Data manager, Better Futures Fund

Job summary

The role we are recruiting for sits within the Impact Economy Teamin the Civil Society and Youth directorate. The team has a responsibility for mobilising innovative sources of philanthropic and private capital alongside government spending. This has primarily been in support of encouraging a financially sustainable Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector.

The team is driven by a commitment to improving outcomes for communities, increasing the impact of the sector through innovation and championing what works, improving civil society access to funding, and unlocking and growing non-government sources of finance.

We are firmly committed to our people, and this is reflected in our values. We work hard to build an environment that is diverse and inclusive, as well as warm, friendly and collaborative; where each member of staff can flourish, feel comfortable being themselves at work, develop their skills and move their career forward.

Job description

We are seeking a Data Manager to join a new, £500 million major Government programme, the Better Futures Fund (BFF). It is the biggest programme of its kind in the world, cementing the UK Government’s leadership on the use of ‘social outcomes partnerships’. It’s the innovative financial mechanism that forms a social outcomes partnership that makes the BFF unique, and a demonstration of how the Government is working with the Impact Economy. The BFF is a 10 year fund that aims to help address child poverty - supporting up to 200,000 children. It builds on previous pilots led by DCMS to incentivise partnerships bringing organisations together at the local level, ensuring a tailored approach to meet each individual's unique set of (often complex) needs. It also ensures outcomes are achieved through a partnership with social investors. The role will oversee the data capture design and data platform implementation for the BFF. It will work with analysts internally and external stakeholders to understand the BFF’s data needs and aims, then develop the tools to achieve those aims.

This role suits a collaborative and innovative individual who is keen to work on a new complex programme that is not the usual way government does business. The Data Manager will help to empower the policy team with tools that provide a clear indication of the impact of BFF projects. This will principally involve the implementation of a data platform/strategy which builds on previous work and that captures inputs from frontline teams. Through the development of interactive tools, such as dashboards and reports, the policy team can build their knowledge of what works. In turn, the Data Manager will work with evaluators to design an evaluation that is fed directly by BFF data, to gain a deeper, more transparent understanding of the BFF’s overall impact.

Person specification

The ideal candidate would have the following key skills and experience, please note that the desirable skills will only be used in the event of tied candidates:

Essential Requirements

• Data science knowledge and experience, including those with experience in operational research and/or data analysis roles who can make data useable and accessible.
• Leadership ability; this role will be expected to lead a project to implement a data capture system, delivering through others to ensure a successful outcome.
• Working together - Building highly effective, influential and collaborative relationships as well as securing the confidence of senior leaders.
• Delivering at Pace - Able to work well under own initiative, tracking and completing tasks with limited supervision.
• Communicating and Influencing - Being able to explain complex issues with clarity and adapting to responses and opinions of others.

Desirable Skills

• Database design experience or desire to gain this - knowledge of Salesforce could be a particular asset.
• Experience of working in Impact Economy related sectors such as social investment, philanthropy, voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations.

Essential Qualifications As part of the application process, you will be asked to confirm your current analytical profession (GORS or GSG), or indicate if you are applying to become badged in one of these professions.

To be eligible, you must either:

• Be a badged member of one of the analytical professions: GORS or GSG
• Meet the eligibility criteria to become badged in one of these professions and hold one of these qualifications:

• GORS:A 2:1 (or a 2:2 with relevant work experience or a postgraduate qualification) in a highly numerate subject. Numerate subjects typically include Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Operational Research, Engineering, or joint/mixed degrees where at least 50% of the modules are highly numerate.
• GSG: A first- or second-class honours degree (2:2 minimum for standard roles, 2:1 minimum for the Fast Stream) in a numerate subject containing taught statistical content (e.g., Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Psychology, Geography) OR a postgraduate degree (MSc/PhD) with formal statistical training.

If you are not currently a member of the GORS or GSG, you will also be required to complete an online test to assess your suitability. This test will be administered after you have submitted your full application. You will receive an invitation via email containing the test details and the deadline for completion after you will submit your full application.

Please note: Failure to complete the test or meet the deadline will result in your application not being progressed further.

We are running an information session where prospective applicants can find out more about the role. This will be hosted by James Magowan, and will take place on: 3rd June 2026 at 11am

The session will be an opportunity to hear more about the role, the team and wider directorate and the department. It will also be an opportunity for you to ask any questions.

