Director - Further Education and Post-16 Reform

• Details
• Reference number
• 477914
• Salary
• £105,000

Existing Civil Servants will be appointed in line with the Civil Service pay rules in place on the date of their appointment.

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

GBP

• Job grade
• SCS Pay Band 2
• Contract type
• Permanent
• Business area
• DFE - Skills Group
• Type of role
• Senior leadership
• Working pattern
• Full-time, Job share
• Number of jobs available
• 1
• Contents

• Location
• About the job
• Benefits
• Things you need to know
• Apply and further information

Location

Manchester, North West England, M1 2WD : Sheffield, Yorkshire and the Humber, S1 2FJ : City of Westminster, London (region), SW1P 3BT

About the job

Job summary

This is a high-profile senior leadership role at the heart of the post-16 education and skills system. The postholder will provide strategic leadership across Further Education, 16-19 education and key post-16 reforms, ensuring that policy and delivery are coherent, evidence-based, financially sustainable and focused on improving outcomes for young people, learners, employers and communities.

The role will lead major areas of FE policy and delivery, including funding, accountability, workforce, capacity and condition programmes, while also strengthening the wider post-16 landscape. This includes participation, progression pathways, careers readiness, NEET reduction and re-engagement, post-16 SEND reform, and the alignment between education, skills, local growth, devolution and employer need.

Working closely with Ministers, the Director General, senior leaders across government and external stakeholders, the postholder will provide high-quality strategic advice on complex policy and delivery issues, balancing risk, affordability, operational feasibility and impact. They will ensure strong alignment between policy intent and outcomes for young people, while supporting the government's ambitions for opportunity, growth and prosperity.

As a Director-level leader, the postholder will be responsible for significant budgets, resources and delivery portfolios. They will provide clear leadership and oversight across a complex reform agenda, ensuring risks are identified early, delivery remains on track, and teams are empowered to achieve ambitious outcomes in a fast-moving environment.

Security clearance : Candidates should hold or be willing to obtain SC clearance.

Job description

The postholder will:

1. Provide strategic leadership across Further Education and post-16 reform, ensuring policy, funding and delivery are aligned, evidence-led and deliverable.

2. Lead key FE priorities , including funding, accountability, workforce, capacity and condition programmes, supporting a high-performing FE system that delivers for learners, employers and the wider economy.

3. Provide strategic oversight of careers readiness, progression pathways, NEET reduction and re-engagement, and post-16 SEND reform, ensuring effective delivery and stronger alignment between policy intent and outcomes for young people.

4. Ensure risks, dependencies and delivery challenges are identified early and actively managed, maintaining confidence in delivery across the portfolio.

5. Drive implementation of major post-16 education and skills reforms, ensuring effective governance, clear accountability and timely delivery against ministerial priorities.

6. Lead the department's contribution to skills devolution and regional growth priorities , working with mayoral strategic authorities, Skills England and local partners to support stronger alignment between national policy, local skills needs and economic growth objectives.

7. Contribute to the development of wider skills strategy , supporting stronger alignment between Further Education, labour market needs, local growth priorities and government ambitions for economic growth.

8. Work collaboratively with Skills England, DWP, DBT and other partners to ensure coherence across the post-16 education, skills and employment systems.

Person specification

Applicants will be assessed against the following criteria. If we receive a high volume of applications a preliminary sifting will be done using only the top two 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:

• Policy development and reform delivery - Proven ability to shape and deliver major policy and reform programmes in complex environments, balancing strategic ambition with operational delivery.
• Senior stakeholder advice and influencing - Proven experience of advising and influencing ministers (or equivalent) to shape policy and deliver complex, politically sensitive change and achieve sustained organisational outcomes; providing high-quality advice, including clear recommendations on risk, trade-offs, affordability and deliverability.
• Delivery, governance and risk management - Experience of leading large-scale delivery portfolios, establishing effective governance, managing risk and dependencies, and maintaining confidence in delivery performance.
• Leadership and stakeholder engagement – Proven track record of leading large-scale, high-profile reform programmes, building high-performing and inclusive teams, driving strategic change in politically sensitive environments while securing long-term organisational success.
• Financial and programme leadership - Experience of managing significant budgets, programmes and resources, ensuring strong financial stewardship, value for money and successful delivery.

Desirable criteria:

• Strategic leadership across post-16 education and Skills Systems - A substantial track record of leading complex policy, strategy or delivery portfolios across post-16 education, skills, employment or closely related public service systems at scale, including responsibility for shaping strategic direction and delivering measurable outcomes through multiple partners and stakeholders.

Desirable criteria will only be assessed at interview in the event of a tie break situation to make an informed decision.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £105,000, Department for Education contributes £30,418 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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Strengths and Experience.

To apply for this role, you need to complete an online application via the Civil Service Jobs portal. Applications will be accepted until 23:55 on Sunday 6th of September 2026

Application

1. A CV (no longer than 2 sides or 1000 words) setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.

2. A Statement of Suitability (no longer than 2 sides or 1000 words), detailing how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification section.

Should we receive a high volume of applications a preliminary sifting will be done using only the top two 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 scs.recruitment@education.gov.uk 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:

Take part in a Stakeholder Engagement Exercise (which typically takes up to 1 hour to complete), to be held week commencing 17 September. The panel will likely consist of stakeholders from mayoral strategic authorities, further education colleges and schools.

The panel will conduct a sift and shortlist candidates for interview. Formal panel interviews will be held on 24 September and will take place in Sanctuary Buildings, London.

You will be asked to prepare a presentation for the interview (further information will be shared with shortlisted candidates) and you will be asked questions to further assess your Experience and Strengths using the Civil Service Strengths Dictionary.

As part of the recruitment process we may request references. The successful candidate will also be subject to social media checks.

Please note that at interview stage we may ask if you have any conflicts of interest to declare.

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 criteria, as stated in the person specification, the Civil Service nationality requirements and indicate they are applying under the Disability Confident scheme will be guaranteed an interview.

Employment scheme for Veterans

The ‘Great Place to Work for Veterans scheme’ makes it easier for veterans to join the Civil Service. If you opt into this scheme and meet the minimum criteria, you’ll progress to the next stage for most roles – whether that’s an interview or an online test.

To apply under the scheme, please contact scs.recruitment@education.gov.uk.

What nationality do I need to hold in order to apply?

To be eligible for employment to this role you must be a national from the following countries:

• The United Kingdom
• The Republic of Ireland
• The Commonwealth*
• A European Economic Area (EEA) Member State
• Switzerland
• Turkey Certain family members of EEA, Swiss and Turkish nationals are also eligible to apply regardless of their nationality.

(*Commonwealth citizens not yet in the UK, who have no right of abode in the UK and who do not have leave to enter the UK are ineligible to apply.) For further information on whether you are eligible to apply, please visit Gov.UK.

• For an accessible version of the candidate pack, please contact scs.recruitment@education.gov.uk
• For more information on how to apply, please visit How to Apply , Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk)
• Other Information

We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFE@education.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs

Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.

Reasonable adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Department of Education via scs.recruitment@education.gov.uk soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

This role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years. An assignment duration is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through building your depth of expertise.

As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check .

See our vetting charter .

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)
• 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

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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 .

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 also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

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 and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

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 : SCS Recruitment Team
• Email : SCS.Recruitment@education.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : SCS.Recruitment@education.gov.uk

Further information

The Department for Education’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles, which outlines that selection for appointment is made on merit based on fair and open competition. You have the right to complain if you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles. In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly with the department concerned via CentralRecruitment.Operations@education.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages