25.61 Portfolio Manager

Darlington, Liverpool Job Summary This role is responsible for the oversight of the DBS change portfolio, i.e. the Change and Transformation Plan, a collection of programmes and projects that contribute to the delivery of business outcomes and objectives. The role will focus primarily on providing insight, information and support that strengthens portfolio governance and enables prioritisation decisions and effective allocation of resources across the portfolio, converting information into informed insights using appropriate reporting and visualisation methods. Job Description Lead on the analysis and reporting of the DBS change portfolio performance to support effective management of progress, risks and benefits, implementing and managing effective reporting tools including dashboards. Work with the Senior Governance and Assurance Manager to collate data to support the analysis of the change portfolio performance, identifying any trends, gaps and key issues to be escalated. Develop, monitor, and analyse change KPIs to support evaluation of value for money, project delivery performance and resourcing. Maintain the portfolio delivery plan (C&T Plan) and critical path to monitor progress and report issues, ensuring this is updated in line with governance standards, challenging planning assumptions to ensure that plans are realistic and achievable. Recognise and track interdependencies at portfolio level across change projects. Work with the Risk Manager and Senior Governance and Assurance Manager to identify and monitor portfolio risks (threats and opportunities) and escalate as appropriate. Lead and motivate the team and foster high team engagement. Support the wider Change Management and Business Improvement Unit and business, acting as a critical friend and advisor, to support effective planning and performance reporting, building capability and the use of best practice. Provide expert advice for team members and the project community. Lead on identifying options to optimise delivery through resource smoothing, resource levelling and rescheduling of activities. Corporate Duties: Promote within the function a culture of high performance, continuous improvement and innovation that values learning and a commitment to quality. To create positive relationships with all DBS stakeholders through the appropriate management of their expectations and agreed objectives. Be an ambassador for DBS, instilling and maintaining confidence in the external world. As a leader in the Civil Service ‘living the Civil Service values and serving the public’; demonstrating a leadership style and behaviours which reflect those set out in the Civil Service Leadership Statement. As a Leader in DBS, being guided at all times by DBS values; ensuring that day to day behaviours and interactions with colleagues reflect these values. Lead on the analysis and reporting of the DBS change portfolio performance to support effective management of progress, risks and benefits, implementing and managing effective reporting tools including dashboards. Work with the Senior Governance and Assurance Manager to collate data to support the analysis of the change portfolio performance, identifying any trends, gaps and key issues to be escalated. Develop, monitor, and analyse change KPIs to support evaluation of value for money, project delivery performance and resourcing. Maintain the portfolio delivery plan (C&T Plan) and critical path to monitor progress and report issues, ensuring this is updated in line with governance standards, challenging planning assumptions to ensure that plans are realistic and achievable. Recognise and track interdependencies at portfolio level across change projects. Work with the Risk Manager and Senior Governance and Assurance Manager to identify and monitor portfolio risks (threats and opportunities) and escalate as appropriate. Lead and motivate the team and foster high team engagement. Support the wider Change Management and Business Improvement Unit and business, acting as a critical friend and advisor, to support effective planning and performance reporting, building capability and the use of best practice. Provide expert advice for team members and the project community. Lead on identifying options to optimise delivery through resource smoothing, resource levelling and rescheduling of activities. Corporate Duties: Promote within the function a culture of high performance, continuous improvement and innovation that values learning and a commitment to quality. To create positive relationships with all DBS stakeholders through the appropriate management of their expectations and agreed objectives. Be an ambassador for DBS, instilling and maintaining confidence in the external world. As a leader in the Civil Service ‘living the Civil Service values and serving the public’; demonstrating a leadership style and behaviours which reflect those set out in the Civil Service Leadership Statement. As a Leader in DBS, being guided at all times by DBS values; ensuring that day to day behaviours and interactions with colleagues reflect these values. Person specification Essential Criteria ABILITY Ability to influence at senior level. Experience and ability to build effective working relationships and work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders. Excellent written and oral presentation skills with ability to present complex data in a clear and comprehensible way. Proven ability to work collaboratively in partnership and across organisational boundaries. Resilience in challenging circumstances: ability to work under pressure, remaining calm but decisive. EXPERIENCE Experience