About the job

Job summary

GDS exists to help government make brilliant public services that empower people in the UK. We work at the very centre of government to drive digital transformation, focused on users. We build and maintain common platforms, products and tools for others to use and create great public services that are accessible, inclusive and easy to use. We also work with departments to identify patterns, share learning and create change to make government more efficient.

Our teams are organised around delivering on our priorities. These are:

• making it easier for people to find what they are looking for on GOV.UK
• building common service platforms to make it simpler and cheaper to build quality digital services
• promoting agile, user-centred design practices both in the UK and across the world

This role is based in the Business and People Services (BPS) directorate which provides the essential services and support that GDS teams need to deliver the government's digital transformation agenda and make sure everything we do is aligned to our mission. 

Reporting to the G6 Head of Delivery Coordination Unit, you will be responsible for monitoring and managing BPS-specific processes and data to ensure the directorate is running smoothly.

Job description

As a Business Manager you’ll:

• Resource Management: ensure headcount data is accurate and resourcing requirements are met by managing the recruitment process for civil servants and contingent labour, where appropriate, in BPS
• Risk management: ensure BPS-specific risks are recorded and reviewed throughout the year
• support the annual business planning process
• ensure the production and delivery of high-quality performance reports on a regular basis, using agreed methodologies and ensuring that the evidence is accurate and reliable
• support SCS and heads of teams to review and improve processes
• work with other business managers to share best practice, in particular working closely with the Cyber & Tech business support manager 

Person specification

We’re interested in people who:

• have previous experience or an good understanding of business management processes and best practice
• have excellent attention to detail and data literacy skills, with the ability to organise, analyse and communicate numerical information in a clear and understandable way
• have knowledge or an understanding of finance, procurement and commercial management best practice
• can build and maintain excellent relationships among colleagues and stakeholders
• are able to advise on continuously changing workstreams, including influencing busy colleagues and senior stakeholders
• can cope well with change and are resilient
• have experience of handling sensitive information, displaying tact and diplomacy, and maintaining confidentiality.

Benefits

The benefits of working at GDS

There are many benefits of working at GDS, including:

• flexible hybrid working with flexi-time and the option to work part-time or condensed hours
• a Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• 25 days of annual leave, increasing by a day each year up to a maximum of 30 days
• an extra day off for The King’s birthday
• an in-year bonus scheme to recognise high performance
• career progression and coaching, including a training budget for personal development
• paid volunteering leave
• a focus on wellbeing with access to an employee assistance programme
• job satisfaction from making government services easier to use and more inclusive for people across the UK
• advances on pay, including for travel season tickets
• death in service benefits
• cycle to work scheme and facilities
• access to children's holiday play schemes across different locations in central London
• access to an employee discounts scheme
• 10 learning days per year
• volunteering opportunities (5 special leave days per year)
• access to a suite of learning activities through Civil Service learning

GDS offers hybrid working for all employees. This means that everyone does some working from home and also spends some time in their local office. You’ll agree to your hybrid working arrangement with your line manager in line with your preferences and business needs.

Any move to Government Digital Service from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Things you need to know

Selection process details

The standard selection process for roles at GDS consists of:

• a simple application screening process - We only ask for a CV. You will also need to answer three application questions based on the person specification. For your application to progress please use specific and personal examples in your response to the application questions. 
• a 45-minute video interview

Failure to submit your CV and complete the application questions sufficiently may result in your application being unsuccessful.

In the event we receive a high number of applications, we will conduct an initial sift on the lead criteria which is: 

• have previous experience or an good understanding of business management processes and best practice

Depending on how many applications we get, there might also be an extra stage before the video interview, for example a phone interview or a technical exercise.

Recruitment Timeline:

Role Opens: 15/04/2024

Role Closes: 22/04/2024

Sift will be completed by: 26/04/2024

Interview date: W/C 06/05/2024

In the Civil Service, we use Success Profiles to evaluate your skills and ability. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, increases performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. We’ll be assessing your technical abilities, skills, experience and behaviours that are relevant to this role.

For this role we’ll be assessing you against the following Civil Service Behaviours: 

• making effective decisions
• communicating and influencing
• managing a quality service
• delivering at pace

Candidates that do not pass the interview but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.

A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.