Senior Delivery Manager
Department for Education
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
Our Division
Teacher Services is a cross cutting division supporting digital services across multiple areas within the two Teacher Workforce Directorates, these are:
- Candidates, Trainees, Strategy, Portfolio and Analysis (CaTSPA)
- Teachers and Tutors (TaT)
We are an empowered, multidisciplinary team with a passion for delivering digital services to provide great teachers. We have strategic oversight over the whole digital teaching journey from becoming a teacher to continued professional development. We focus on how digital services, combined with bold policy making, can solve problems in teacher recruitment, retention, professional development, and more.
We bring together policy and delivery to build effective user-centred services. You can read about our teacher retention ambitions in our teacher recruitment and retention strategy.
You can read more about our strategy and the work that we do on the DfE digital and technology blog.
Job description
This is not a traditional project management role. We are looking for two experienced Senior Delivery Managers who are passionate about user-centred design and enjoys working on services across the full life-cycle from discovery to live.
As a delivery manager you will be responsible for the effective delivery of one or more complex digital services, managing end-to-end delivery from inception (discovery) through to live service. You will lead a multidisciplinary agile team made up of internal digital specialists and external suppliers, working with stakeholders at all levels. You’ll be adept at delivering complex digital services, breaking down barriers for your team and both planning at a higher level and getting into the details to make things happen when needed. You will work closely with policy teams, commercial teams and analysts – who are passionate about the work they do and are committed to delivering exemplary policies and services to their users.
As a Senior Delivery Manager, you will:
- Deliver products and services with an agile mindset, employing frameworks, tools and techniques that are appropriate and coaching the team and individuals to iterate frequently and continuously improve.
- Coach delivery team members and others to apply the most appropriate agile and learn tools and techniques.
- Work with managed service/contingent labour team members as a part of your multidisciplinary team, ensuring adherence to our way of working and are integrated into and participate in the wider delivery team activities.
- Lead the collaborative dynamic planning process and prioritise work that needs to be done against the capacity and capability of the team. Ensure the team remains focused on those priorities.
- Identify obstacles and help the team to overcome them.
- Work with your product manager and wider team to define the roadmap for any given product and translate this into an achievable backlog.
- Be responsible for resource planning, budgeting and forecasting at each stage of the produce life cycle.
- Ensure all products are built to meet digital and security standards at each phase of delivery (Discovery, Alpha, Beta, Live), acting as a champion for user needs and quality standards.
- Actively participate in the delivery manager community, sharing skills and knowledge and ensuring in best practice.
Person specification
Essential Criteria:
- A track record of delivering digital services at pace in complex environments across multiple phases.
- Experience of leading and delivery using a range of agile / lean tools and techniques, to empower agile teams to be self-organising, inclusive and continuously improving.
- The ability to manage successful, motivated multi-disciplinary delivery teams with an understanding of team styles and how people work together.
- Experience of maintaining delivery momentum and unblocking issues to optimise the delivery flow of teams.
- Experience in delivering successful digital products and services to standards (such as GDS service standards).
- The ability to communicate effectively across organisational, technical and non-technical audiences including the ability to mediate and mend relationships within your team, whist engaging and managing the expectations of stakeholders at all levels.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to build trust while delivering difficult messages, influencing when required, and managing stakeholder expectations.
- Experience in planning, forecasting, estimating and delivering in an often uncertain and fast changing environment.
In the event of a large number of applications, we will sift on the first two essential criteria.
Further information can be found on the DDaT Capability Framework
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
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Strengths and Experience.Application
To apply for this role you will be required to provide a CV and Statement of Suitability. We will use your CV and statement to assess your suitability for the role against the essential criteria listed in the person specification above.
Your CV should include details of your employment history highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements relevant for this role and how they align with the essential criteria.
Your Statement of Suitability (max 750 words) should include details of how you meet the essential criteria detailed in the person specification including examples of evidence. Please adhere to the word count limit as anything over 750 words will not be taken into account.
In the event of a large number of applications, we will sift on the first two essential criteria.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.
Interview
Candidates successful at sift stage will be invited to an interview, which will be held via Microsoft Teams.
You will also be required to complete a short task prior to your interview and present your findings to the panel. You will have 10 minutes to present, followed by a short Q&A before your interview questions will begin. The details of the task will be released at a later date.
At interview you will be asked questions to assess your experience in line with the essential criteria above and suitability for the role.
We will also ask you some strength based questions.
If you have any questions regarding the selection or application process, please do not hesitate to contact teacher.services@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
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.