Planning, Delivery & Engagement Manager and Deliverability Manager

Job summary

Working towards sustainable futures. Championing diversity in the workplace. At the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), it’s all in a day’s work. From HR to Finance, Policy to Communications, this is work that sustains and supports, where everyone’s voice is heard, and our customers are at the heart of everything we do. For a career packed with possibility, a comprehensive benefits package, where we live by our values and have the opportunity to improve the lives of people across the country, look no further.

Supporting people who need it most. That’s our purpose. Start your own career today.

The Departmental Planning and Performance division (DPP) is at the forefront of DWP’s agenda to improve how we plan and monitor performance across the department to support decision makers including the Permanent Secretary, the Executive Team (ET) and the Secretary of State. The division’s role is to develop a single cross-departmental strategic overview and plan to ensure the whole department is working towards the same outcomes and to keep delivery on track.

The post holders will join an energetic, vibrant, and collegiate team which plays a vital role in developing, maintaining and communicating a deliverable departmental plan (the Strategic Plan). You will work closely with our performance colleagues who assess how well it is delivered throughout the year.

These are challenging and exciting roles in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, working with senior officials in the organisation to strengthen strategic alignment and decision-making. We are a small team and individual accountability for delivering to a high standard is critical.

Places for Growth and Social Mobility

As part of the Places for Growth Programme, we are committed to delivering a more geographically diverse Civil and Public Service that will better serve the public and ministers.

As part of this initiative, we are continuously reviewing how we recruit into each location.

Job description

These are high profile and stretching roles which will offer the postholder a wide range of developmental opportunities to lead on key elements of the Division’s work to set and embed DWP’s future vision.

Strategic Planning Lead

The main responsibilities include:

• Managing the Strategic Plan production cycle including developing the timeline, commissioning contributions, and drafting coherent, evidence‑based content to ensure a clear, balanced narrative that reads with a single departmental voice.
• Leading the development and maintenance of Strategic Plan tracking tools ensuring they provide clear oversight of progress, risks and interdependencies, and acting as the primary project management and audit tools for the team.
• Planning and coordinating stakeholder engagement across all relevant groups to ensure timely and effective involvement. This includes proactively managing the clearance process with Directors, Directors General, the Permanent Secretary, SpAds, HMT/CO, junior ministers and SoS to secure alignment and sign
• Leading sections of the Strategic and Delivery Plans, building and maintaining strong relationships with policy and delivery leads, and applying negotiation, influence and constructive challenge to ensure the plan content is accurate, outcomefocused, and strategically aligned.
• Supporting continuous improvement of the strategic planning process, ensuring lessons are learned, good practice implemented, and opportunities for streamlining and enhancing strategic decision-making are captured, tracked and embedded through existing processes, governance and improvement mechanisms.
• Coordinating communication and engagement for the Strategic Plan, ensuring timely, consistent and wellinformed messaging across the department. This includes developing tailored messages, working with Strategic Communications to create highquality communication products, and collaborating with communications leads across the department to maintain coherent priorities and messaging. Preparing key launch materials - including drafting speaking notes for the Permanent Secretary and Director General and developing supporting packs.
• Contributing to and supporting the wider work of DPP, creating tools and products that help manage the work of the division and support the senior leadership team to ensure delivery of our objectives. This could include supporting on cross-team initiatives or championing structured and effective stakeholder management strategies.

You will need to be proactive, a confident communicator, very comfortable working in ambiguity and a keen problem solver who isn’t afraid of suggesting possible solutions.

