We are looking for a brilliant leader who has excellent skills in delivering priorities and change across an organisation and a track record in building and leading motivated, diverse and skilled teams. You will need to be enthusiastic about working in partnership and through others and be comfortable working with Senior Executive and Non-Executive stakeholders. 

As the Deputy Director for Governance, Assurance and Partnerships you will be responsible for leading a team of ~20 individuals and have day to day responsibility for running the corporate operations of the department on behalf of the Chief Operating Officer and Accounting Officer.  

You will be a key player in our Senior Leadership Team, working collaboratively to improve the corporate centre of the organisation.  We are looking for a senior leader who is:

• Highly credible with excellent stakeholder skills and an ability to influence others
• A people leader, who will lead with vulnerability, nurturing those around them to develop a high performing diverse team of specialists and helping the department grow talented and capable civil servants

Responsibilities

The Governance, Assurance & Partnerships Division is a well-established and high-performing division within Central Operations directorate. As head of the division, you will be responsible for a wide portfolio of corporate functions, ensuring they continually meet the needs of the department. The post holder will be specifically responsible for:

• Corporate Governance – Driving effective governance throughout the department. Ensuring governance structures are in place and that they effectively support the delivery of strategic objectives. In particular, supporting Future DfE on how governance can support our future operating model. Provide well run and professional secretariat services to a number of Leadership Team Sub-Committees.
• Investment Management – Lead the department’s approach to investment appraisal by setting policies and procedures for how business cases are produced and assured. Work closely with wider corporate functions to ensure the Investment Committee and other controls are reflective of the departments risk appetite.
  
• Public Bodies – Leadership of our strategy and approach to public bodies by developing strong relationships with our ALBs who are integrated into the department and the achievement of our objectives. Work closely with the Cabinet Office to drive forward the next stages of the Government’s public bodies strategy and programme of ALB reviews. 
  
• ESFA Sponsorship - Lead the ESFA sponsorship function in line with Cabinet Office Sponsorship Code of Practice and developing strong relationships with ESFA to support the delivery of their Business Plan. Lead on the implementation of the recommendations from the ALB review.

Applicants will be assessed against the following essential criteria. 

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. 

• You will have experience of delivering complex change across multiple functions in tandem to deliver organisational wide initiatives 
• You will be experienced at decision-making in complex environments, with strong professional judgement, and the ability to take others through a complex landscape of information.
• You will have excellent influencing and communication skills, able to be a credible partner to peers across the department and a trusted adviser to senior stakeholders (executive and non-executive)
• You will have a proven track-record of leadership of multi-site, diverse, delivery-focussed teams, getting the best from your people by creating an inclusive and supportive culture

We also expect candidates to be able to demonstrate the following desirable criteria:

• You will have demonstrated awareness in running a corporate governance systems across Central Government
• You will have demonstrated awareness of the requirements set out in Central Government Codes of Practice, including; HMT Green Book, Corporate Governance Code of Practice, Partnerships with ALBs Code of Practice, and Sponsorship Code of Practice.

Desirable criteria will only be assessed in the event of a tie break situation to make an informed decision.

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. 

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.

How to Apply

Follow the link below for more information on the position, and to begin your application:

https://www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/index.cgi?SID=dXNlcnNlYXJjaGNvbnRleHQ9NDMyMzk3MTEmcGFnZWFjdGlvbj12aWV3dmFjYnlqb2JsaXN0JnNlYXJjaHBhZ2U9MSZqb2JsaXN0X3ZpZXdfdmFjPTE4NjU2MzYmc2VhcmNoc29ydD1zY29yZSZvd25lcnR5cGU9ZmFpciZvd25lcj01MDcwMDAwJnBhZ2VjbGFzcz1Kb2JzJnJlcXNpZz0xNjg5NzU1ODk3LTI1NjNjNmU1NWM0NWM0ZjY4ZDIyNGIxYWIyMDEzNTdmMDI0OGY5Y2Y=