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- Tasks: Lead the reliability and improvement of key business applications in a hybrid/remote setting.
- Company: Join the Disclosure and Barring Service, crucial for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults across the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 25-30 days annual leave, and a generous Civil Service pension.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on public safety while thriving in a collaborative and inclusive culture.
- Qualifications: Experience in digital delivery, Agile methodologies, and user-centred design is essential.
- Other info: SC clearance required; remote work available with occasional office attendance.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Location: Liverpool, Darlington, Hybrid / Remote
Help us transform how safeguarding services are delivered across the UK.
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) plays a vital role in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults by helping employers make safer recruitment decisions. As part of our ongoing transformation, were strengthening the technology that underpins this mission, and creating new roles to help us run it better.
Were looking for Lead Application Operations Engineers to take ownership of key business applications and ensure they deliver stable, secure, and evolving services that meet the needs of our users and teams.
About the roles
These are trusted delivery roles within our Technology and Innovation Directorate, created to support DBSs shift from legacy systems to a modern, cloud-based environment.
Each engineer is responsible for the day-to-day reliability, improvement, and future direction of key business applications. These roles carry significant responsibility and visibility, particularly during periods of service disruption, change, or transformation.
Working closely with service owners, DevOps teams, product managers and other specialists, you\’ll help ensure the applications you support are resilient, secure, and aligned with wider service goals. Whether focused on integration, case management, or digital evidence platforms, your work will directly impact how DBS delivers critical safeguarding services to the public.
About you:
These roles are ideal for a delivery professionals who thrive on complexity and understand how to lead teams through ambiguity. Youll be given the space to shape delivery approaches, influence cross-government working practices, and help embed a culture of continuous improvement and agile thinking across DBS. Youll also play a key part in strengthening our delivery profession internally, supporting capability building, mentoring peers, and sharing best practice.
Youll bring significant experience of digital delivery in technical environments, with a strong grasp of Agile and Lean methodologies, tooling (such as Jira and Confluence), and user-centred design principles. Youll be confident engaging across a range of technical and non-technical stakeholders, able to align delivery with both operational needs and wider policy context. Experience within the public sector or similarly regulated environments is desirable, but not essential.
Why choose a career at the Disclosure and Barring Service:
At DBS, we are proud of the work we do and the people we work with. Our culture values collaboration, inclusion, and professionalism. We offer flexibility, trust and room to grow, recognising our people require support, not just responsibility.
Benefits include:
- Civil Service pension with generous employer contributions
- 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 days with service, plus public holidays
- Flexible and hybrid working options, including remote working
- A supportive and inclusive organisational culture
- Ongoing learning and professional development opportunities
Remote working is available for this role. Office attendance (Liverpool or Darlington) may be required in accordance with business needs.
How to apply
To learn more about the individual roles and choose the one that best matches your expertise, please click on the apply button.
Monday 4th August (closes at 10am)
Sift to take place: The initial sift to shortlist applications is the week commencing: Monday 4th August 2025.
Interviews are due to take place the week commencing: Monday 11th August 2025
Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams.
Whilst we will endeavour to provide some flexibility with regards to dates wherever possible, it is unlikely that we will be able to offer an alternative date once an appointment has been scheduled
**SC clearance level is a requirement for this role.**
You must meet the security requirements before you can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check.
For meaningful checks to be carried out, you will need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time, to enable appropriate checks to be carried out and produce a result which provides the required level of assurance. Whilst a lack of UK residency in itself is not necessarily a bar to a security clearance, and expectation of UK residency may range from 3 to 5 years. Failure to meet the residency requirements needed for the role may result in the withdrawal of provisional jobs offers.
The DBS is an accredited Disability Confident Employer, and we are an equal opportunities employer, welcoming suitably qualified applicants from all backgrounds. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission\’s recruitment principles.
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Lead Application Operations Engineers employer: Disclosure & Barring Service
Contact Detail:
Disclosure & Barring Service Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Application Operations Engineers
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific technologies and methodologies mentioned in the job description, such as Agile, Lean, Jira, and Confluence. Being able to discuss your experience with these tools during interviews will demonstrate your readiness for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) on platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging with them can provide you with insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable during your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss how you've led teams through complex projects in the past. Highlighting your leadership skills and ability to navigate ambiguity will resonate well with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the current trends and challenges in safeguarding services within the UK. Being knowledgeable about the sector will not only help you in interviews but also show your genuine interest in the role and its impact on public safety.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Application Operations Engineers
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Lead Application Operations Engineer position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role's focus on digital delivery, Agile methodologies, and user-centred design.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your significant experience in technical environments, particularly in digital delivery. Mention any specific tools you've used, such as Jira and Confluence, and provide examples of how you've led teams through complex projects.
Showcase Your Soft Skills: The role requires strong communication and collaboration skills. Use your application to demonstrate your ability to engage with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Share examples of how you've influenced cross-team working practices or mentored peers.
Follow Application Instructions: Make sure to follow the application instructions carefully. Submit all required documents, including your CV and cover letter, through our website before the deadline. Double-check for any specific requirements mentioned in the job description.
How to prepare for a job interview at Disclosure & Barring Service
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Make sure you have a clear understanding of what the Lead Application Operations Engineer role entails. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, such as ensuring application reliability and security, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with these expectations.
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience with Agile and Lean methodologies, as well as any relevant tools like Jira and Confluence. Highlight specific projects where you've successfully implemented these practices, demonstrating your ability to lead teams through complex technical challenges.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves working closely with various stakeholders, it's crucial to showcase your collaboration skills. Share examples of how you've effectively engaged with both technical and non-technical teams in the past, and how you can contribute to a culture of continuous improvement at DBS.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities during service disruptions or changes. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully navigated ambiguity and led your team to achieve positive outcomes.
