Deputy Director Data, Performance and Corporate Operations, Darlington

About the job

Job summary

Overall purpose is to drive the performance of the further education system to deliver improved outcomes for learners, with high quality provision (as assessed by Ofsted, and qualification achievement rates), and low drop out rates / NEETs.

The role also seeks to ensure the FE system meets economic need, working effectively with Mayoral Strategic Authorities to support local growth plans.

Job description

The role has overall responsibility for:

• Delivery of Regional Improvement Teams- a commitment in the Prime Minister's Plan for Change, and the post 16 Skills White Paper. The role will be responsible for oversight of the establishment and governance of the teams, ensuring they align with pre-16 and with devolved leadership and that we use data effectively to target interventions.
• Overall oversight of post-16 system risk. The division will be responsible for the risk assessment of all post-16 FE providers (ITPs, Colleges) and engagement with the Office for Students around the risk assessment of universities. This will include the effective use of data and AI to enhance risk assessment, and target resources to secure improvement.
• Governance of post 16 system performance. The division will centralise all governance across the post 16 performance and intervention, including on cases / institutional decisions (through the Case Management Group), and through the Performance and Intervention Programme Board. The division will oversee the hierarchy of reporting from Regional Improvement Teams, through to the cases group (on individual colleges) and the programme board (on systemic issues) and then to skills programme board.
• Oversight of place-based briefing and intelligence for ministers, and support for ministerial visits, including through the provider briefing tool. Coordination of business of state work across post 16 performance and intervention.
• Design and delivery of transformation in post-16 provider oversight. The role will drive a change in oversight and delivery to enable the directorate to deliver high performance across the skills system and take on greater responsibility for HE while reducing staff numbers. This will include more effective risk identification and targeting using data, automation of key processes using AI, and more radical prioritisation through use of risk assessment. The role will also support people engagement across the directorate through the change process.
• The role will oversee theSheffield Policy Campus, working with the Director as campus sponsor and theDG for Strategy and Operations.This will involve driving cultural change to build relationships across the civil service and with partner organisations. It will also have a role in driving place based policy making, working with the Test Learn and Grow Programme

*You will oversee theDirectors'office and central functionsincluding budgetary and headcount management, and directorate comms and engagement.

Person specification

Applicants will be assessed against the following essential criteria. If applicant numbers are excessive, preliminary sifting will be done using only the first criteria.

It is important that, through your CV and Statement of Suitability, you provide evidence and examples of proven experience for each of the selection criteria detailed.

Essential Criteria

• Partnership working- proven ability to secure positive outcomes in a complex environment, with multiple partner and stakeholders, including a strong experience of place-based partnership
• Effective decision making -ability to make robust decisions informed by strong data and evidence and assessment ofriskandvalue for money.
• Change leadership and performance management- experience of driving significant organisational change to deliver high performance, while achieving high staff engagement.
• Managing a quality service- a proven ability to drive improved outcomes in operational delivery - whether through direct management of a service, or through leading changes to raise performance.
• Corporate leadership as a public servant- you should demonstrate how you champion the value and impact of public service, and act as a corporate organisational leader beyond your immediate brief

Benefits

Alongside your salary of£81,000, Department for Education contributes£23,465 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department's transfer / promotion policies.

As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.

You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years'service. In addition, all staff receive the King's Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days'bank and public holidays.

We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.

Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.

Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.

As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Strengths and Experience.

To apply for this role, you needto complete an online applicationvia the Civil Service Jobs portal. Applications will be accepted until23:55 on 8th of June 2026

Application

1. ACVsetting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.

1. AStatement of Suitability, covering500 words of why you want the role, and 500 words on how your experience fits the criteria. Should we receive a high volume of applications, then we will sift on the first essential criteria.

Failure to submit both documents will mean the panel only has limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification.

If you are unable to apply online, please contact in the first instance. Please visit our career site for further information on the Civil Service application process.

Please note the following:

• We cannot accept applications submitted after the closing date;
• Applications will be assessed solely on the documentation provided;
• Please refer to the advert and checklist above to ensure you have provided everything requested;
• Applications will be acknowledged upon receipt;
• Feedback will only be given to candidates unsuccessful following interview

Selection Process

Shortlisted candidates will:

1. Take part in a virtual Staff Engagement Panel (which typically takes up to 1 hour to complete), to be held on 2nd of July 2026. A report will be shared with the interview panel.
2. A formal panel interview on the 13th/14th July in person in the Sheffield office. Candidates will be asked to prepare a presentation for the interview (further information will be shared with shortlisted candidates) and they will be asked questions to further assess their Experience against the Essential Criteria as outlined on slide 8 and Strengths using the Civil Service Strengths Dictionary.

Please note that at interview stage we may ask if you have any conflicts of interest to declare and social media checks maybe conducted prior to appointment.

Candidates with disabilities

As an employer we are committed to promoting and protecting the physical and mental health and wellbeing of all our colleagues and applicants. The Department for Education uses the Disability Confident scheme (formerly the Guaranteed Interview scheme) to help widen employment opportunities for disabled people. Applicants with disabilities who meet the essential …