At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead assurance reviews and oversee government major projects portfolio for impactful project delivery.
- Company: Join NISTA, a key player in shaping government project success.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a strong pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for innovation and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in government projects while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in assurance services and strong leadership abilities required.
The predicted salary is between 81000 - 81000 € per year.
Salary: £81,000
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: This post is available on a full time, part time or job share basis, and flexible working hours can be accommodated.
Location: London (1 Horse Guards Road). Any applicants who are already NISTA staff can also apply to be based from their existing locations in Birmingham (23 Stephenson Street), or Leeds (2 Whitehall Quay).
Join us as a Deputy Director for Assurance and play a pivotal role in working across HM Treasury! This is an exciting and high-profile new role, with huge opportunity to shape the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) new service offer.
About the Team
The Assurance and Portfolio team will play a pivotal role in the project delivery system across government and for NISTA as an organization. We aim to improve project delivery performance and support approvals decision‑making so that the right projects are funded and they stand the best chance of success. We do this by shaping, arranging and managing high‑quality and high‑impact assurance for initiatives that are on the Government’s Major Project Portfolio (GMPP) and applying the insights we gain to support interventions. We work hand in hand with Senior Responsible Owners (SROs), project professionals and decision makers in departments, No.10, the Treasury, and the Cabinet Office.
About the Job
The post holder will oversee the government’s major projects portfolio, providing in‑depth analysis, insight, and advice regarding system‑level risks and opportunities across sectors, departments, portfolios and programme types. This includes establishing and operating NISTA’s assurance service. This entails ensuring that independent assurance reviews, arranged by NISTA for programmes exceeding £1 billion in value, are conducted to the highest standards. These reviews must serve as reliable indicators of project success, instil confidence ahead of major approval milestones, and be scheduled at appropriate points throughout a programme’s life cycle. Close collaboration with the Deputy Director, Government Project Delivery Function, will be essential to integrate the principles and components of the new cross‑government assurance framework into NISTA’s service design and offering.
The Deputy Director of Assurance and Portfolio holds a pivotal position within NISTA, with responsibility for two principal areas of work:
- Creation and Management of NISTA’s Independent assurance offer
- Oversight and Insight into the Government Major Projects Portfolio and departmental portfolios
In both of these aspects, you will lead the assurance and portfolio team, which is responsible for arranging and delivering NISTA’s independent assurance reviews and assessing portfolio risk to inform NISTA support offer to departments. To achieve this, you will work in partnership with NISTA’s Chief Projects Data and Insight Officer, Project Delivery teams as well as the Chief Economist, amongst others to generate actionable insights and develop new analytical tools that support NISTA’s broader remit.
Your core responsibilities will include:
- Leading, motivating, and developing the team to ensure it has the appropriate blend of skills necessary to oversee the complex Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) effectively and assess the maturity of departmental portfolios.
- Taking ownership of the strategy and process by which NISTA assures and monitors delivery across the GMP portfolio and delivers independent assurance reviews, ensuring these are aligned with the objectives of NISTA and the Government Project Delivery Assurance Framework.
- Working closely with the NISTA Senior and Extended Leadership Teams to transform and enhance the quality of NISTA’s assurance, in parallel with the development of the NISTA service offer and the Government Project Delivery (GPD) Assurance Framework during 2026/27.
- Acting on behalf of NISTA to oversee the GMP portfolio, using data‑driven insights to advise on interventions, and providing challenge and support to sector leads, department portfolios, and policy officials.
- Building, maintaining, and managing relationships with key stakeholders, and using influence to drive necessary change.
- Managing and maintaining a suitable pool of NISTA‑accredited assurance reviewers to ensure the capability to deliver the assurance review pipeline. This includes performance management of current reviewers and recruitment to broaden the diversity of expertise and backgrounds within the pool.
- Leveraging data to extract learning and insights from assurance reviews and the portfolio, thereby driving innovation and performance in government projects and programmes.
The post holder will be recognised as an authority on all NISTA service assurance activities and will provide guidance on requirements across departmental portfolios and on all types of assurance reviews.
About You
We would like you to have experience of designing and overseeing portfolios or providing assurance services, in the public or private sector as well as outstanding leadership skills including a proven track record of leading high performing, inclusive operational or delivery teams to deliver in a complex, fast paced environment. We want you to be able to demonstrate experience of successfully working with senior stakeholders across government or equivalent in the private sector and have a strong strategic vision and the ability to develop creative, innovative policy in an environment of rapid change.
Some of the Benefits our people love!
- 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays and the King’s birthday (unless you have a legacy arrangement as an existing Civil Servant).
- Additionally, we operate flexitime systems, allowing employees to take up to an additional 2 days off each month.
- Flexible working patterns (part‑time, job‑share, condensed hours).
- Generous parental and adoption leave packages.
- Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions of 28%.
- Access to a cycle‑to‑work salary sacrifice scheme and season ticket advances.
- A range of active staff networks, based around interests (e.g. analysts, music society, sports and social club) and diversity.
For more information about the role and how to apply, please follow the apply link.
Deputy Director for Assurance in London employer: HM TREASURY
As a Deputy Director for Assurance at NISTA, you will join a dynamic team dedicated to enhancing project delivery across government, with the flexibility of working in London, Birmingham, or Leeds. Our inclusive work culture promotes professional growth through leadership opportunities and collaboration with senior stakeholders, while our generous benefits package, including flexible working hours and a robust pension scheme, ensures a rewarding work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Director for Assurance in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those connected to NISTA or similar roles. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the latest trends in project delivery and assurance. Show us you’re not just a candidate, but someone who’s genuinely interested in making a difference in government projects.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Deputy Director for Assurance. We want to hear how you can lead and motivate teams to achieve success in complex environments.
✨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 take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Director for Assurance in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the Deputy Director for Assurance role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves leading a team, don’t forget to emphasise your leadership experience. Share specific examples of how you've motivated and developed teams in complex environments, as this will resonate with us.
Be Data-Driven:We love data! Highlight any experience you have with using data to drive insights or decisions. This is crucial for the role, so make sure to include relevant examples that demonstrate your analytical skills.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at HM TREASURY
✨Know Your Assurance Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the Government Project Delivery Assurance Framework and NISTA’s assurance service. Be ready to discuss how you would align independent assurance reviews with these frameworks, showcasing your understanding of their importance in project success.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership skills, especially in managing high-performing teams. Think about specific situations where you motivated your team to achieve complex goals, as this role requires strong leadership in a fast-paced environment.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders. Have anecdotes ready that illustrate how you've successfully influenced change or collaborated with senior officials, as this will be crucial for the Deputy Director role.
✨Data-Driven Insights
Be prepared to discuss how you leverage data to inform decision-making and drive performance improvements. Highlight any tools or analytical methods you've used in past roles to extract insights from projects, as this aligns with the responsibilities of overseeing the Government Major Projects Portfolio.
