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- Tasks: Lead impactful policies for youth and civil society, driving major government projects.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at DCMS focused on youth and community development.
- Benefits: Flexible working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people and communities across the UK.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership skills and experience in policy development and strategic management.
- Other info: Attend an info session to learn more about this exciting role!
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 117800 £ per year.
Working pattern: Flexible working, Full-time, Job share
Contract type: Permanent, Secondment
Job summary
We are running an information session where prospective applicants can find out more about the role. This will be hosted by Becky Morrison, Director Civil Society & Youth, and will take place virtually on:
- Friday 20 March 10:30
The session will be an opportunity to hear more about the role, the team and the department. It will also be an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have about the application, and the interview and assessment process.
Please register your interest before 16:00, Thursday 19th March by filling out this form and you will be sent an invitation. Invites will only be sent after this deadline has passed.
This will take place virtually, via Google Meets. If you wish to attend the session anonymously, and you are using a google email address to join, please ensure that you have changed how your name appears before joining the call. Please note that the session will not be recorded.
The Director for Civil Society & Youth at DCMS is a varied and challenging leadership role driving delivery of high profile policy areas and programmes included in the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) that are critical to our Ministers’ priorities and the wider Government agenda.
The successful candidate will:
- Lead on charity law and regulation and sponsorship of the Charity Commission, the charity regulator; lead VCSE (voluntary, community and social enterprise) policy and the government’s relationships with these sectors; lead policy on volunteering and tackling loneliness.
- Lead sponsorship of The National Lottery Community Fund (c£800m p/a of lottery good causes) and the Dormant Assets scheme (£1bn to date to good causes, in partnership with the Financial Services industry and HM Treasury).
- Act as the Senior Responsible Officer for the Youth Capital Portfolio, a £500m+ GMPP portfolio comprising several capital infrastructure programmes, building, refurbishing and equipping youth centres.
- Lead policy for youth services and cross-government approach to young people, and lead government’s relationship with the youth sector. Lead delivery of the National Youth Strategy, government’s 10-year plan for young people.
- Ensure successful delivery of multiple place-based youth services programmes, including grant-funding and working with Local Authorities. Lead delivery of 50 Young Futures Hubs, a cross-government manifesto commitment.
- Act as the Senior Responsible Officer for the Better Futures Fund, a £500m+ innovative GMPP programme that will lift 20,000 children out of poverty through social outcomes partnerships, in line with the Child Poverty Strategy; lead policy on impact investing, social impact investing and philanthropy.
Person specification
The ideal candidate would have the following key skills and experience, please note that desirable skills will only be used in the event of tied candidates:
- Leadership: a proven record of driving performance across large, multi-disciplinary and dispersed teams. You will evidence a commitment to fostering inclusive cultures and providing the visible, system-wide presence necessary to align diverse national stakeholders and partners behind a shared mission.
- Strategic vision and sector insight: an exceptional strategic thinker with a history of developing innovative, evidence-based policy and long-term strategies. You possess the foresight to anticipate future trends in the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise and youth sectors, translating complex priorities into impactful national delivery.
- Major portfolio delivery and accountability: a delivery-focused leader with extensive experience in the strategic oversight of high-profile, complex portfolios. Must be able to evidence an ability to act as a Senior Responsible Officer (SRO), demonstrating the resilience to ensure accountability for capital or grant-funded programmes while sustaining momentum and quality across competing workstreams.
- Strategic relationship management: an authoritative and collaborative leader with the professional authority to influence at the highest levels, leveraging outstanding communication and negotiation skills to secure and sustain the cross-sector partnerships essential for delivering complex organisational objectives.
- Financial responsibility: a proven track record of managing significant budgets and complex investment frameworks. You will ensure robust financial risk oversight and value for money across innovative funding models, including social impact investing and philanthropy.
- Understanding and experience of the charity and/or youth sectors and/or the impact economy
- Understanding and experience of place-based delivery, either through Local Authorities or other local partners.
Director, Civil Society and Youth in England employer: Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Contact Detail:
Department for Culture, Media and Sport Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Civil Society and Youth in England
✨Tip Number 1
Join the information session! It’s a great chance to hear directly from Becky Morrison about the role and ask any burning questions. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for the position.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees in similar roles. They can give you insider tips on what the team values and how to stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by researching the latest trends in the charity and youth sectors. Being knowledgeable about current issues will help you impress the panel with your strategic vision.
✨Tip Number 4
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 Director, Civil Society and Youth in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get to Know the Role: Before you dive into your application, make sure to attend the information session hosted by Becky Morrison. It’s a great chance to get the lowdown on what the role really entails and ask any burning questions you might have.
Tailor Your Application: When writing your application, be sure to highlight your leadership experience and strategic vision. Use examples that showcase your ability to manage complex portfolios and drive performance across teams, as these are key for this role.
Showcase Your Sector Insight: Don’t forget to demonstrate your understanding of the charity and youth sectors. Share any relevant experiences or insights that show you’re not just familiar with the landscape but also passionate about making an impact.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people and helps us keep track of all applications efficiently. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Department for Culture, Media and Sport
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the role and its responsibilities. Familiarise yourself with charity law, youth services, and the specific programmes mentioned in the job description. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show your genuine interest in the position.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in managing diverse teams and driving performance. Think about times when you've fostered inclusive cultures or aligned stakeholders behind a common goal. Be ready to discuss how you can bring this experience to the Director role.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Be prepared to discuss your strategic vision for the civil society and youth sectors. Think about future trends and how you would translate complex priorities into actionable strategies. This is your chance to showcase your innovative thinking and evidence-based policy development skills.
✨Engage with Questions
During the information session and interview, don’t hesitate to ask insightful questions. This shows your engagement and helps you understand the role better. Consider asking about the challenges the team currently faces or how success is measured in this position.