Please register your interest by filling out this Registration form and you will be sent an invitation. Invites will only be sent after this deadline has passed. Please note that the session will not be recorded and will not focus on the DCMS recruitment process - please direct any queries that you have on this topic (timelines, reasonable adjustments, onboarding etc) to resourcing.team@dcms.gov.uk

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

Technical skills

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

• “Acquiring Data and understanding customers needs” and “Presenting and disseminating data effectively” (Grade 7) GSG Competency Framework
• “Knowledge and application of OR and “Achieving Impact with Analysis” in the GORS Technical Framework (Grade 7) Prior to the interview you will be sent the behaviour questions in advance.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £54,582, Department for Culture, Media and Sport contributes £15,812 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

DCMS values its staff and offers a wide range of benefits to everyone who works here. We’re committed to developing talent, and supporting colleagues to have great careers in our department. To support with that, some of the benefits we offer include:

• Flexible working arrangements and hybrid working - DCMS staff work on a flexible basis with time spent in offices, and time spent working from home

• 26.5 days annual leave on entry, increasing to 31.5 days after 5 years’ service

• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

• Access to the Edenred employee benefits system which offers discounts to popular retailers and access to various useful resources such as financial and savings advice

• 3 days of paid volunteering leave

• Up to 9 months maternity leave on full pay + generous paternity and adoption leave

• Staff reward and recognition bonuses that operate throughout the year

• Occupational sick pay

• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme which offers staff 24/7 confidential support and resources such as counselling, debt guidance and management advice

• Active and engaged staff networks to join including the LGBT+, Ethnic Diversity, Mental Health and Wellbeing and Gender Equality Networks

• Exceptional learning and development opportunities that you can explore alongside your day to day work

• Season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme and much more!

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, Experience and Technical skills.

To apply for this vacancy, you will need to submit the following documents which will assessed against the experience success profile:

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you provide employment history that relates to the essential and desirable criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages and you should insert your CV into the "Job History" section on the Civil Service Jobs application form.
• A Statement of Suitability (max 750 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential requirements highlighted. You may also choose to reference the desirable skills listed however these will not be considered in the assessment of your application except in circumstances where there are a high number and calibre of candidates.
• You will be required to confirm your current analytical profession (GORS or GSG), or indicate if you are applying to become badged in one of these professions. If you are applying to be badged you will be required to confirm you hold the qualification requirements, failure to include this your application will be ineligible.

For the shortlist, we will select applicants demonstrating the best fit for the role by considering the evidence provided in your application.

In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial sift will be conducted on the statement of suitability. Those who are successful in the initial sift will then be scored on all elements of the application.

For support in writing your application and interviewing, please refer to the ‘Application and Interview Guidance’ document attached to the job advert.

The interview process will assess behaviours and technical skills

The behaviours to be tested at interview are:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

The technical skills to be tested at interview will assess either

• “Acquiring Data and understanding customers needs” and “Presenting and disseminating data effectively” (Grade 7) GSG Competency Framework
• “Knowledge and application of OR and “Achieving Impact with Analysis” in the GORS Technical Framework (Grade 7) Prior to the interview you will be sent the behaviour questions in advance.

In your application you will be asked which profession you are applying under.

As part of the technical skills assessment at interview, you will be asked to deliver a short oral presentation. Full details of this , including the topic, and whether or not you will need to use visual aids, will be sent prior to your interview.

Your interview will take place remotely via Google Meet.

Further Information

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

If the vacancy is offered as FTA/Loan, existing Civil Servants must join on a Loan basis only. Prior agreement to be released on loan must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

Any move to Department for Culture, Media and Sport 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

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

DCMS has a London and a National pay scale. For more information on this, including the circumstances in which each pay scale will apply, please see the ‘Candidate Information Pack’ attached.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be 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 circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

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.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting

Reasonable Adjustment

We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process.

In order to request an adjustment, please:

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on 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 a verbal test rather than a written one.

Alternatively, contact the Government Recruitment Service via dcmsrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility difficulties with any of the attachments, please contact us. Contact details can be found in the 'contact point for applicants' section of the job advert.

Feedback

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).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.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 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.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).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 : James Magowan
• Email : james.magowan@dcms.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : dcmsrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact recruitment.team@dcms.gov.uk in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/contact/

Attachments

463608 - Candidate Information Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 6847kB)DCMS Application & Interview Guidance for Candidates Aug 23 (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 180kB)