4037 - Director of Data & Assurance for the Disused Tips Authority

Job summary

The Disused Tips Authority (DTA) will become fully operational on 1 April 2027. We are recruiting now for a number of senior leadership roles to help shape the organisation, build its capability and culture, and prepare the Authority to assume its statutory responsibilities from day one.This is a unique opportunity to join the DTA during its formative stages and play a key role in establishing a new public body for Wales.

Important: The Disused Tips Authority is a separate organisation from the Welsh Government. Please disregard any Welsh Government guidance, policies, or recruitment information linked within this advert and refer to the accompanying Candidate Information Pack for the information relevant to this vacancy.
Employment Arrangements

As the Disused Tip Authority will not formally exist until 1 April 2027, these roles will initially be hosted by the Welsh Government.Successful candidates will be employed by the Welsh Government until 31 March 2027 while working exclusively on the establishment of the Disused Tip Authority. From 1 April 2027, employees will transfer to the new Authority as it becomes operational.

Throughout this transition, continuity of employment will be maintained. Successful candidates will initially be employed on Welsh Government terms and conditions. The DTA's proposed terms and conditions are included within the Candidate Pack, and employees will have the opportunity to move onto these arrangements following the Authority's establishment.Build Wales’ New National Regulator. Protect Communities. Leave a Lasting Legacy

Everyone in Wales deserves to feel safe from the risks posed by unstable disused tips.

The Disused Tips Authority is being established under the Disused Mine and Quarry Tips (Wales) Act 2025 to provide national leadership for the safety, management and regulation of disused tips. As Wales' new national regulator, the Authority will deliver a consistent, evidence-led and risk-based approach to managing disused tip risk and helping to protect communities across Wales.

Within this context, the Director of Data & Assurance plays a pivotal executive leadership role in ensuring that the Authority understands risk clearly, acts on evidence confidently, and demonstrates that risks are being actively managed across Wales.

Job description

This role is fundamental to creating an organisation where:

• The national risk position is clearly understood and communicated
• Data is accurate, trusted and informs all decision-making
• Technology enables effective monitoring and insight
• Management Plans and maintenance programmes are effectively developed and delivered
• The organisation operates as a recognised centre of excellence in data, evidence and technical leadership

As a member of the Executive Team, the postholder plays a critical role in shaping organisational confidence, supporting evidence-based decision-making and reinforcing a culture of accuracy, transparency and continuous learning.

For further information about the organisation, please see: Help build a new public body for Wales: Disused Tips Authority for Wales

For full details of the role, the assessment process, and guidance on what to expect at each stage of selection, please refer to the Candidate Information Pack available at: Director of Data & Assurance Candidate Information Pack - 2026 Recruitment Campaign

Person specification

As Director of Data & Assurance, you will provide executive leadership for the Authority's data, digital, research, standards and assurance functions, ensuring that the organisation has the evidence, intelligence and technical capability required to manage risk effectively and fulfil its statutory responsibilities.

As one of the Authority's founding Executive Directors, you will play a leading role in establishing a new national regulator, shaping both the organisation and the systems that support decision-making, public confidence and long-term resilience across Wales.

You will:

• Lead the development and management of the Authority's national register, data systems and information assets.
• Ensure Wales has a clear, accurate and evidence-based understanding of disused tip risk.
• Provide strategic leadership for digital innovation, research, standards and technical assurance.
• Oversee the development of management plans and maintenance programmes, ensuring they are informed by risk and evidence.
• Provide assurance to the Chief Executive, Board and Welsh Government regarding the Authority's understanding and management of risk.

You will help create a trusted, evidence-led and high-performing public body that provides confidence that disused tip risks across Wales are understood, monitored and managed effectively.

What we're looking for

We're seeking an experienced executive leader with a strong background in data, digital, research, assurance or analytical environments and a proven track record of leading complex functions within safety-critical, regulatory, technical or infrastructure settings.

