Navy Command - Team Plymouth Defence Growth Deal Lead

Job summary

At Navy Command, we lead, support, and sustain the Royal Navy across every theatre of operations. We coordinate the people, platforms, and missions that keep the Fleet ready for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities. Together, we uphold centuries of naval tradition while driving innovation that ensures the Royal Navy’s readiness to protect our nation and secure our future.

As the authority for the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarine capability, the Submarine Directorate oversees one of the most complex and critical elements of UK defence. Covering everything from in ‑ service management to long ‑ term fleet modernisation, the directorate ensures the Submarine Flotilla remains safe, reliable, and ready to meet national security requirements.

You'll be based at HMNB Devonport, the largest naval base in Western Europe and a powerhouse of Royal Navy capability. It is home to amphibious ships, survey squadrons, submarines, and two-thirds of the frigate force. With its unique nuclear refitting facility, Devonport ensures the Fleet remains ready to support operations worldwide.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

Team Plymouth is a partnership between Babcock, the Royal Navy and Plymouth City Council, working across the city with private sector partners, the Ministry of Defence and national Government. It will deliver the workforce, infrastructure and wider business ecosystem required to drive inclusive, sustainable long-term growth and defence capability for the nation.

What you'll be doing:

• The Team Plymouth MoD Defence Growth Deal Lead provides strategic leadership, governance oversight and delivery direction for the Defence Growth Deal programme within the wider Team Plymouth portfolio, ensuring alignment with Team Plymouth priorities, broader MoD objectives and wider Government growth ambitions.
• The role is responsible for maintaining the Defence Growth Deal programme’s strategic coherence with the Team Plymouth portfolio and wider vision, providing leadership, senior stakeholder engagement and assurance that sufficient resource, governance and focus are in place to deliver agreed outcomes for Plymouth in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
• As part of an integrated delivery team, the Team Plymouth MoD Defence Growth Deal Lead works with, and where required deputises for, the MoD Partnership Director / Programme Lead to define, plan, oversee and deliver the Defence Growth Deal programme effectively within the wider Team Plymouth
• Line management responsibility for 1 x MoD Technical Lead, with delivery exercised through a wider matrix of civilian and military colleagues as required to support Team Plymouth and Defence Growth Deal outcomes.
• Building consensus around a shared Team Plymouth vision and clear sense of purpose among key stakeholders.
• Representing the MoD Partnership Director / Programme Lead, where appropriate, in pursuit of Team Plymouth and Defence Growth Deal outcomes.
• Acting as a key link between MoD, Team Plymouth partners and wider stakeholders to support engagement, information flow and improved operational outcomes
• Providing strategic insight, advice and clear communication to support senior leaders and informed decision-making on Defence Growth Deal priorities.

Person specification

To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Extensive experience of business and/or defence portfolio or programme office leadership and management, with the ability to operate across a complex strategic portfolio and lead delivery of a major programme in a fast-paced and high-profile environment.
• Experience of contributing to strategy, policy development and delivery in complex environments, working with senior leaders to identify and manage dependencies, risk and stakeholder relationships in support of organisational-level outcomes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex issues clearly, influence decisions, build trust with senior stakeholders, and support high-quality briefing and decision-making.
• Demonstrable ability to work effectively in ambiguity, respond flexibly to changing priorities, deliver at pace, and foster inclusive and collaborative ways of working across organisational boundaries.

Professional/External Qualifications

Essential

• Degree-level qualification (Level 6 or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline such as leadership, business, policy, programme delivery or a related field.
• Substantial experience of working across government, including with local authorities, wider public sector partners and cross-organisational stakeholders.

Memberships

Essential

• Professional membership and, where applicable, chartership of a relevant body, such as Chartered Manager (CMgr) through CMI, Chartered Fellow (CMgr FCMI), Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) through APM, or an equivalent recognised leadership or programme profession standard, or demonstrable commitment to continuing professional development at senior level.

The below criteria are desirable only. These will not be assessed throughout the recruitment process, but will be used in the event of tied scores between candidates:

Desirable

• Recognised programme, portfolio or project management qualification, or equivalent senior-level experience.

Qualifications

Degree-level qualification (Level 6 or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline such as leadership, business, policy, programme delivery or a related field.

Memberships

Professional membership and, where applicable, chartership of a relevant body, such as Chartered Manager (CMgr) through CMI, Chartered Fellow (CMgr FCMI), Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) through APM, or an equivalent recognised leadership or programme profession standard, or demonstrable commitment to continuing professional development at senior level

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £61,630, Ministry of Defence contributes

£17,854 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• Market-leading employer pension contribution of 28.97%
• Personal & professional development
• Alternative working patterns for many roles
• Access to a confidential, professional support service
• Discount schemes
• Bicycle / season-ticket loans
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• Special paid leave to volunteer (up to 6 days a year)

In Navy Command we believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you’ll be supported through your learning journey and your career. This can include working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking an apprenticeship as part of your role.

You’ll have access to a variety of qualifications pathways ranging from GCSE/A-Level equivalent all the way up to master’s degree, depending on your role, your previous skills and your experience. Some qualifications even include “on-the-job” training which means minimal disruption to your working day but maximum impact

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 information regarding how 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.

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.

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

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on 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. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ .

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-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere 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, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

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 Behaviours and Experience.

Selection process

As part of Defence Reform, Navy Command continues to review and evolve its Target Operating Model to support more agile ways of working. In this context, the role and responsibilities of this role may develop over time to reflect changing business priorities and opportunities.

At Sift, you will be assessed against the following;

• Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history and qualification details.
• Candidates will be required to provide a personal statement. This should be a maximum of 500 words that sets out your motivation for applying and shows how your skills and experience meet the essential requirements for the role.

At Interview, you will be assessed against the following success profiles:

Behaviours:

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing

Further information:

The Civil Service embraces diversity and p