Deputy Director - Analysis, Enablers and Strategy, Future Transport Systems

Job summary

This is a senior leadership role in a dynamic and future-facing part of the Department for Transport. The role-holder will take responsibility for a large, multidisciplinary team which does essential work to enable the delivery of Future Transport Systems (FTS) Directorate strategic priorities. As an SCS analyst, the role-holder will also play a decisive role in shaping and delivering the Department’s strategy for analysis and data. This is a permanent role.

As part of the Road Transport Group, FTS is committed to delivering a world-leading safe, sustainable and equitable road transport system for the user. We do this by developing and applying evidence, forging strategic partnerships and leveraging technology to deliver high-quality outcomes and enable effective operational delivery. Our values are that we are professional; we are curious; and we deliver.

The Directorate leads across a range of critical areas, including road safety, international vehicle standards, connected and autonomous vehicles and sponsorship of the motoring agencies (DVLA, DVSA and VCA).

Analysis and evidence are critical to everything we do. This role’s focus is on overseeing timely and high-quality analysis that shapes the Directorate’s policy development and delivery plans. The role-holder is also responsible for managing i) the FTS Hub for business support, portfolio management, briefing and correspondence, ii) motoring agency sponsorship coordination, and iii) a programme team delivering Road Transport Group’s capital spending on technology and innovation.

Job description

Responsibilities of the role include:

• Lead a large, multidisciplinary team (economics, social research, statistics, policy, project delivery, strategy, administration and corporate support) spread across four DfT office locations. The team comprises of:
• The road vehicle technology analysis unit, supporting the policy work on vehicle standards and self-driving vehicles.
• The road safety and motoring agency analysis branch.
• Road safety, vehicle and EV charging infrastructure statistics.
• The FTS Hub comprising of the Portfolio Office, briefing and correspondence and the Director’s Office.
• Motoring Agency sponsorship coordination.
• The road transport innovation and technology programme team.
• Lead on and take responsibility for the fast-paced and demanding work of each of these components, which are all frequently subjected to shifting priorities and external demands.
• Play a critical leadership role across the wider Future Transport Systems Directorate as the most senior analyst.
• Oversee quality and timely delivery of analytical outputs, such as options assessments, business cases, evaluation and strategic analysis and evidence development.
• Support the wider Department, its Chief Analyst and Director of Data in shaping and executing wider goals on analysis.
• Take responsibility for the execution of the road transport innovation programme, keeping the team motivated and well-connected across the Department and acting as Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) for two of the major projects.
• Build and develop relationships with key stakeholders within the organisation, the wider public sector and externally.
• Take responsibility for the professional development of self and team.

Person specification

You will need to be able to show, through your application, that you have the professional skills, breadth of experience and personal qualities for this post, as well as the leadership skills to succeed at Deputy Director level in the Senior Civil Service.

Experience

• Leading multidisciplinary teams in a confident and inclusive way.
• Managing change and being flexible in the face of shifting priorities and deadlines.
• Knowledge of appraisal and social cost benefit analysis techniques, principally those set out in the HM Treasury Green Book, in settings that are relatable to Government practice.
• Building strategic partnerships with stakeholders both within DfT and externally.
• Setting clear goals, objectives and vision for a team and following through on those.
• An outstanding track record of leading large and complex analytical programmes to solve problems and drive change through delivering high impact analysis that directly influences strategic, policy and operational approaches and decision-making.​
• Strong communication skills with a proven ability to communicate clearly and work effectively with a range of stakeholders at all levels, including Ministers and other senior stakeholders in a fast moving and complex policy environment.

Technical

You must be a member of, or eligible to become a member of, one of the Government analytical professions:

• Economics (GES)
• Social Research (GSR)
• Statistics (GSS)
• Operational Research (GORS)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £86,000, Department for Transport contributes £24,914 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).

Whatever your role, we take your career and development seriously, and want to enable you to build a really successful career with the Department and wider Civil Service.

It is crucial that our employees have the right skills to develop their careers and meet the challenges ahead, and you’ll benefit from regular performance and development reviews to ensure this development is ongoing. As a Civil Service employee, you’ll be entitled to a large range of benefits.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service values and supports all its employees.

We have strong and pro-active staff networks, special leave policies for hospital appointments, reasonable adjustments put in place for those who need them, and diversity talent programmes to help everyone irrespective of background, to achieve their potential.

Pension

Your pension is a valuable part of your total reward package.

A competitive contributory pension scheme that you can enter as soon as you join where we will make a significant contribution to the cost of your pension; where your contributions come out of your salary before any tax is taken; and where your pension will continue to provide valuable benefits for you and your family if you are too ill to continue to work or die before you retire. Visit Civil Service Pension Scheme for more details.