You will bring:

• Significant experience leading data, digital, research or assurance functions.
• Experience managing complex information systems, evidence bases or technical programmes.
• A track record of driving organisational improvement through evidence-based decision-making.
• Experience working with Boards, Government and senior stakeholders.
• Strong leadership, influencing and communication skills.
• A commitment to collaboration, continuous improvement and public service.
• Chartered status or membership of a relevant professional body (for example data, digital, technology, information, engineering or geospatial disciplines) is desirable.

For full details of the role, the assessment process, and guidance on what to expect at each stage of selection, please refer to the Candidate Information Pack available at: Disused Tips Authority for Wales , Candidate Information Pack , 2026 Recruitment Campaign

Qualifications

a degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Data Science, Information Management, Computer Science, Geospatial Analysis, Engineering, Environmental Science, Programme Management or a related field) or significant equivalent professional experience

Technical skills

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

• Data, Intelligence & Evidence-Based Decision MakingLeading data, analytical, intelligence or assurance functions within complex organisations.Using information, evidence and insight to support strategic decision-making ,organisational performance.
• Risk, Assurance & Information Integrity•Developing and maintaining trusted information systems, datasets, registers or assurance frameworks.•Providing confidence in the quality, accuracy and integrity of information used to inform decision-making.
• Digital Innovation & Technical Leadership. Please see advert for details
• Research, Standards & Continuous Improvement. Please see advert for details
• Evidence-Led Planning & Asset Intelligence• Overseeing complex programmes, long-term planning or asset management activities.• Ensuring resources, interventions and priorities are aligned to evidence, risk and organisational objectives.
• Executive Leadership & Corporate Contribution. Please see advert for details
• Partnership & System Leadership - Please see advert for details
• Communication & Strategic JudgementCommunicating complex technical, digital or analytical information clearly and confidently.Making balanced, proportionate and evidence-based decisions in situations involving uncertainty, risk or public scrutiny.

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

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 Experience and Technical skills.

Welsh Government, like all other Government Departments use Success Profiles when we recruit. For each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job. It raises performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

The selection process and stages are:

Number of Stages:2 stage processStage 1Application FormStage 2InterviewAssessmentOur assessment process is designed to evaluate candidates against three core areas: technical capability, values and leadership.Stage 1 - Leadership and Technical capability to be tested via CV and Leadership StatementStage 2 - Leadership, Technical Capability and Our Values to be tested via interview (including a presentation, psychometric testing and an informal conversation with board member)Please refer to the candidate pack for further detail.

In the event of a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted against the lead assessment criterion: Leadership Expectations. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Reserve ListA reserve list may be held for these opportunities.Candidates offered reserve status will remain on the reserve list until the Disused Tips Authority is established in April 2027. Those placed on the reserve list will only be considered for opportunities within the Disused Tips Authority and will not be considered for Welsh Government vacancies.Desirable

The following qualities are desirable and will only be considered if two or more candidates receive the same score at the application or interview stage.

1. To hold or be working towards Chartered status or membership of a relevant professional body. Particularly within data, digital, information management, technology, engineering, geospatial or analytical disciplines.

2. Welsh Language - the Disused Tips Authority is committed to operating as a bilingual organisation and to providing services in both Welsh and English. We want our workforce to reflect the communities we serve and to play an active role in promoting and normalising the use of Welsh in the workplace.We welcome applications from Welsh speakers and from individuals who are committed to developing their Welsh language skills. We will support colleagues at all levels to learn, use and increase their confidence in Welsh as part of their day-to-day work, helping to build a truly bilingual organisation.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.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) (opens in a new window)
• 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 (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).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.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) 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 : Disused Tips Authority
• Email : DisusedTipsAuthorityJobs@gov.wales

Recruitment team

• Email : SharedServiceHelpdesk@gov.wales

Further information

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition. Please see the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles on the Commission's website.

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and wish to make a complaint please email complaints@gov.wales. Please ensure that you refer to the vacancy reference number.

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Welsh Government, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: info@csc.gov.uk