At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead critical teams in the Civil Service, driving reform and innovation.
- Company: Join a pivotal role within the Civil Service Strategy Unit.
- Benefits: Opportunity for significant exposure to senior officials and career development.
- Why this job: Be a catalyst for change and make a real impact on government reform.
- Qualifications: Exceptional problem-solving, analytical skills, and experience in stakeholder management.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on team leadership and wellbeing.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
This is a pivotal and highly influential leadership opportunity for a creative and delivery-focused Deputy Director. You will be responsible for leading two of the most critical functions within the Civil Service Strategy Unit: the Engagement Team and the Experimentation and Openness Team.
Deputy Director roles within the CSSU are stretching and developmental. As a small team in the Centre, the role holder will have significant exposure to senior officials and Ministers and need to navigate government. Their success will in part be down to their approaches, their network and the way they build an empowered and talented team around them.
Your primary role is to act as a catalyst for a movement of reform across the Civil Service, ensuring that the government's reform agenda is understood, bought into, and tested in a rigorous and evidence-based way. You will be a key driver of cultural change and innovation, helping leaders understand their role in a Productive and Agile State and civil service reform strategy.
By your nature, you will be an agile problem solver, able to quickly define the problem through data and analysis, developing options and communicating recommendations. You will develop and successfully deliver a triage approach to new work requests, assessing through scoping their impact, effort and your ability to influence. You will ensure a stretching yet achievable 'stack' of experiments which are carefully phased over quarters to ensure deliverability.
You will be a visible role model of reform - utilising new technology, ways of working, outcome focused delivery and user-centric design - all in the aim of higher productivity and increased outcomes for the public. Your team will reflect your role modelling, including in terms of being a thoughtful, collaborative, corporately-minded and caring leader.
Person Specification
It is important that, through your CV and supporting statement, you provide evidence of the professional skills, breadth of experience and personal qualities for this post.
- Exceptional flexibility and agility, with the ability to respond to new and changing strategic priorities. This includes the ability to create clarity in ambiguity by working iteratively on proposals and solutions, often in a sprint-based approach.
- We require critical problem-solving skills to perform effectively in a complex environment and a proven capacity for influencing and delivering through others to ensure strategic objectives are met.
- Analytical thinking: You will be highly proficient in gathering, analysing, and interpreting both quantitative and qualitative data. You'll use data to form evidence-based conclusions and recommendations.
- Senior Stakeholder Management & Influence: Exceptional skills in engaging with and influencing very senior leaders e.g. C-suite, Board, Ministers, Senior government officials etc and inspiring them to champion reform.
- Innovation & Delivery: A track record of successfully leading large-scale engagement programmes and experimentation initiatives, driving both cultural change and evidence-based reform.
- Team Leadership: Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop leaders and multi-disciplinary teams; also leading in an approachable, thoughtful and caring way that develops people and looks after their wellbeing.
Deputy Director, Experimentation, Systems and Enablement in London employer: Cabinet Office
Contact Detail:
Cabinet Office Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Director, Experimentation, Systems and Enablement in London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in your industry! Attend events, webinars, or even casual meet-ups. The more you engage with others, the better your chances of landing that Deputy Director role.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back! Share your experiences and how you've tackled complex problems. Make sure they see you as the agile problem solver they need.
✨Be a Thought Leader
Share your insights on platforms like LinkedIn or during discussions. Position yourself as someone who understands the nuances of civil service reform and innovation. This will help you stand out as a candidate who can drive change.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Director, Experimentation, Systems and Enablement in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Leadership Skills: Make sure to highlight your experience in leading teams and driving change. We want to see how you've inspired others and navigated complex environments, so share specific examples that showcase your leadership style.
Be Data-Driven: Since this role involves a lot of analytical thinking, don’t shy away from showcasing your ability to gather and interpret data. We love candidates who can back up their recommendations with solid evidence, so include any relevant metrics or outcomes from your past work.
Tailor Your Application: Take the time to tailor your CV and supporting statement to the job description. We’re looking for specific skills and experiences that align with the role, so make it easy for us to see why you’re a perfect fit!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates about the role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cabinet Office
✨Understand the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the job description and the key responsibilities of the Deputy Director role. Familiarise yourself with the Civil Service Strategy Unit's objectives and how your skills can contribute to their reform agenda.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare specific examples that demonstrate your critical problem-solving abilities. Think about times when you've navigated complex situations or influenced senior stakeholders, and be ready to discuss how you approached these challenges.
✨Engage with Data
Since analytical thinking is crucial for this role, come prepared to discuss how you've used data to inform decisions in the past. Be ready to explain your process for gathering, analysing, and interpreting both quantitative and qualitative data.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Style
Reflect on your leadership approach and be prepared to share how you motivate and develop teams. Highlight instances where you've led with empathy and care, as well as how you've fostered a collaborative environment to drive cultural change.