Generous Annual Leave and Bank Holiday Allowance

25 days annual leave on entry, increasing on a sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service (allowance is pro rata for part-time employees). This is in addition to 8 public holidays.

This will be complimented by one further day paid privilege entitlement to mark the King’s Birthday.

Staff Wellbeing

Flexible working including part-time or term-time working and access to Flexible Working Schemes allowing you to vary your working day as long as you work your total hours.

Generous paid maternity and paternity leave which is notably more than the statutory minimum offered by many other employers

Childcare benefits (policy for new employees as of 5 April 2018): The government has introduced the Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) scheme. Working parents can open an online childcare account and for every £8 they pay in, the government adds £2, up to a maximum of £2,000 a year for each child or £4,000 for a disabled child. Parents then use the funds to pay for registered childcare. Any move to the DfT from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments.

Onsite facilities

Opportunity to use onsite facilities including fitness centres and staff canteens (where applicable).

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

Application

Veredus are managing this competition on behalf of the Department for Transport. To apply, please submit the following through the Veredus website at Opportunities , Veredus quoting reference 1202by no later than 23:55on 14 September 2026.

The application will include:

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
• A Statement of Suitability (no longer than 1,000 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification.

Failure to submit both documents will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification.

As part of the online application process, you will also be required to complete the following:

• Diversity Monitoring Form - All monitoring data will be treated in the strictest confidence, will not be provided to the selection panel and will not affect your application in any way. If you do not wish to provide a declaration on any of the particular characteristics, you will have the option to select 'prefer not to say’ (via this link)DIVERSITYMONITORING FORM – Fill in form
• Candidate Supporting Information Form (via this link) CANDIDATE SUPPORTING INFORMATION FORM – Fill in form

If applicable, please also download from our website, complete and submit the following forms;

• Disability Confident Scheme Form
• Veteran’s Scheme Form

Should you encounter any issues with your application please contact:

Anna.Tan@veredus.co.uk or Laura.Spurgin@veredus.co.uk

For a confidential discussion to help inform your application, please contact our recruitment advisors at Veredus:

Anna.Tan@veredus.co.uk or Laura.Spurgin@veredus.co.uk

Longlist

The panel will assess your application to select those demonstrating the best fit with the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the essential criteria set out in the ‘Person Specification’ section. Failure to address any or all of these may affect your application. ​

The timeline later in this pack indicates the date by which decisions are expected to be made, and all candidates will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter. Candidates selected for longlisting will be invited for a preliminary discussion with Laura Spurgin to further explore their skills and experience.​

Candidates applying under the Disability Confident, Redeployment or Veterans Scheme who meet the minimum selection criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. Please complete the relevant parts in the application system if applying under these schemes.

Shortlist

The panel will review reports on those longlisted and will select a shortlist of candidates whose applications best demonstrate suitability for the role, by considering the evidence provided against the essential criteria set out in the Person Specification

Assessment

If you are shortlisted, you will be asked to take part in the following assessments :​

• Staff Engagement Exercise - a presentation and Q&A with a representative staff group from across the DfT.

These assessments will not result in a pass or fail decision. Rather, they are designed to support the panel’s decision making and highlight areas for the panel to explore further at interview.

Informal Discussions

Shortlisted candidates will have the opportunity to speak to Claire Wren prior to the final interview. This is an informal discussion to allow candidates to learn more about the role and is not part of the assessment process

Interview

You will be asked to attend a panel interview where you will be asked to give a presentation and then have a more in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.

Interviews are expected to take place face to face in either our Leeds or Birmingham office (further information will be provided to shortlisted candidates).

Outcome and Feedback

Unfortunately, due to the anticipated number of applicants for this role, we may not be able to provide feedback to those not successful at longlist stage.

Timeline

The timeline later in this pack indicates the date by which decisions are expected to be made, all candidates will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter, and we will advise on any delays.

Expected Timeline

We will try and offer as much flexibility as we can, but it may not be possible to offer alternative dates for assessments or interviews. You are therefore asked to note the below timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process, in order to meet the dates given. Please note that these dates may be subject to change.

The anticipated timetable is as follows:

Advert Closing Date: 23:55 on 14 September 2026

Longlist: W/C 28 September 2026

Shortlist: W/C 12 October 2026

Assessments: 19 October 2026

Panel Interviews: 2 November 2026

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 (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.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 : Anna Tan
• Email : Anna.Tan@veredus.co.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : Scs.recruitment@dft.gov.uk

Further information

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 scs.recruitment@dft.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.

Attachments

DD FTS AES Candidate Pack - Final Opens in new window (pdf, 1019kB)