working in an environment where change and improvement are critical to successful delivery. Experience in providing technical advice and analysis, to support informed and effective decision making. Able to prioritise work, working within a fast-paced environment providing a creative approach to problem solving. Experience of analysing data and providing technical reporting, presenting complex information concisely to inform decision making. TECHNICAL Recognised qualification in relevant field (e.g. project management). Proficient in Microsoft packages such as Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint and Teams. Desirable Criteria EXPERIENCE Experience working at a senior level in an environment where change and improvement are critical to successful delivery. Experience of leading others to deliver high quality outcomes. TECHNICAL Understanding and working experience of Government Functional Standards. Understanding of corporate governance requirements. Understanding of the safeguarding environment. Qualifications Recognised qualification in relevant field (e.g. project management) Behaviours We\’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Communicating and Influencing Making Effective Decisions Changing and Improving Leadership Seeing the Big Picture Delivering at Pace We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form: Communicating and Influencing Alongside your salary of £42,072, Disclosure & Barring Service contributes £12,188 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. The DBS offers a number of excellent benefits for its employees. These can include: Generous annual leave entitlement Excellent maternity, paternity and adoption schemes (after a qualifying period) Commitment to the health and wellbeing of our employees Employee Assistance Programme Flexible working opportunities Eyecare voucher scheme Occupational Health Service including referrals for counselling and physiotherapy 24/7 Counselling and Wellbeing Service A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% The DBS vision and purpose is to make people safer by being a visible, trusted and influential organisation, providing an outstanding quality of service to all our customers and partners, where our people understand the important safeguarding contributions they make and feel proud to work here. To do this, the DBS is committed to being an employer that is able to attract, develop, retain and engage diverse talent that is representative of the communities we serve, and to be an organisation providing outstanding service to all our existing and new customers, who are diverse and have a range of different needs. We want all our staff to be able to bring their ‘whole self’ to work. Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. To Apply For This Post, Please Provide: a CV setting out your career history (showing key responsibilities and achievements), along with; a suitability statement (max. 1000 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to essential requirements and the key responsibilities listed; and Give an example of how you have demonstrated the behaviour of Communicating and Influencing (250 words). AT INTERVIEW: A 10-minute presentation (title will be provided to successful applicants with their interview invitation) regarding the essential criteria, and five behaviour-based questions. Making Effective Decisions Changing and Improving Leadership Seeing the Bigger Picture Delivering at Pace Interviews will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams. Behaviour Profile: The Civil Service has defined a set of behaviours that, when demonstrated, are associated with job success. For this role you should demonstrate the following Civil Service Behaviours: COMMUNICATING AND INFLUENCING: Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others. MAKING EFFECTIVE DECISIONS: Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications, and risks of decisions. CHANGING AND IMPROVING: Seek out opportunities to create effective change and suggest innovative ideas for improvement. Review ways of working, including seeking and providing feedback. LEADERSHIP: Show pride and passion for public service. Create and engage others in delivering a shared vision. Value difference, diversity and inclusion, ensuring fairness and opportunity for all. SEEING THE BIGGER PICTURE: Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider Civil Service priorities and ensure work is in the national interest. DELIVERING AT PACE: Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive. SELECTION PROCESS DETAILS: The following timetable outlines indicative dates. Please note, these dates may be subject to change without prior notice. Advert Close Date: Monday 30th June 2025 Shortlisting: w/c 30th June 2025 onwards Interviews: from 7th July 2025 – dependent on the above. 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 interview has been scheduled. Success Profiles During The Application For This Role, We Will Be Using The Civil Service Success Profiles. You May Find It Helpful To Read Through Success Profiles Online: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups: UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission\’s recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission\’s recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. Diversity and Inclusion 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 (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job Contact : Name : DBS People Support Team Email : dbspeoplesupportteam@dbs.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : DBSPeopleSupportTeam@dbs.gov.uk #J-18808-Ljbffr