Deputy Director – Data as Statistics and Head of Profession for Statistics

Job summary

Data as Statistics is DWP’s central statistical function, responsible for delivering the Department’s programme of Official Statistics and statistical services. Our purpose is to deliver statistics that are trustworthy, high quality and deliver value, supporting evidence-based decision-making and public accountability.

Data as Statistics is about taking and creating data, adding value through analysis and insight, and delivering statistics that tell the story of the welfare system and inform decisions at every level.

We work across:

• The Department’s core welfare system statistics
• Surveys and income analysis
• Performance measurement and benefit reviews that underpin reporting on Fraud and Error

Looking ahead to Data as Statistics 2030, we are reshaping how we deliver this work - focusing on prioritisation, modern platforms, administrative data, and redesigned performance measurement aligned with a more digital benefit system.

Through this, we ensure statistics are used correctly, transparently and with impact supporting accountability to Ministers, Parliament and the public.

Our structure and community

Data as Statistics is a multidisciplinary function of around 260, bringing together people from across analytical professions and operational delivery roles.

Job description

This role combines two senior responsibilities:

Deputy Director Data as Statistics, with accountability for delivery, transformation, people and resources

• Leading the Data as Statistics function, with full accountability for delivery, transformation, people and resources
• Setting the strategic direction for the function, including delivery of the Data as Statistics 2030 vision
• Leading a large, complex and high-performing multidisciplinary workforce
• Driving prioritisation and transformation of the statistical portfolio, including greater use of administrative data, modern platforms and reproducible analytical pipelines
• Acting as Senior Responsible Owner for key statistical services and programmes
• Managing significant budgets and resources to deliver value for money
• Providing visible, authentic and inclusive leadership for senior teams

Head of Profession for Statistics, providing professional leadership for statisticians across DWP and acting as the Department’s senior statistical authority

• Acting as DWP’s senior professional authority on statistics, ensuring compliance with the Code of Practice for Statistics
• Setting and owning the vision for statistics across the Department, including the Statistical Work Programme
• Championing the appropriate and intelligent use of statistics with Ministers, Special Advisers, Private Office and senior leaders
• Managing strategic relationships with the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR), the Government Statistical Service (GSS) and other departments
• Providing professional leadership to around 300 statisticians across DWP, building capability, inclusion and engagement
• Owning and managing risks relating to the use of statistics in both internal decision-making and the public domain
• Representing DWP in cross‑government statistical leadership forums

You will work closely with the Deputy Head of Profession for Statistics to strengthen capability, support statisticians across the Department, and maintain a vibrant, inclusive and high-performing professional community

Person specification

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate their knowledge, experience and skills against the following essential criteria:

• Senior leadership of statistics or analysis at scale, with a strong and consistent focus on trustworthiness, quality and value, including accountability for high-profile outputs in a complex organisation
• Professional authority and credibility in applying and championing the Code of Practice for Statistics, including ensuring appropriate and intelligent use of statistics in decision-making
• Experience of leading large, multidisciplinary analytical teams, setting clear strategic direction and delivering outcomes through others in complex, high‑scrutiny environments
• Experience operating in politically sensitive and highly visible policy areas, providing balanced, authoritative advice while maintaining professional independence
• Strong system leadership across an analytical community, working across professions (e.g. statistics, economics, social research, operational research) to build capability, foster collaboration and maximise impact

Desirable criteria

• Experience leading large statistical production or survey programmes
• Experience transforming analytical production through the use of administrative data, modern data platforms or reproducible analytical pipelines

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Membership of the Government Statistician Group (GSG) or have the required qualifications and experience, aligned to the Government Statistician Group competency framework, to become a member of this profession.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £81,000, Department for Work and Pensions contributes £23,465 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

DWP have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

• Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
• Generous annual leave – at least 25 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro–rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
• Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
• Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
• Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year’s continuous service.
• Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
• An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many 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 and Experience.

To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application process outlined below no later than 23:55pm on Monday 22 June 2026

• 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 personal statement (maximum 1250 words explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities, and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential 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.

Virtual Engagement Session ​

Date: Monday 15 June Time: 10:00-11:00am

This virtual session is an opportunity for you to find out more about the role. You'll get the opportunity to hear directly from the vacancy holder Catherine Hutchinson who will provide an overview of the role and hold a Q&A session Join the event here Live Engagement Session

If you are shortlisted, you will be asked if you are a member of the Government Statistician Group (GSG) as part of the application process. If you answer no to the membership question and are not a member of the GSG then you will be required to undertake and pass a GSS online multiple choice test in order for your application to progress to assessment and interview stage. You must pass this test in order for your application to progress to the next stage. If you do not pass this test your application will be rejected.

You are encouraged to try the test attached to the advert before attempting the real test.

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 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 : Senior.recruitment@dwp.gov.uk
• Email : senior.recruitment@dwp.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : senior.recruitment@dwp.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 in the first instance contact: senior.recruitment@dwp.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response, you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments

Candidate pack - Deputy Director Data as Statistics and Head of Profession for Statistics FINAL Opens in new window (pdf, 569kB)GSS Online Practice Test Opens in new window (docx, 67kB)Candidate pack - Deputy Director Data as Statistics and Head of Profession for Statistics CYM WELSH Opens in new window (pdf, 572kB)