Head of Statistics

Job summary

Are you an enthusiastic, data-driven leader capable of working with leaders across the organisation to drive demand forecasting and support the modelling of income? Can you lead the development of our official statistics, ensuring they meet user needs and that improvements are delivered in an appropriate and timely manner? If so, we'd love to hear from you!

You will join the Statistics team in a pivotal role and have a rare opportunity to lead official statistics at the heart of the UK's company register. Our statistics on incorporations, dissolutions, and the composition of the register are used across government, by researchers, journalists, and businesses, and you'll be accountable for their quality, integrity, and value. We've recently invested in a new Cloud Data Platform, building modern analytical skills across the directorate and begun implementing reproducible analytical pipelines.

About the role

You will help set the direction of our statistical production, defining standards, and turning early progress into a sustainable production process. You will also lead demand forecasting for Companies House, developing models and forecasts that provide critical inputs into corporate and financial planning. This includes modelling the impact of major reforms, including the ongoing implementation of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, to help the organisation understand and plan for future demand.

About Companies House

Companies House holds one of the largest sources of data in the UK, supporting transparency, economic research and public trust. As we continue to evolve through legislative reform, the need for well-governed, trusted and clearly defined data has never been more important.

Job description

Security Clearance

Successful candidates must meet the requirements for Security Check (SC) clearance before they can be appointed. To be eligible for SC clearance, you must normally have lived in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years. Applications from candidates who do not meet these residency requirements are unlikely to be successful as clearance may be refused.

As Head of Statistics, your main duties will consist of but are not limited to:

• Leading the production and publication of our official statistics, ensuring full compliance with the Code of Practice for Statistics and extending the value of our outputs.
• Leading the transition of our statistical production to reproducible analytical pipelines on our Cloud Data Platform, delivering outputs that are automated, quality assured and sustainable, and retiring legacy manual processes.
• Acting as a subject matter expert on data and analysis.
• Make informed decisions on the quality and suitability of statistical outputs, using evidence and professional judgement to ensure robust analysis is delivered through the team, while leading relationships with the Office for Statistics Regulation and the wider Government Statistical Service.
• Lead, develop and grow a team of statistical professionals, building capability in modern analytical practices and transforming statistical evidence into clear, actionable insight for senior leaders, while communicating uncertainty in a transparent and balanced way.
• Lead the delivery of our demand forecasting model, providing robust, well-evidenced projections of future service and compliance workload to support organisational resourcing and financial planning decisions.

Where You'll Be Working

You will be aligned to either the Cardiff or Edinburgh office, where you will be expected to attend at least once a week. We are currently using a hybrid approach to the way we work which provides opportunities for you to be adaptable in the way you work so that you can achieve a healthy balance between your work and home life.

Your manager will agree regular patterns of attendance with you; however, you may be required to make yourself available to attend the office more frequently when required to meet business needs.

Working Hours:

This is a full-time position of 37 hours per week, we can accept applications for those looking to work part time or compressed hours, to a minimum of 30 hours over 4 days per week.

Sponsorship

Companies House cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. Companies House holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.

Should you apply for this role and require sponsorship, your application may be rejected, and any provisional offers of employment withdrawn.

Person specification

We are looking for a candidate who has:

• Experience of leading the production of official statistics, or comparable statistical outputs, including responsibility for the quality assurance and reproducibility of the underlying analysis.
• Experience of leading analysis in conditions of uncertainty, with the ability to elicit and challenge assumptions with senior stakeholders, communicate uncertainty clearly and rigorously, and apply the principles of the Aqua Book to the proportionate assurance of business-critical analytical models.
• The ability to work proactively and set the agenda, operating with a high degree of autonomy and confidently identifying priorities across a broad remit.
• Experience of leading and developing a team of analytical professionals, building capability and setting standards.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to present complex analysis and recommendations clearly, concisely and persuasively to senior and non-technical stakeholders, and to defend statistical judgements where needed.

Qualifications

Please provide details of your qualification(s) and/or relevant professional experience that demonstrate how you meet one of the the following requirements:

A first- or second-class honours degree in a numerate subject containing taught statistical content (e.g. Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Psychology, Geography);

OR a higher degree, for example MSc or PhD, in a subject containing formal statistical training (e.g. Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Psychology, Geography);

OR have achieved a Level 6 Data Scientist Degree Apprenticeship; OR have achieved a Level 4 Data Analytics apprenticeship and are able to demonstrate Continuous Professional Development via a logbook that has been signed off by an existing member of the GSG profession in the role of manager or mentor, covering 2 years in a statistical/data analysis field in government;

OR if you have worked in a statistical or data science field and are able to demonstrate Continuous Professional Development (via a logbook) covering a minimum of two years. You will need to evidence how you applied statistics or data science at the same level as a foundation degree or HND (level five) and demonstrates the expected skills as outlined in the GSG Competency framework.

