Lead Estimator in Birmingham

The successful candidate will be required to hold or undergo Security Check (SC) level clearance.

Insight into GCA - Webinar: Watch our Webinar on the above link and gain valuable insight into GCA and our recruitment processes.

Are you interested in the opportunity to develop and deliver policy improvements which will influence spend across the whole public sector? Do you want to implement best practice, build capability and drive value for money across HM Government?

Job Summary: This role sits within the Markets, Sourcing and Suppliers (MSS) team, a team of almost 100 commercial, policy, finance and project delivery professionals who deliver outstanding public services and projects in partnership with the public, private and third sectors. You will be developing and delivering policy updates, training and On The Shoulder Support (OTSS) relating to Estimating and Should Cost Modelling. You may also work on government priorities like the Public Interest Test, deliver training to SCS, and support a new pilot training programme for the Ministry of Defence - all in a day. This role is varied and fast moving, you will need to be engaged, curious and ready for any challenge.

Key Accountabilities:

• Lead and guide team members, manage performance to ensure a high-performing team, and support staff development through regular feedback.
• Lead on the improvement and update of estimating policy and guidance and provide SME (Subject Matter Expertise) on technical processes to wider policy teams.
• Deliver a range of training courses relating to the estimating process to a wider variety of x-Government stakeholders including commercial, contract management, policy, finance, programme and project management colleagues, from Ministers down.
• Assist in the delivery of the government-wide estimating framework, methodologies, tools and templates.
• Create adhoc, bespoke modelling guidance using the specific context and needs of each stakeholder and deliver it to senior civil servants, departmental leads and estimate and model developers ensuring best practice, laid out by the AqUA book is adhered to.
• Provide estimating On The Shoulder Support (OTSS) to departments. This involves coaching and orientation to core Playbook policies and guidance. Through this engagement across Government, the post holder will be expected to support others to facilitate the identification, development and sharing of best practice.

Essential Criteria (to be assessed at application stage):

• Line manager experience / capability.
• Experience of developing and using analytical models and techniques, using spreadsheets, databases, and other pragmatic approaches to solve problems numerically with high proficiency in using MS Excel as an analytical and reporting tool.
• An ability to work with a range of stakeholders, working collaboratively with colleagues from a cross-departmental team, providing clear advice and support and strong customer service and focus on delivery with the ability to respond quickly to changing circumstances and tight timescales.
• Good communication and influencing skills with demonstrated experience of delivering to a variety of stakeholders.
• An ability to work autonomously with little supervision, exercising sound judgement and taking the initiative.
• Understanding of Government project appraisal and evaluation, including the Green Book, Aqua Book, Managing Public Money and Consolidated Budgeting Guidance.

Success Profiles (to be assessed at interview):

• Behaviours: Communicating and Influencing, Leadership, Changing and Improving, Managing a Quality Service.

Valuing our people:

• Competitive salary.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A discretionary non-contractual performance related bonus.
• Working remotely in addition to working in advertised office location.
• Flexi time scheme (available for B1-B6).
• Minimum 25 days annual leave to a maximum service related 30 days excluding bank holidays.

Want to make a difference? Find out more about the rewarding work that we do in our candidate pack.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.

We want to make our recruitment process accessible to everyone, so if there is any way that we can support you, please contact recruitment@gca.gov.uk.

Working flexibly, delivering outcomes:

GCA operates a smarter working model that balances flexibility with collaboration. Successful candidates are expected to spend at least 26 days per quarter (approximately 2 days per week, pro-rata) at their contracted office, another GCA site, or off-site for meetings. For the remainder of the time, you may work from home or another suitable location that meets business needs.

Artificial Intelligence:

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection Process:

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months, which the Civil Service may use to fill future suitably similar vacancies across government for candidates who are considered appointable following interview. Should you be placed on a reserve list and want to be removed please contact recruitment@gca.gov.uk.

Please note that as part of this recruitment process, if you are unsuccessful at the interview stage but are close to the benchmark score you may be considered for and offered a role at a lower pay band within the same job family.

Working for the Civil Service:

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

Complaints Procedure:

Our recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles details of which can be found at Civil Service Commission.

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact recruitment@crowncommercial.gov.uk in the first instance. If you remain unsatisfied with the response you receive you can then contact the Civil Service Commission at info@csc.gov.uk.

Internal candidates should apply using their Workday account. Please use the careers hub for your application.