About the job

Job summary

We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates   

At DfE, we are proud of the commitment we make to diversity and inclusion and of the progress we have made. We have active & vibrant staff networks,  special leave policies and workplace adjustments put in place for those who need them. We are continuing to build a diverse DfE, in an inclusive environment which nurtures and realises potential in all, at all levels.  

Equality and Diversity - Department for Education 

The Deputy Director of National Operations is a pivotal member of the senior leadership team of the Schools Financial Support & Oversight (SFSO) directorate. It brings together central teams to develop and deliver excellent national support for SFSO.​​

The division is responsible for operational policy and guidance and setting operational frameworks for academies financial support, oversight and compliance; alongside critical core directorate services such as quality and timely briefing, data and governance and the SFSO Director’s office.​

The division comprises 3 G6 led units:​

• Financial Support & Strategy Unit (FSSU):  This three G7-led unit focusses on operational policy and strategy across SFSO, working across the organisation to ensure the territorial case leads and DfE’s Regions Group project leads have a framework to work within that reflects the academies policy and the requirements of the Academy Trust Handbook.​
• Core Operations, Performance and Support (COPS):  This two G7-led unit has a broad remit across National Operations and SFSO, looking to ensure briefing, directorate performance and support activities support the directorate’s strategic narrative as well as this being underpinned by robust, consistent data.  This unit also covers SFSO Director’s and National Operations Deputy Director’s offices.​
• Financial Compliance Policy Unit (FCPU):  This two G7-led unit is responsible for setting the operational policy frameworks that maximise academy trust compliance, delivered through robust operational policy that both represents Minister’s priorities and supports SFSO operational delivery teams.​

Job description

The Deputy Director will be responsible for leading 42 people across 5 locations. The division’s role is to develop clear policy and operational processes which support academy trusts to be compliant and financially strong. The division also leads the directorate governance, including risk and performance management, data, and systems, alongside briefing and Department of State Function (DoSF) business.

Your job will be to provide the highest quality of visible leadership to the division, leading work across the division’s portfolio to ensure: the directorate is coordinated and well governed; that operational teams are supported and able to work consistently; and that internal and external stakeholders are engaged in the work of the directorate.

You will lead a diverse division spread across multiple DfE sites, working with a range of stakeholders in the education and skills sector. You will empower your teams to deal with a range of complex and often urgent work. You will support and develop your team, building their capability and expertise and ensuring the highest standards of operational delivery. The role will include playing a wider part in the Education and Skills Funding Agency Senior Civil Service (SCS) leadership, working across directorates on areas of shared interest and corporate leadership.

Person specification

The successful candidate will: ​​

• Lead National Operations effectively, including developing a high performing and engaged senior team and ensuring stability and direction for all colleagues, so they feel fully motivated, engaged, and understand the purpose and the role they play;​
• Act as a key interface with the National Audit Office (NAO), Public Accounts Committee (PAC), and other external stakeholders in the sector to ensure strong relationships, aligned interests where possible, and effective joint working;​
• Oversee briefing, including to PAC and NAO, responding to Ministerial requests and DoSF business, including wider triage across the agency;​
• Drive forward relevant policy interests to ensure that we can take forward the operational delivery as effectively as possible through proactively pursuing opportunities to improve policy where it will lead to more effective operational delivery;​
• Lead the Directorates simplification programme, working with the sector and across DfE to reduce burdens on academy trusts and maintain proportionate oversight. ​
• Oversee the Directorate’s governance, including delivery and strategy boards, performance and risk reporting and is aligned with the ESFA corporate governance, including the business plan. You will help shape our priorities and key performance indicators (KPIs), so they are focused on and measure the right things; ​
• Demonstrate excellent judgement and provide a powerful contribution as part of the group’s leadership team taking your corporate responsibilities seriously to make an impact outside of your main responsibilities; ​
• Provide excellent clear and supportive leadership to your teams, building capability while managing the efficient deployment of your resources (people and financial) to deliver your work programme; and ​
• Contribute and help to shape the wider Directorate as a Senior Management Team (SMT) member. This is both through collective leadership of the Directorate and by meeting regularly with ESFA/DfE Senior Civil Servants (SCS) to drive forward collaborative working on shared interests and the agency's strategic purpose. 

Applicants will be assessed against the following essential criteria. 

• Proven experience of operating at a senior level in a highly political environment with the ability and strategic outlook to ensure the strategic and political context is considered when making decisions
• Track record in making good decisions based on the information available which commands the confidence of Ministers or senior civil servants, demonstrating sound judgement as well as the ability to learn and improve.
• Proven ability to manage change and lead teams through new challenges and issues as they arrive, navigating an often fast-changing and complex context.
• Track record of delivering high quality outcomes by leading teams and coaching individuals to deliver a complex and high-profile agenda.

Benefits

Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies.

As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK, with an average employer contribution of 27%.

You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years’ service. In addition, all staff receive the King's Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days’ bank and public holidays.

We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.

Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role. 

Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered. 

 As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

Application

To apply for this role, you will be asked to provide:

1. A CV setting out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role, together with reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
2. A Statement of Suitability (no longer than 2 sides or 1,000 words) explaining how your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria provided in the person specification section above.

It is important that, through your CV and Statement of Suitability, you provide evidence and examples of proven experience for each of the selection criteria detailed.

If applicant numbers are excessive, preliminary sifting will be done using only the first criteria.

Shortlisted candidates:

Following an initial sift, the panel will shortlist candidates for interview. The formal panel interview is likely to be held on 11th March 2024 and 18th March 2024, to be held face to face in London.

You will be asked to prepare a presentation for the interview (further information will be shared with shortlisted candidates) and you will be asked questions to further assess your experience and skills.

As part of the recruitment process, we may request references.

For an accessible version of the candidate pack, please contact scs.recruitment@education.gov.uk

Other Information

We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.

The government is committed to supporting apprenticeships, enabling people to learn and progress in a role whilst earning. We want to monitor the number of people who have completed apprenticeships who are now applying to progress further in their career and are asking this question to all candidates, on all vacancies. You will be asked a question as part of the application process about any previous apprenticeships you have completed. Your response to this question will not affect your application and it is not a requirement of the role to have completed a previous apprenticeship.  

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFE@education.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. 

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs

Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.

Reasonable adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Department of Education via centralrecruitment.operations@education.gov.uk soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming 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/

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. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.