Deputy Head of ACTS Management Team - Army, Warminster BA12 0DJ

Job summary

The Land Warfare Centre (LWC) is at the forefront of Army training transformation, shaping how the British Army adapts and develops for the future. The introduction of the Land Training System (LTS) and delivery of the Army Collective Training Service (ACTS) marks a once‑in‑a‑generation change in how the Army trains its people.

ACTS is a 2.5bn, 15‑year strategic partnership with industry, due to enter service in June 2026. It will fundamentally reshape how collective training is delivered across the Army. This is a high‑profile, fast‑paced and complex programme requiring exceptional visible leadership.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to shape and drive this critical capability. Reporting to the Head of the LWC Business Centre, you will be responsible for leading the ACTS Management Team and working closely with the Strategic Training Partner (STP) to ensure successful delivery of ACTS across the Land Training System.

This is a rare opportunity to influence Army training for the next decade and beyond. This is a leadership role with significant responsibility for governance, commercial oversight and engagement at 1* - 2* level across Defence and industry.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

We are seeking someone proactive to support the delivery of a major outsourced training service under the Collective Training Transformation Programme (CTTP).The successful candidate will work closely with internal stakeholders and the external contractor to ensure robust contract management, value for money, and effective oversight of the capability delivered by the STP throughout the life of the contract.

This role is responsible for leading the contract management function, ensuring risks are managed appropriately and that there is a strong successful partnership with the STP. This will be through sound financial, commercial/ performance management and technical functions brought together under the ACTS team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build, lead and develop a high performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Responsible for creating the foundations for a successful partnership with the STP and maintaining this relationship throughout.
• Delivery of the ACTS Governance Strategy (nested in the LTS governance) in collaboration with the LWC and industry Stakeholders, supporting decision-making, improving performance, learning from experience and the reduction of risk.
• Oversee embedding of the ACTS across appropriate stakeholder communities both within and external to the LWC.
• Cultivate and manage strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders such that longer term aspirations are captured and progressed, working collaboratively to lead ACTS initiatives and act as the interlocutor between the LWC leadership and the Strategic Training Partner for effective delivery and resolution of any disputes.
• Responsible for the ACTS budget, monitoring the expenditure and costs against benefits as the contract progresses, provide a lead for the exploitation of Income Generation opportunities. Provide scrutiny of requirements and in conjunction with LWC stakeholders ruthlessly prioritise capability as needed.
• Leadership of contract performance management including ACTS organisational and contract changes, looking to rationalise and consolidate where appropriate including driving effective decision making through membership of the ACTS Senior Executive Board, and other ACTS Boards as required.
• Collaborate with key personnel within Army HQ to ensure contract alignment to emerging initiatives and utilise the ACTS MT Commercial team into Army Commercial as required, on contract changes.
• Support governance and assurance framework of end-to-end ACTS operation ensuring training delivery to required output.
• Represent Senior Civil Servants (SCS) at key stakeholder events and meetings as required.
• Provide absence cover if required.

Person specification

Essential skills required:

• Experience of leading a team delivering complex outputs.
• Experience working collaboratively with commercial partners to support and deliver outputs.
• Is a confident and credible leader, able to influence at senior levels.
• Commercial awareness and thrives in fast paced, complex environments.
• Can quickly build trust with industry partners.
• Promotes collaboration, continuous improvement and high performance.

Desirable skills:

• Financial Skills Certificate - Foundation (or equivalent)
• Managing Successful Programmes (or equivalent).
• Contract management experience.
• APM Programme Management Qualification (or equivalent).

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Leadership

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Programme Manager Competence - Change Control (Working)
• Programme Manager Competence - Planning (Practitioner)
• Programme Manager Competence - Stakeholder Engagement (Practitioner)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of 72,840, Ministry of Defence contributes 21,101 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

The Army prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance.

Other benefits for Army civil servants include:

- 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years service
- Highly competitive pension scheme
- Personal and professional development of skills
- Alternative working patterns for many roles
- Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a free service that assists you with achieving a productive, healthy environment that is conducive to a healthy lifestyle.
- Enhanced parental and adoption leave
- 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities
- Learning and Development
- Access to a free gymnasium for those with personal insurance.

We believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career. This includes working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking a modern apprenticeship as part of your role.

A modern apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through the schemes available you will gain a professional qualification, practical experience, and the broader skills required to develop in your current role and pave the way for your future career.

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of office attendance. Applicants can request further informationregardinghow this and other flexible working arrangements may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that theDepartment is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which couldimpacton those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare.Determineyour eligibility at .

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-handsmokeand supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy,Smokingand the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not bepermittedanywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors,visitorsand other non-MOD personnel. All applicantsseeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place ata number ofDefence Establishments.

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