NOTE: If successful at interview, you will need to evidence how you have applied statistics or data science at the same level as a foundation degree or HND (level five) and demonstrate the expected skills as outlined in the GSG Competency framework.

Behaviours

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

• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership

Technical skills

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

• Acquiring data and understanding customer needs.
• Data analysis.
• Presenting and disseminating data effectively.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £58,531, Companies House contributes £16,956 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).

We believe that our success is driven by the well-being and satisfaction of our team members at all levels of the organisation. At Companies House we’re committed to providing a comprehensive benefits package that goes beyond the ordinary, ensuring your career journey with us is not only fulfilling, but also rewarding. We pride ourselves on offering a quality work-life balance with our employee wellbeing being central to our working practices.

We offer a comprehensive range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, professional development and financial security, including:

• Flexible working arrangements, with no core hours and working patterns available between 6am and 8pm.
• Hybrid working opportunities, helping you balance office collaboration with home working.
• 30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, increasing with service.
• Civil Service Pension Scheme, with an average employer contribution of 28%.
• A strong commitment to learning, development and career progression.
• Access to wellbeing support, resources and initiatives that promote positive physical and mental health.
• A collaborative and inclusive working environment where colleagues are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work.

Head to Our benefits - Working for us - Recruitment (companieshouse.gov.uk) to find out more about the fantastic benefits package we have at Companies House.

We celebrate diversity

As an equal opportunity employer, we celebrate diversity, being committed to ensuring we’re representative of the citizens we serve and creating an inclusive environment. Everyone in Companies House brings something different, and so will you. To fulfil our commitment to recruiting and attracting diverse talent we welcome applications from underrepresented groups. We also welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

We are proud to be a disability confident leader. Our recruitment process is fully inclusive and we can make adjustments as needed through our process. These could include having an interview buddy, extra time at interviews/assessments and receiving interview questions in advance, to name a few. Read our 'Applying under the Disability Confidence Scheme (DCS)' guide to find out how to successfully complete an application under the Disability Confidence Scheme (DCS).

If you require any reasonable adjustments at application stage, or if you'd like to discuss any person-centred adjustments, please contact us by emailing recruitmentCH@companieshouse.gov.uk.

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.

Key information

Additional details on security and vetting

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements for Security Check (SC) before they can be appointed. Further information on the vetting process can be found at National security vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK.

To be eligible for SC clearance, candidates must meet the vetting criteria and have been a resident in the UK for at least 3 out of the last 5 years. Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.

Please review our vetting charter to understand what you can expect from the process - The vetting charter - GOV.UK

If you have questions regarding this or are unsure if you meet the eligibility criteria, please contact recruitmentch@companieshouse.gov.uk

What will the process look like?

To apply, please complete the online application form and provide the information outlined below.

Communications will be electronic via email therefore it is important that you check your Civil Service Jobs account regularly, as well as your spam/junk email folder.

We welcome applications in Welsh / Rydym yn croesawi ceisiadau yn y Gymraeg.

Key dates (dates are indicative only and could be subject to change)

• Closing date - 21st September 2026, at 23:55
• Sifting - 22nd September 2026 onwards
• Interviews - w/c 5th October 2026, via Microsoft Teams

To apply, please complete the online application form and provide the information outlined below.

Communications will be electronic via email therefore it is important that you check your Civil Service Jobs account regularly, as well as your spam/junk email folder.

Stage 1 – Sift

We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment. Please ensure your application is anonymous by removing personal identifiers, including names, from your employment history and supporting statements.

An initial sift of applications will be carried out to create a shortlist. This will be based on the evidence provided for the following Success Profile elements:

Experience
Your CV will be used to assess your suitability for the role alongside your 1250 word Personal statement.

