Details
Reference number
422112
Salary
£54,857
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
Job grade
Grade 7
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
DVLA - Human Resources and Estates Directorate
Type of role
Commercial
Estates
Working pattern
Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time
Number of jobs available
1
Contents
* Location
* About the job
* Benefits
* Things you need to know
* Apply and further information
Location
Swansea
About the job
Job summary
Do you have an understanding of commercial processes?
Can you build solid working relationships with internal and external stakeholders?
Are you able to look at the bigger picture and consider the wider factors?
If so, we would love to hear from you
This is an exciting opportunity to work in a fast-paced and varied role, where no two days are the same. A challenging yet high profile, rewarding role, with flexibility to shape the team.
Job description
The Head of Estates Controls will be accountable for the creation and delivery of an efficient and comprehensive supplier management and engagement function during the mobilisation and throughout each contract period. You will work collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure effective relationships are developed to enable the delivery of services.
Working with the contract owners you will be responsible for the contract governance and management standards and processes for all estates related contracts, with a view to developing a suite of best practice standards and processes that can be applied to all future Estates Management Group (EMG) contracts to create a centralised function for contract management. You will be the subject matter expert for all estates related contracts.
You will be accountable for tracking supplier performance. You will act as the first point of escalation for contract or supplier issues, acting as a key interface with the Commercial Department, providing advice and guidance to key stakeholders as required.
You will also be supported by an Estates Control Manager, who will co-ordinate the mobilisation of future estates service contracts, design and implement relevant contract governance and management processes, and manage supplier performance and payments.
Responsibilities
Your responsibilities will include but will not be limited to:
* Having a comprehensive understanding of each of the estates related contracts, be the subject matter expert and first point of contact for all contractual queries.
* Working with the Commercial team, own all estates supplier contractual elements and ensure contract governance standards and processes are adhered to. Ensuring delivery remains compliant in line with strategy and delivery of contractual commitments by each supplier.
* Working alongside Contract Owners, being responsible for ensuring successful commercial mobilisation of estates related contracts.
* Being responsible for developing a comprehensive stakeholder management and engagement process to ensure effective communication between suppliers and agency stakeholders, to ensure provision of a seamless service.
For further information about the role please see the attached role profile.
Additional Information
Applications will be accepted from full time/part time/job sharers. Full time roles at DVLA consist of 37 hours per week. Part time and/or flexible working may also be available subject to the needs of the business. If you have a flexible or part time working requirement, you should contact the vacancy holder in advance of making an application to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your desired working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role. To contact the vacancy holder, please use the job contact details listed under 'Contact point for applicants'.
Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills set out in the Civil Service Line Management Standards. We aim to empower line managers to create teams where people can flourish and deliver excellent outcomes for the public.
Person specification
You will have excellent communication skills and a track record of working with a range of partners, communicating in a clear and straightforward manner to reach consensus and agreeable solutions.
You will enjoy working collaboratively and building productive working relationships with senior leaders, suppliers and consultants within and outside of the Department.
You will be analytically minded with the ability to accurately and effectively interpret data. You are someone with a keen eye for detail, and who thrives in an environment where you provide excellent customer service. You are well organised with an ability to manage multiple and often conflicting priorities to time and to a high standard.
You are a confident leader, someone who can lead by example and set the tone for those around you. You will be an advocate for change, promoting a culture of continuous improvement within your team.
You have good judgement and problem-solving skills and can make sound evidence-based decisions, backing these up where required. You are able to look at the bigger picture and consider the wider factors.
Due to the evolving nature of the business, vacancies can become available at any time. Therefore, this campaign may create a reserve list to fulfil demand if it arises which will be held for a period of 12 months.
Memberships
Membership of BIFM, IWFM or similar estates professional membership.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Changing and Improving
* Communicating and Influencing
* Managing a Quality Service
* Seeing the Big Picture
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £54,857, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency contributes £15,892 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:
* Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
* 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
* 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King's birthday.
* Access to the staff discount portal.
* Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
* Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
* 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
* Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies .
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
How to Apply
As part of the application process for this role you will need to submit a CV with a Personal Statement of up to 1250 words. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
For your CV and Personal Statement, please provide detailed evidence of your experience of the following essential criteria:
* Understanding of commercial processes.
* Knowledge of facilities management.
* Reviewing and reporting progress on contract & commercial activities, including identifying and developing solutions to address areas of concern.
* Resolving complex issues and disputes where appropriate.
* Developing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders with the resilience and determination to achieve key strategic goals - managing challenge and influencing key decisions.
Click here for further guidance on writing a CV and Personal Statement.
The sift is due to take place 30 September - 03 October 2025.
Interviews will be held week commencing 13 October 2025.
This interview will be conducted on site at DVLA, Swansea. Further details of which will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.
We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.
If invited to interview, this may consist of a range of question types. These could include questions around Behaviours and how you would respond in any situation as well as specific examples of things you have done.
The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include:
* An interview
* A presentation
The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
For further information on Success Profiles visit our Careers website.
Please take note that DVLA does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application or used during interview is truthful and factually accurate. Applications may be rejected if plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or concepts generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
Reasonable Adjustments
As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
Complete the "Assistance required" section in the "Additional requirements" page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Document Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email for assistance.
Further Information
For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.
Pre-employment Checking
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 your application is successful but you have been dismissed from the Civil Service within the last 12 months, your application could be removed at the pre-employment checking stage.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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)
* 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
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code 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 .
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.
Diversity and Inclusion
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 Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans 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 : Cennydd Powell
* Email :
Recruitment team
* Email :
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email:
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here