Portfolio Investment Deputy Director

Job summary

The Government Property Agency is the largest property holder in government, with more than £2.1 billion in property assets and over 55% of the government’s office estate.

We are transforming the way the Civil Service works by creating great places to work, leading the largest commercial office programme in the UK, working towards halving carbon emissions from government offices, and achieving greater value for taxpayers. And we are looking for innovative, solutions-focused people to join our team.

Representing the best covenant in the UK – His Majesty’s Government – we are leading significant transformational programmes such as the Government Hubs Programme, Whitehall Campus Programme and Net Zero Programme. We are also delivering cost-effective property services such as asset management, lifecycle replacement and workplace services.

Innovation and progress underpin our behaviours. We foster a culture of lifelong learning, where curiosity and self-improvement are encouraged. Our four core values are at the heart of everything we do. They shape our culture and guide how we work, lead and grow together:

• Striving for excellence- We always aim to deliver great results
• Empowering through respect- We insist on fair treatment for all, always
• Acting with integrity- We consistently do the right thing
• Succeeding together- We rely on each other to achieve success

We are committed to representing the communities we serve by making Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) part of everything we do. Our strong emphasis on EDI is not just about driving inclusion across our organisation, it is also about ensuring our services meet the needs of government departments and the civil servants who use our spaces. To ensure that we are always recruiting and retaining a diverse mix of talent, we are particularly inviting applications from candidates who are disabled, ethnically or gender diverse, and people who identify as being part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Join our dynamic and diverse team that leads with purpose, improving sustainability, nurturing social value, driving inclusivity and flexibility, and kickstarting economic growth. We are driven by purpose, and you can be part of it too: where you make a meaningful impact; where you influence; where your voice really matters; where you help to shape our future direction.

Job description

The role reports into the Chief Investment Officer (CIO) and leads on the strategic management of the portfolio and project initiation in a newly re-structured team. You will work alongside three existing Deputy Directors to ensure consistency of approach, governance, and stakeholder engagement on a national portfolio of projects. The role is responsible for the leadership and development of a team of 6 FTE , including two direct reports, supporting the delivery of the GPA Business Plan and the capital delivery portfolio under Government Hubs and Whitehall Campus Programme. This is an exciting and high-profile role with significant delivery and commercial leadership responsibilities, as well as opportunities for career growth and progression, with focus on prioritising and effectively allocating resources across the portfolio to ensure optimal delivery of strategic objectives in line with government priorities.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership: Provide strategic leadership to the Investment Portfolio team and contribute to the wider Investment Senior Leadership Team, fostering collaboration across the organisation and with strategic partners. As a member of the Investment Senior Leadership Team, contribute to the leadership of the team working collaboratively across GPA and with its strategic partners. Lead the Investment Portfolio team, coaching and supporting to develop individual and collective skills and experience. Lead Portfolio workstreams including Portfolio Planning, Business Case Investment, and Project Initiation. Builds a strong relationship with HMT, CO and any other approval stakeholders.
2. Enterprise Portfolio Development and Investment Planning: As part of the wider PMO capability in GPA, develop and implement a portfolio management approach, advising on delivery models, and funding options to maximise value from assets. Further develop the enterprise PMO and data management to deliver value through evidence-based decision-making. Drive the development of the enterprise PMO and data management, enhancing transparency, accountability, and the realisation of benefits in line with business cases. Work with GPA colleagues on investment appraisals providing advice on the redevelopment of existing freehold assets working with other Deputy Directors, weighing up different delivery models. Collaborate with GPA colleagues to support strategic investment planning and the development of compelling business cases. Ability to curate and steward all business cases from gestation to final approval (SOC, OBC, FBC).
   
   
3. Project Initiation and Business Cases: Lead project initiation activities, including the development of business cases, project proposals, and routes to market that optimise return on investment. Develop project proposals, business cases and routes to market that optimise cashable and non-cashable benefit returns on investment. Ensure benefits are realised in line with the business cases. Ensures that environmental and social considerations are embedded in Business Case development. Using management information, drive performance improvement across the Investment directorate, working with other Deputy Directors. Deliver reporting function on behalf of the CIO. Oversees the integration of digital tools in managing the portfolio of projects. Uses data analytics to prioritise work and allocate resources effectively across the portfolio.
   
   
4. Investment Management and Planning: Strengthen investment management and assurance capabilities across GPA, ensuring a robust Investment Approvals, Prioritisation and Initiation processes, supporting evidence-based decision-making across the portfolio. Provide insight and reporting for clients and GPA colleagues. Ensures the portfolio evolves to reflect changes in strategic directives and business priorities, maintaining balance to optimise delivery. Secures necessary resources from internal and external providers. Manages the integration of project outputs and dependencies within strategic objectives.
   