CV

• Tell us about your employment history, including key responsibilities and achievements.
• Qualifications - Please provide details of your qualification(s) and/or relevant professional experience that demonstrate how you meet one of the the following requirements:
• A first- or second-class honours degree in a numerate subject containing taught statistical content (e.g. Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Psychology, Geography);
• OR a higher degree, for example MSc or PhD, in a subject containing formal statistical training (e.g. Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Psychology, Geography);
• OR have achieved a Level 6 Data Scientist Degree Apprenticeship; OR have achieved a Level 4 Data Analytics apprenticeship and are able to demonstrate Continuous Professional Development via a logbook that has been signed off by an existing member of the GSG profession in the role of manager or mentor, covering 2 years in a statistical/data analysis field in government;
• OR if you have worked in a statistical or data science field and are able to demonstrate Continuous Professional Development (via a logbook) covering a minimum of two years. You will need to evidence how you applied statistics or data science at the same level as a foundation degree or HND (level five) and demonstrates the expected skills as outlined in the GSG Competency framework.
• NOTE: If successful at interview, you will need to evidence how you have applied statistics or data science at the same level as a foundation degree or HND (level five) and demonstrate the expected skills as outlined in the GSG Competency framework.

Personal statement

Tell us why you’re a great fit for this role by writing a 1250 -word personal statement that highlights your relevant experience, skills, and motivations. As part of the assessment process, we’ll be reviewing your statement for clear evidence of how you meet the essential criteria outlined below:

• Experience of leading the production of official statistics, or comparable statistical outputs, including responsibility for the quality assurance and reproducibility of the underlying analysis.
• Experience of leading analysis in conditions of uncertainty, with the ability to elicit and challenge assumptions with senior stakeholders, express and communicate uncertainty rigorously, and apply the Aqua Book to the proportionate assurance of business-critical analytical models.
• The ability to work proactively and set the agenda, working with a high degree of autonomy and being comfortable identifying priorities across a broad remit.
• Experience of leading and developing a team of analytical professionals, building capability and setting standards.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to present complex analysis and recommendations clearly, concisely and persuasively to senior and non-technical stakeholders, and to defend statistical judgements where needed.

We encourage you to provide specific examples that demonstrate the impact of your work, the actions you took and the outcomes you achieved.

Please note: Should a large number of applications be received, a pre-sift may be conducted using the lead essential criteria highlighted in bold above. We may also raise the score required at sift stage to progress to interview if we receive a high number of applications.

Candidates who achieve the highest scores will progress to the next stage of the recruitment process. If vacancies remain after the initial selection process, we may subsequently consider additional candidates in merit order.

Stage 2 - Interview

If invited to interview Behaviours and Technicalbased questioning will be used.

Behaviours

The below Behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership

Technical Skill

Candidates will be assessed against the three technical competencies from the GSG competency framework, the following technical skills will be assessed at interview:

• Acquiring data and understanding customer needs.
• Data analysis.
• Presenting and disseminating data effectively.

Please note: candidates that proceed to the interview stage will be required to take part in an activity as part of the interview. This will be assessed against the technical skill "Presenting and disseminating data effectively" listed directly above. Further details will be provided to candidates invited to interview.

Interviews for this role will be carried out virtually via Microsoft Teams.

Stage 3 – Offer

Once all interviews have been completed, you will be notified of the outcome by email. Offers will be made in strict merit order to the highest scoring candidate first as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles.

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months. If suitable vacancies arise during this period, appointments may be made from the reserve list in merit order for the same, similar or lower-grade roles, subject to business need. Our recruitment process is based on the principles of fair and open competition and selection on merit, in line with the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles.

Applicants to note
Incomplete and/or late submissions will not be accepted or considered.

CVs sent direct to Companies House will not be accepted.

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

If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process, or if you'd like to discuss any person-centred adjustments then please let the recruitment team know viarecruitmentch@companieshouse.gov.uk

Pre-Employment Checks

Successful candidates will be required to complete pre-employment screening, including Right to Work checks.

As part of the pre-employment screening process, successful candidates will also be subject to a check against the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check compares personal details, including name, date of birth and National Insurance number, against records relating to individuals who have been dismissed, or would have been dismissed had employment continued, for fraud or dishonesty offences within the Civil Service. Where a match is identified, employment will normally not be offered unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated.

Candidates whose application is affected by information held on the Internal Fraud Database will be informed accordingly. Please note that individuals dismissed from a Civil Service organisation for internal fraud are not eligible to apply for Civil Service employment for a period of five years following their dismissal.

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

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 : Jack Dowling
• Email : recruitmentch@companieshouse.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitmentch@companieshouse.gov.uk

Further information

We welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

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. In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles, our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of appointment on the basis of merit by fair and open competition. 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 infopoint@companieshouse.gov.uk in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission .

info@csc.gov.uk

Civil Service Commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road SW1A 2HQ