Regional Analysis Deputy Director

Job summary

This is a pivotal Deputy Director role at the heart of RG’s future capability.

You will lead the transformation of our Data and Analysis function into a strategic, insight-led engine that drives decision-making, targets delivery and improves outcomes for children at scale.

You will combine strategic leadership, analytical expertise and operational delivery to ensure that data and insight shape how RG prioritises, intervenes and delivers across the system.

Job description

Regions Group (RG) works with local partners to break down the barriers to opportunity so that every child is safe, has the best start in life and can achieve and thrive. We do this through:

• Collaboration – we develop strong relationship to lead, bring together, challenge and support our partners
• Regulation – we ensure standards are met, share effective practice and take action to improve outcomes
• Delivery – we use our knowledge, delivery expertise and influence to achieve the Department’s objectives.

Data, analysis and insight are at the heart of our work, enabling our regional and national teams to make evidence-based decisions affecting children’s outcomes. This work is growing in scale and importance, so we have created this new Deputy Director role to bolster and redesign our existing G6-led Data and Analysis Unit. This is a pivotal strategic, analytical and operational leadership role, ensuring our data and analysis function provides the best possible service for the Group.

Lead RG’s data and insight capability​

• Lead data, analysis and insight across Regions Group to drive better decisions and delivery​
• Deliver high-quality insight and evidence across core priorities (SEND, CSC, schools, trusts, local government and system performance)​
• Support ministerial and senior decision-making, including LA Performance Boards, with clear benchmarking and evidence​

Turn data and evidence into action​

• Enable teams to understand, interpret and use data, building demand and self-service capability​
• Provide a holistic view of places and institutions, integrating multiple data sources into actionable insight​
• Support governance, planning and live decision-making, including rapid analytical support on priority issues​
• Work closely with digital and data colleagues to embed modern analytical and data tools and methods, including Databricks and explore opportunities for AI to make our work more efficient and impactful​

Lead a high-performing division​

• Set direction and lead a high-impact, multidisciplinary analytical team​
• Work across RG, policy, Digital, Data and Technology (DDT) to deliver a joined-up data and analytical strategy​
• Influence senior stakeholders, including Regional Directors, to drive delivery through insight​
• Attract, develop and retain top analytical talent, representing RG across the analytical community​
• Engaging, inspiring and supporting a cross-site team​

Drive performance and innovation​

• Shape KPIs and performance frameworks with Delivery and Performance colleagues​
• Lead efficiency, digitisation and continuous improvement across the function​
• Create a culture of critical thinking, innovation and problem-solving​

Operate as a senior system leader​

• Adapt priorities to meet the Group’s needs, taking on wider SCS-level responsibilities as required

Badging

This is a senior analytical post, applications will only be accepted from analysts who hold one of the following analytical profession badges:

Government Economic Service GES, Government Operational Service GORs, Government Statistical Service GSS, Government Social Research Service GSR

Person specification

In particular we are looking for someone who can demonstrate the following

Essential Criteria:​

• Strategic Leadership of Data, Analysis and Insight Functions - experience of leading and transforming a high-performing data, analysis or intelligence function adopting innovative approaches, possibly involving AI, to deliver strategic impact across a large, complex organisation.
• Using Data and Insight to Drive Delivery and Improve Outcomes - A strong track record of using data, analysis and evidence to improve performance, target interventions and achieve measurable outcomes at scale.
• Senior Operational Leadership - proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and lead and manage a range of analytical professions to produce high quality and timely analysis for delivery and policy.
• Stakeholder Influence - build productive relationships across organisational boundaries to deliver strategic objectives and think critically and strategically working alongside senior delivery and policy colleagues.
• Adaptability and Resilience - the ability to work flexibly and adapt to changing priorities, balancing competing demands and leading teams effectively in a complex, fast-paced environment while maintaining a focus on delivery.

Memberships

Government Economic Service GES
Government Operational Service GORs
Government Statistical Service GSS
Government Social Research Service GSR

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £86,000, Department for Education contributes £24,914 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).

Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies.

As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.

You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years’ service. In addition, all staff receive the King’s Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days’ bank and public holidays.

We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.

Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances, but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.

Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.

As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.

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

Application

To apply for this role, you need to complete an online application via the Civil Service Jobs portal. Applications will be accepted until 23:55 31 August 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 Statement of Suitability (no longer than 1000 words) detailing why should we consider you for this role, with focus on the essential criteria outlined in slide 9 and why you have chosen the Department for Education. You can choose to outline any further information you believe is relevant for the role or further demonstrates.

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.

Please note the CS Jobs system at the point of application states not to insert information that will identify you. As this is a Senior Civil Servant role so that we can understand your experience for this role please provide this information in the CV and Supporting Statement specifying your employment history.

If you are unable to apply online, please contact scs.recruitment@education.gov.uk in the first instance. Please visit our career site for further information on the Civil Service application process.

Please note the following:

• we cannot accept applications submitted after the closing date;
• applications will be assessed solely on the documentation provided;
• you will be subject to social media checks and references for this role;
• please refer to the advert and checklist above to ensure you have provided everything requested;
• applications will be acknowledged upon receipt;
• feedback will only be given to candidates unsuccessful following interview

Selection Process

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to:

• A formal panel virtual interview on either 14 or 15 September. Candidates will be asked to prepare a presentation for the interview (further information will be shared with shortlisted candidates) and they will be asked questions to further assess their Experience against the Essential Criteria as outlined on slide 9.

Please note that at interview stage we may ask if you have any conflicts of interest to declare and social media checks maybe conducted prior to appointment.

Candidates with disabilities

As an employer we are committed to promoting and protecting the physical and mental health and wellbeing of all our colleagues and applicants. The Department for Education uses the Disability Confident scheme (formerly the Guaranteed Interview scheme) to help widen employment opportunities for disabled people. Applicants with disabilities who meet the essential criteria, as stated in the person specification, the Civil Service nationality requirements and indicate they are applying under the Disability Confident scheme will be guaranteed an interview.

Employment scheme for Veterans

The ‘Great Place to Work for Veterans scheme’ makes it easier for veterans to join the Civil Service. If you opt into this scheme and meet the minimum criteria, you’ll progress to the next stage for most roles – whether that’s an interview or an online test.

Other Information

We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.

In order 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 circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFE@education.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.

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

Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.

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

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.

Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs

Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.

Reasonable adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Department of Education via scs.recruitment@education.gov.uk soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Assistance required” 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.

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming 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/

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.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 : SCS Recruitment Team
• Email : SCS.recruitment@education.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : SCS.Recruitment@education.gov.uk

Further information

The Department for Education’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles, which outlines that selection for appointment is made on merit based on fair and open competition. You have the right to complain if you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles. In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly with the department concerned via CentralRecruitment.Operations@education.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages

Attachments

SCS Candidate Pack - RG Analytical DD Opens in new window (pdf, 1362kB)DFE Terms & Conditions - accessible version (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 215kB)SCS OGD Transfer Supplementary Information - accessible version Opens in new window (pdf, 325kB)Reasonable Adjustments guide 05_2025 - accessible version (3) Opens in new window (pdf, 723kB)