   
5. Financial Management and Affordability: Develop and maintain financial benchmarks through Property and Capital Projects PMO functions, managing Portfolio affordability and responding proactively to market cost pressures and inflation. Continue to develop cost and financial management in conjunction with Capital Projects finance colleagues and strategic partner cost management staff. Agrees the organisation's risk appetite for Portfolio planning and ensures it is embedded within the Investment Planning and wider organisation. Makes decisions in response to escalated risks or opportunities.

Person specification

• We are seeking an experienced, strategic and commercially astute individual to lead the Investment Portfolio team.
• This is a senior leadership role requiring a balance of deep technical expertise, strong stakeholder influence, and the ability to lead complex investment approvals in a high-value, high-accountability environment.
• The successful candidate will be able to operate at pace and with autonomy, while building trusted relationships and driving performance across multidisciplinary teams and external partners.
• They will bring proven experience in portfolio oversight, programme assurance, and the development of business cases that demonstrate value and support strategic investment decisions.
• The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of financial planning, affordability modelling, and commercial development, with the ability to evaluate delivery models and optimise asset value.

Experience & Technical Skills

Essential criteria:

• Deep technical accounting expertise, including preparation of complex statutory accounts, interpretation of accounting standards, and assurance over technical accounting treatments in line with relevant frameworks (e.g. IFRS)
• Understanding of public sector finance frameworks (FReM, Green Book, MPM, etc.)
• Extensive experience in senior finance leadership roles in complex organisations.
• Expertise in budgeting, management accounts and statutory reporting.
• Strong track record in presenting high-quality financial information to board equivalent level
• Proven experience overseeing the design and implementation of finance systems including the use of AI, RPA and Power BI, ensuring systems support robust financial management, enable effective reporting and drive continuous improvement in processes and controls across a complex organisation.
• Ability to balance competing priorities effectively ensuring delivery of critical objectives.
• Exceptional communication, influencing and technical written reporting skills with the ability to deliver clear advice.
• Demonstrable experience of building, leading and inspiring diverse teams, creating an environment of trust, accountability, and confidently managing teams and performance.

Qualifications and Accreditations

Essential criteria:

• Full (e.g. Chartered) professional membership/accreditation of a recognised property or construction professional body, for example but (not limited to) RICS and/or an equivalent programme qualification for example ChPP / FAPM, or the experience and willingness to seek such membership/accreditation.

And at least one of the following or equivalent:

• Better Business Cases Foundation
• Better Business Cases Practitioner
• Managing Successful Programmes Practitioner
• Management of Risk Practitioner
• Managing Portfolios Practitioner
• APM Project Management Qualification

Or equivalent experience with a willingness to complete these qualifications

Desirable criteria:

• Private Sector Experience

Qualifications

Full (e.g. Chartered) professional membership/accreditation of a recognised property or construction professional body, for example but (not limited to) RICS and/or an equivalent programme qualification for example ChPP / FAPM, or the experience and willingness to seek such membership/accreditation.

And at least one of the following or equivalent:
Better Business Cases Foundation
Better Business Cases Practitioner
Managing Successful Programmes Practitioner
Management of Risk Practitioner
Managing Portfolios Practitioner
APM Project Management Qualification

Behaviours

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

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

Technical skills

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

• Customer Perspective
• Commercial Acumen
• Property Market Knowledge
• Innovation

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £81,000, Government Property Agency 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 (opens in a new window).

• 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%

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.

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the communities and wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and well-being and aim to create a sense of belonging in a workplace where everyone feels valued. The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.

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 (RIS) to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

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).

Please note - At this time GPA are unable to offer any Visa Sponsorship to candidates as we do not currently hold a visa sponsorship licence. Please do not apply for permanent roles with GPA if you will require your employer to take on the sponsorship of your current or any future visas.

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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Sift

The sift is due to take place week commencing 13th July 2026.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to include a CV and a 750 - word personal statement. The personal statement should then align with the person specification.

Interview

GPA policy is for interviews to be held face to face, with virtual interviews only by absolute exception. The date and location will be confirmed if you are invited to interview. If you feel this will be a problem for you, please contact recruitment@gpa.gov.uk to discuss prior to submitting your application.

At interview, applicants will be scored against 4 behaviours - Seeing The Bigger Picture, Communicating and Influencing, Delivering At Pace and Leadership.

Interview questions will be a blend of Behaviour, Experience, Strength and Technical (core skill) questions.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.This role has a minimum assignment duration of 2 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.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 : Mike Lewis
• Email : michael.lewis@gpa.gov.uk

Recruitment team

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

Further information

The Department’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment based on merit, open and fair competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles, details of which can be found at http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk 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 the GPA People Team by email at HR@gpa.gov.uk, in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can further contact the Civil Service Commission at: Email: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk or in writing to: Civil Service Commission Room G/8 1 Horse Guards Road London SW1A 2HQ.