Deliverability Manager

The main responsibilities include:

• Support the provision of timely deliverability assessments of DWP activities to inform internal and external senior decision-making and Plan changes. These include of the draft Strategic Plan, group or other level plans or proposed new/changed activities arising from fiscal events (e.g. Autumn Budget) and ministerial requests i.e. our responses to the Milburn and Timm’s reviews and the devolution White Paper. This will be achieved through targeted and clear commissioning of our Planning and deliverability community following agreed procedures, adapting where appropriate, analysing and synthesizing returns.
• Supporting Planning and Deliverability Leads and Private Offices to complete the budget allocations return and to input into deliverability assessments through supporting the running a Planning and Deliverability Community and other routine and ad hoc engagement.
• Supporting effective cross-DWP strategic planning and the annual production of an affordable and deliverable Strategic Plan. Your focus will be on securing robust deliverability considerations through the Strategic Finance-led design of budget allocations commission, products and quality control of returns. You will also support maturing DWP’s planning approach, in particular prioritisation.
• Supporting strategic planning decision-making by DGs, ET, DB and Investment Committee and ministers through the provision of timely, concise advice utilising deliverability assessments. Wherever possible/appropriate this will be in co-ordination with PFER, People Resourcing, Policy and Business Strategy and Risk.
• Contributing to and supporting wider work of the DPP, occasionally providing cover for other leads and working flexibly across team boundaries and identifying synergies with the performance team within DPP.

Hybrid working

These roles may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work.

If a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for the role and for you, you will normally be required to spend a minimum of 60% of your contracted working hours from your DWP office.

If you have a disability, caring responsibilities, or other circumstances that may affect your ability to meet the minimum office attendance requirement, please discuss this with us using the contact details in this advert.

These roles can only be carried out in the UK.

Visa Sponsorship

For these vacancies, we strongly recommend that applicants consult with an immigration specialist or qualified advisor to assess their eligibility for Visa Sponsorship before deciding to apply. Please note that while we consider sponsorship requests in accordance with current DWP guidance and Home Office policy, sponsorship cannot be guaranteed.

Locations

You will be asked for your preference which will tell us where you would prefer to work if you are successful. Please do not select a location unless you are prepared to accept a role in that location.

Please note that for candidates requesting to work in Newcastle, Blackpool, Sheffield & London, these locations will be changing:

Newcastle Benton Park View will move to Newcastle Pilgrim Place in Autumn 2027
Sheffield Hartshead Square will move to Sheffield 1 West Bar Hub in 2028

Blackpool, Peel Park will move to Blackpool, Fylde View in April 2028

London Caxton House will move to London Sanctuary House in Summer 2027

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 here.

Successful candidates will be posted in merit order based on your location preferences, where appropriate, and the geographical requirements of the business. Dependent on your position on the merit list, if none of your location preferences remain at the point we make a job offer DWP may offer you a role at an alternative advertised location. If we are unable to offer you a role in any of your preferred locations, and you are unable to accept a role at an alternative advertised location, we will add you to the reserve list if one is being held.

Some travel may be required, but individuals’ circumstances will be taken into account.

Person specification

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

• Lead Criteria: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt style to ensure maximum impact. Experience of drafting publications, advice and/or reports to senior managers/Ministers. The ability to summarise and explain technical issues in a clear and straightforward way for internal and/or external audiences, helping to inform strategic discussions and/or decision making.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with experience of developing and maintaining strong and influential relationships with senior stakeholders both internally and/or externally to achieve results. Able to provide effective challenge to others, to draw out key messages and themes while responding to stakeholder feedback.
• A strong track record of managing substantial workloads and competing priorities to deliver high quality outputs requiring close attention to detail, sometimes to very short deadlines. Able to operate with a high degree of autonomy and personal accountability. Able to manage information from multiple stakeholders, tracking and utilising, keeping a clear audit trail.Awareness of project management techniques, including approaches to planning and risk management (although formal qualifications are not required).
• Experience of manging and interpreting large volumes of complex and sometimes ambiguous information and clearly communicating findings to stakeholders. Able to use knowledge of organisational priorities and insights to make timely recommendations that improve ways of working and/or support credible decisions.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

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

• Please outline your skills and experience demonstrating how you meet the Lead Essential Criteria listed for this position in no more than 250 words

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,447, Department for Work and Pensions contributes £12,876 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).

