At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead digital transformation for vital services impacting millions of lives.
- Company: Join the Department for Work and Pensions, a key player in national welfare reform.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic environment with extensive career growth potential.
- Why this job: Shape the future of working-age services and drive meaningful change in society.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in delivering transformational digital services and leading high-performing teams.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 € per year.
Are you an inspiring digital leader ready to shape services that change lives at scale? The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is looking for an exceptional Director for Working Age Services Digital Delivery. Within DWP’s Digital and Transformation Group (DTG), you will play a central role in one of the biggest and most ambitious digital transformation programmes in Europe. DTG is the driving force behind modernising DWP services, bringing together digital expertise and project delivery to improve outcomes for millions of people.
With more than 400 secure systems supporting almost £288 billion in annual payments to 23 million customers, our work directly contributes to national priorities such as boosting employment, reducing poverty, strengthening financial resilience, and delivering efficient, high quality services. In this role, you will report to the Service Owner for Working Age Services and provide strategic and inspirational leadership to a team of around 500 civil servants, alongside colleagues from our contractor and supplier community. You will also have a wider leadership influence across 8,000 colleagues in DTG.
Your portfolio will include some of the most important digital services in the UK, including Universal Credit, the jobs and careers service, and New Style benefits. You will be responsible for both the live running and the transformation of these services, shaping how we support people of working age today and in the future. You will also play a major leadership role in the delivery of the jobs and careers service programme. This is a unique and career defining opportunity for a bold, collaborative and forward thinking leader who thrives in a complex environment and is motivated by the chance to deliver meaningful change for society.
Location: Caxton House, London. Details of specific sites and the geographical regions they cover can be found on page 6 of the Candidate Pack.
You will report to the Service Owner of Working Age Services. You will be responsible for up to 7 direct reports, a team of c500 civil servants with additional responsibility for contractors and suppliers and annual spend of c. £100m. In addition, you will be a leadership role model for 8000 colleagues in Digital and Transformation Group (DTG).
The Director for Working Age Services Digital Delivery is responsible for a wide-ranging portfolio covering support for live services, digitally enabled transformation and priority policy reforms. For Working Age Services, they will lead the digital services that support both the current and future services the department provides to people of Working Age. This includes Universal Credit, the jobs and careers service, and New-Style benefits.
The Director will be accountable for both the live running and transformation activities for services including playing a key leadership role in the jobs and careers service programme. You will own the delivery strategy delivering transformation outcomes through our services, including working across Directorates to deliver policy intent through user-centred digital services. Ensuring that the right processes, procedures, and technologies align to delivering improved user, policy, and business-related outcomes.
Development and execution of comprehensive roadmaps for those services, aligning organisational design, governance practices, capability, and 3rd party services to enable delivery of service design and delivery. Lead design, development, and delivery of large-scale user-centred services, utilising innovative technologies and data, integrated with DWP’s core platform capabilities. Lead multi-disciplinary teams to design, plan, deliver and maintain products - including user experience, development, data models, real-time analytics, machine-learning, APIs, development, and behaviour‑driven testing.
Lead creation of core capabilities to support the service and make available across DWP though loosely coupled services, leading and influencing matrixed architecture, security, and infrastructure operations teams. Play an active role within the DWP Director community, and as a senior Digital leader across the Government. Lead and embed new ways of working and technology‑enabled innovation, driving and building sustainable digital capability across the Department to support Civil Service Reform.
Role modelling inclusive leadership behaviours and creating the culture and conditions to empower people to work across organisational boundaries, in multi-disciplinary teams, in service of our priorities. Provide assurance and oversight of transformation programme activity, ensuring they are managed effectively and represent value to taxpayers. Maintain outstanding financial management and control standards, which require financial budgets to be managed to within 1% variance per quarter and per budget allocation.
In addition, the role will require you to contribute to and actively participate in the executive leadership of DWP as we deliver unprecedented change to the welfare system, and to the products and services it delivers. Manage complex relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders including partners and vendors.
Person specification
The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate their knowledge, experience and skills against the following essential criteria:
- Significant experience of delivering high performing, transformational digital services at scale and to budget.
- Experience of building and leading high performing teams, proactively setting strategic priorities, communicating delivery impact and issues to senior colleagues.
- Experience in developing and continuously improving digital services, increasing service quality and performance whilst reducing cost.
- High levels of digital literacy and be capable of effectively engaging with design, delivery and technical colleagues, suppliers, and stakeholders to define the best approach to service design.
- Experience of building service strategy based on user‑insight, driving value through delivering user‑centred digital services.
- Experience of adopting innovative approaches to delivering and procuring services and managing relationships with suppliers.
Director for Working Age Services - Department for Work and Pensions - SCS2 employer: Manchester Digital
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead transformative digital services that have a profound impact on society. With a strong commitment to employee growth, DWP fosters a collaborative work culture that empowers its staff to innovate and excel, while providing comprehensive benefits and support for work-life balance. Located in the heart of London, DWP not only champions meaningful change but also invests in the professional development of its employees, making it an ideal place for those seeking a rewarding career in public service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director for Working Age Services - Department for Work and Pensions - SCS2
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former DWP employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for the interview process. Personal connections can give you insights that you won't find in the job description.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the virtual engagement session! This is your chance to ask questions directly to the leadership team. Jot down what you want to know about the role and the department. Showing genuine interest can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your STAR technique for interviews. Think of specific situations where you've demonstrated leadership, innovation, or problem-solving skills. This will help you articulate your experience clearly and effectively during the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the DWP team and making a difference in people's lives.
We think you need these skills to ace Director for Working Age Services - Department for Work and Pensions - SCS2
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your background aligns with the role of Director for Working Age Services, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Style:As a potential leader in our team, it’s crucial to highlight your leadership approach. Share examples of how you've inspired teams and driven transformation in previous roles. We’re looking for someone who can motivate and lead effectively, so let that shine through!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and get straight to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read, so keep it professional yet engaging.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Manchester Digital
✨Know Your Digital Transformation Inside Out
Make sure you understand the key aspects of digital transformation, especially in the context of public services. Familiarise yourself with DWP's current initiatives like Universal Credit and the jobs and careers service. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to discuss your leadership approach and how you've successfully led large teams in the past. Think about specific examples where you've inspired change or improved service delivery, as this role requires strong leadership across a diverse team of civil servants and contractors.
✨Engage with User-Centred Design Principles
Be ready to talk about how you've implemented user-centred design in previous roles. Highlight any experience you have in gathering user insights and how that has shaped service delivery. This is crucial for the DWP's mission to improve outcomes for millions.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Management Scenarios
Anticipate questions around managing complex relationships with stakeholders. Think of examples where you've navigated challenging situations or built partnerships that led to successful project outcomes. This will demonstrate your ability to work effectively within the DWP's extensive network.
