Planning Delivery Officer in Manchester

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) provides a pay range based on skills and experience. DWP's Finance Group comprises several directorates, including Central Analysis and Science Directorate, Contract Management and Partner Delivery, Commercial Directorate, Payments, Systems and Financial Control, Security and Data Protection, Strategic Finance, and Resilience and Risk.

The Strategic Finance directorate is responsible for leading DWP's financial strategy and fiscal events, developing the outcome delivery plan, and measuring performance against it. The Departmental Planning and Performance team sits in the Strategic Finance Directorate and is directly responsible for coordinating DWP's Departmental Plan and assessing its deliverability.

Working with Senior Managers within the Departmental Planning and Performance team, the main elements of this role will include:

• Supporting the maintenance and updating of the department-wide performance dashboard, including commissioning data, managing the datastore, and managing the comments tracker.
• Acting as the conduit between report authors in the team and Digital developers to deliver improvements on products.
• Supporting the delivery of performance reporting and the effective use of resources by managing the team plan, coordinating the dashboard production timeline, and booking senior leaders' quality assurance slots.
• Supporting assessments of the deliverability of department-wide activities through the annual planning cycle and at key fiscal/policy change events.
• Supporting the development of the Departmental Plan through project coordination, assimilation of materials, and stakeholder management.
• Leading on aspects of corporate team planning and updating and monitoring healthy team indicators.
• Working with the wider DPP team to strengthen and build effective mechanisms for joining up work across all branches of DPP.
• Supporting DPP communications work, ensuring the wider Department understands the Departmental Plan and the role of the DPP team.
• Designing and drafting compelling and accurate products using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Assisting with ongoing management and input to DPP's programme of work, including administrative tasks such as setting up meetings and collating agendas.

This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part from home. The number of days anyone can work at home will be determined primarily by business need, but personal circumstances will also be taken into account. This role can only be delivered from the UK.

For these vacancies, applicants are advised to consult with an immigration specialist or qualified advisor to assess their eligibility for Visa Sponsorship before applying. While sponsorship requests are considered in accordance with current DWP guidance and Home Office policy, it cannot be guaranteed.

Locations: Candidates will be asked for preferences for up to 3 locations. For candidates requesting to work in Newcastle, this role will be based at Benton Park View from September 2025, and then at 1 Pilgrim Place in Newcastle city centre by the end of 2027.

Selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit, based on fair and open competition. Successful candidates will be posted in merit order based on location preferences and the geographical requirements of the business. Some travel may be required, but individuals' circumstances will be taken into account.

Person Specification

A strong candidate for this role should demonstrate the following essential criteria:

• Previous experience in supporting cross-functional stakeholder commissions to support the production of briefings, reports, and/or presentations.
• Skilled in building strong relationships, engaging effectively, and influencing a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Adapts quickly and effectively in dynamic, sometimes ambiguous environments.
• Works flexibly across teams to manage resource peaks, balancing Planning Delivery & Engagement (50%) and Performance (50%).
• Thrives in fast-paced, ambiguous environments, balancing multiple priorities.
• Proactive problem solver who challenges constructively and drives process improvements.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and experienced in using MS Teams Planner.
• Ability to coordinate and lead projects and processes, with an understanding of how both project and advising/briefing processes work.