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 23 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, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

Sift stage:

Initial sift – Lead Criteria

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide evidence of no more than 250 words against the Lead Essential Criteria listed under person specification.

We are interested in what you did and how you did it, and what was the outcome, as part of your example. Please note due to system restrictions you may be asked to complete your personal statement ahead of the lead criteria on the application form.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Only candidates who pass the initial sift on the Lead Criteria will be progressed to full sift of your CV and Personal Statement.

Full sift:

You will be required to provide an up‑to‑date CV clearly outlining your employment history, outlining your skills and experience for the role. You will be asked to input this into the application and you are NOT required to attach as a document.

You will also need to complete a Personal Statement of up to 750 words, addressing the remaining Essential Criteria outlined in the application form. Please note that references to the Lead Criteria do not need to be included in this section. Further guidance on what is expected is available within the application form.

The sift panel will assess your suitability based on the information provided in your CV and Personal Statement. You will only receive a score for your Personal Statement and CV if you pass the initial sift. Each element will be individually scored.

Interview stage:

If you have been successful in sift stage, you will be invited to an online interview via MS Teams. You will need to produce evidence of ID at the interview.

The interview will take a blended approach, and you will be assessed against the behaviours outlined in the job advert, as well as strength-based questions.

Further information will be provided to those who are invited to interview, and feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Application sift is planned to be carried out week commencing: 2nd November 2026

Interviews are planned to be carried out week commencing: 23rd November 2026

Please be advised that the above dates are indicative only and are subject to change.

DWP may consider increasing the overall pass mark at sift or interview stage in order to manage applications and outcomes.

Further Information​

At the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.

Find out more about working for DWP on the DWP Careers Hub.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

If you are placed on a reserve list but we cannot immediately offer you a post, please note:

• If you are later offered the role you applied for, in a location you have expressed a preference for, and you decline the offer or are unable to take up the post within a reasonable timeframe you will be withdrawn from the campaign and removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances (e.g. a contractual Part Time Working Pattern cannot be accommodated in the initial role offered or in cases of serious ill health).
• If DWP makes an offer of an alternative role or location to that which you originally applied for, and you decline that offer, you will be able to remain on the reserve list.

Disability Confident Scheme

If high application volumes are received, the benchmark for candidates to proceed to the next stage may be raised. In line with our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS), we aim to advance all candidates applying under the DCS who meet the minimum standard. However, we may only progress those candidates who best meet the required standards.

Reasonable Adjustments

We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should contact the Government Recruitment Service via DWPRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Reasonable Adjustments” section in 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 if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Integrity, plagiarism and Civil Service Principles

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles.

Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words.

Examples of plagiarism can include:

- Presenting the work, ideas and experience of others as your own

- Copying content or answers from an online or published source that is not your own

Disclosure and Barring Service and Internal Fraud Database Checks

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.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check will be carried out.

Important

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

Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. If you are a current employee and are successful you must be able to be released from your current post within four weeks.

Those on protected TUPE/ COSoP terms and conditions applying on promotion or voluntary permanent level move will adopt DWP’s Terms and Conditions and this may have a different impact on pay and allowances. Please review this prior to acceptance of a role.

Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing. Accepting a post will be taken to mean acceptance of revised terms & conditions.

Civil Servants applying on promotion will usually be appointed to the salary minimum or within 10% of existing salary.

Any move to DWP 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 the Childcare Choices Website.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.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 : John Hudson
• Email : John.hudson1@dwp.gov.uk

Recruitment team

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

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DWP by email: HR.BUSINESSASSURANCE@DWP.GOV.UK.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. Click here to visit the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments

95 Welsh CP Opens in new window (pdf, 799kB)DWP Terms and Conditions January 2024 Opens in new window (docx, 17kB)Success-Profiles-Candidate-Overview Opens in new window (pdf, 635kB)97 Cand Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 895kB)