Navy Command-Clyde Transformation Programme- Head of Organisational Design

Job summary

Clyde Transformation Programme: Delivering a warfighting ready Naval Base, securing our nation, creating jobs and regional growth. This is an exciting time to join the team; the delivery environment is both challenging and rewarding.

Navy Command Headquarters (NCHQ) is the nerve centre of the Naval Service. It supports operations around the globe and provides the ships, people, aircraft and equipment to deliver the UK’s defence policy.

In Navy Command, our civil servants work alongside their military colleagues in jobs that matter; jobs which often have a direct impact on the quality of the operational capabilities we deliver. Roles can offer great job satisfaction and there are many opportunities to develop and progress both within the Ministry of Defence and across the wider Civil Service.

The Submarine Directorate in Navy Command is responsible for all submarine in-service capability and availability, including oversight of the Submarine Flotilla and His Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde (HMNBC).

The Clyde Transformation Programme- Head of Organisational Design is responsible for the strategic leadership, direction and oversight for successful delivery of the Clyde Transformation Programme (CTP), a complex series of sub-programmes and projects.

Nationality, visas, and vetting:
For security reasons this role is open to sole UK nationals only. A ‘sole UK national’ refers to an individual who holds citizenship solely in the UK, without dual citizenship or nationality from another country.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

The Head of Organisational Design provides authoritative advice to senior leaders, maintains robust programme governance, and ensures that risk, financial control, commercial activity, assurance, and stakeholder engagement are managed effectively. The role is accountable for maintaining programme coherence, pace, and value for money, ensuring that outputs support long‑term fleet readiness and the continuous delivery of critical national submarine capability.

Initial focus for the role will be the establishment of the organisation, including the ownership model, internal sponsorship, client delivery model and supplier/commercial model. The Head of Organisational Design will work with multidisciplinary teams and coordinate activity across HMNBC, Navy Command, the Submarine Delivery Agency, DIO, DE&S, and industry partners to ensure integrated delivery across the Submarine Enterprise. The role will focus on providing pan-Programme governance and coherence, including the continued development of master planning, broader engagement, digital base, and establishing appropriate delivery models with delivery partners and then managing and growing that partnership as part of the wider leadership team lead by the SRO.

These programmes, later tranches and the associated business change activities will deliver a sustainable and resilient Clyde Naval Base in the late 2030s and beyond. The capability will allow for operation and in-water maintenance of the Sub-Surface Nuclear AUKUS (SSNA) class, create berthing resilience for the Dreadnought class and replace the current facility used to load and unload strategic weapons. Together they are essential to maintaining Operation RELENTLESS and SSNs at High Readiness as we transition to Dreadnought and SSNA classes. The Clyde Transformation Programme- Head of Organisational Design must deliver this capability while existing Naval Base operations continue and particularly while sustaining community support. Fostering and maintaining a close relationship with Naval Base Clyde staff, including the Base Commander, is therefore a crucial element of this role.

The Head of Organisational Design will be responsible for successful integration of capabilities delivered by multiple delivery partners including DIO, Navy Command, SDA, AWE and private sector partners to deliver a sustainable and resilient Naval base capable of supporting submarine operations until the 2070s.

Strategic Leadership and Direction

• The CTP Head of Organisational Design will provide clear leadership for the programme, setting the vision, priorities and direction aligned with Navy Command and Defence outcomes.
• Shape and lead the programme in support of Director Submarines’ strategic priorities, including platform availability, capability transition, infrastructure readiness, workforce sustainability and safe integration of new classes.
• Establish, maintain and evolve programme strategy, delivery roadmap and benefits realisation plan.
• Advise the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) on programme performance, risk posture, readiness impacts and cross-enterprise implications.
• Direct programme teams and delivery partners in support of programme objectives.
• Hold delegate authority for programme-level decisions as assigned by the SRO.
• Lead and manage a Whole Force team of military, Civil Service and contractor staff, cohering their efforts and fostering a ‘One Team’ approach to all delivery activity.

Programme Delivery and Governance

• Lead delivery of programme activity against critical milestones.
• Ensure compliance with MOD and Navy Command governance.
• Maintain and chair programme-level boards and working groups to ensure effective decision making and robust assurance.
• Provision of formal submissions for Investment Appraisal Committee approvals, draft and staff business cases and relevant papers for the programme.
• Maintain a coherent Programme Management Plan.
• Integrate delivery with SDA platform teams, DE&S delivery agents and DIO infrastructure programmes where dependencies exist.

Risk Issue and Assurance Management

• Lead identification, management and escalation of strategic risks and issues.
• Ensure appropriate independent assurance and drive recommendations to closure.
• Approve risks within authorised appetite and escalate those beyond tolerance.
• Champion continuous improvement and promote a culture of proactive risk mitigation.

Financial and Commercial Leadership

• Oversee programme budgeting, ensuring that approvals, forecasts and expenditures adhere to Navy Finance and delegated authorities.
• Manage allocated budgets within DSM’s financial governance and within delegated financial limits.
• Work with commercial teams to lead strategic procurement and industrial engagement.
• Ensure contracts support programme outcomes and value for money.
• Oversee complex commercial arrangements.
• Ensure VfM and compliance with contractual, safety and assurance obligations.

Stakeholder and Partner Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with Navy Command leadership, HMNBC leadership and staff, DE&S, DIO, SDA etc., industry partners and other Defence Stakeholders.
• Provide consistent and transparent communication with Ministers, DG-level leaders, NISTA and external auditors, where appropriate.
• Act as senior representative for the programme at governance boards.

People, Culture and Team Leadership

• Lead a high-performing multidisciplinary and Whole Force team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration and accountability.
• Develop capability within the programme team in line with MOD leadership expectations and functional professional guidance (Programme Delivery, Finance, Commercial, Engineering etc.).
• Ensure the safety, wellbeing and professional development of staff.

Person specification

Essential Experience:

• Experience in leading major programmes in Defence or similar high-risk environments.
• Understanding of MOD governance, investment approvals and Navy Command delivery structures.
• Ability to demonstrate leadership in multi-disciplinary, high stakes, politically sensitive contexts.
• Professional accreditation (e.g., APM Chartered Project Professional, Managing Successful Programmes)

Desirable Experience:

• Project Leadership Programme (PLP) qualification completed or part-completed.
• Experience of managing large and complex infrastructure or transformation programmes.

Technical skills:

Obtained or working towards one of the following: PRINCE2 Practitioner; Agile Project Management Practitioner; APM Project Management Qualification; PMI Project Management Professional; Leading and Managing Project Workstreams.

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £72,840, Ministry of Defence contributes £21,101 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 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%

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of office attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this and other flexible working arrangements may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD 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/.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

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.

Candidates can apply online via the Civil Service Jobs website by completing the application form before the deadline shown. Apply using the Civil Service Jobs apply button, filling in all required details in all sections. Using the Success Profiles link for information on format and style, ensure you provide evidence for all Behaviours requested in the appropriate competency style.

Sift Stage

Candidates will be required to complete an online CV template to include job history, full details of education and qualifications and previous experiences and skills. Please also include any relevant responsibilities and achievements.

Candidates will be required to complete a Statement of Suitability/Personal Statement of no more 500 words, providing details relevant to the essential and desirable experience in the job advert.

The requirements for the role have been benchmarked, and these will be used to sift all candidates, with those meeting the minimum requirements invited to interview.

Feedback will only be provided if you are selected for an interview.

Interview Stage

At interview, you will be assessed against experience and the following Behaviours:

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and influencing

Further Information

Candidates who are found to meet an acceptable standard at interview but are not successful in one of the advertised posts may be considered for similar roles within the Business Unit.

Nationality, visas, and vetting:
For security reasons this role is open to sole UK nationals only. A ‘sole UK national’ refers to an individual who holds citizenship solely in the UK, without dual citizenship or nationality from another country. You will also be expected to achieve a DV Security clearance for this role.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk .

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system.

Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.

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 developed vetting (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

Open to UK nationals only.

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 : navysm-dirclyderesource@mod.gov.uk
• Email : navysm-dirclyderesource@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk

Further information

Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: info@csc.gov.uk.

Attachments

20260128-Submarines Directorate Candidate Pack-O Opens in new window (pdf, 7165kB)22_0656 Navy Applicant guide A4 - Digital Opens in new window (pdf, 2922kB)EXTERNAL PACK (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)Candidate Information updated (1) Opens in new window (docx, 31kB)