Length of employment:
Job Summary:
From the design and development of policies to the delivery of services supporting work, welfare, pensions and child maintenance, DWP is the Government's largest department.
People are at the very heart of what we do. We ensure disabled people can live more independent lives; help tackle poverty and homelessness; provide a financial foundation for a secure old age; and support families ensuring children can fulfil their potential.
DWP has the largest commercial estate in government and our team is committed to being smaller, greener and better - helping people to work, grow and thrive. Our estate provides accommodation for colleagues who support millions of daily customer interactions in Jobcentres and Health Assessment centres, back of house offices delivering frontline services and hub sites housing expert functions such as Policy, Finance, Digital and HR.
The DWP Estates function ensures the smooth and efficient operation of this network on a day-to-day basis. We manage a private sector supply chain that delivers essential services such as security guarding, maintenance, property and leasehold, construction, cleaning and facilities management. Many of these services are business critical and we cannot safely open our offices without them.
Our ambitions are to:
* Transition to a smaller, more affordable, and adaptable estate
* Invest in improving DWP's buildings and infrastructure, conducted mainly through an extensive programme of planned replacement works
* Meet our agreed Government Greening Commitments - creating a culture where sustainability is embedded
* Expertly deliver cost effective services
* Create a professional working culture that is best in class across the Government Property world
There is no better time to join us as we transform our estate and make our buildings fit for the future.
Reporting to Service Delivery Change Manager, this operational change role will be responsible for providing delivery support in implementation of operational changes to services on a National or local basis across the national portfolio.
DWP Estates has delivered significant level of operational changes in the recent years, with the annual operational change budget reaching £10m on an annual basis, examples including the removal of catering refurbishments, COVID screen & signage removal, fascia signage refresh, and various sustainability projects. This role will be instrumental in successful roll out of key operational changes across Estates, working closely with stakeholders across Estates and maintain service continuity.
Job Description:
Government Property Profession Career Framework (Link)
This role sits within the following:
* Job Family - Workplace & FM
* Core Role - Workplace Management
* Level - Practitioner
Key accountabilities
* Support development and implementation of operational change initiatives (e.g. opening time changes, catering programmes, signage programmes and sustainability programmes). Work closely with the DWP Estates Regional and Corporate Field Team to understand business requirements and regional priorities and have full understanding of Estates Strategic plan to provide valuable input into identification, prioritisation, coordination and delivery of operational change initiatives.
* Play local level interface role for the Service Delivery Change Team for the DWP Estates Regional and Corporate Field Team. Capture and address any risks and issues related to operational change initiatives, effectively applying risk management method to mitigate these risks. Escalate thematic risks to the Service Delivery Change Team to ensure they can be managed at national level.
* Works closely with DWP Estates Regional and Corporate Field Team and other DWP stakeholders, supply chain and Customers to ensure they have full understanding of inflight and upcoming operational change initiatives. Support development and implementation of communication related to operational change initiatives.
* Manage the delivery of operational change initiatives, delivering in a practical, expedient manner and ensure they are successfully completed and handed over as BAU activities.
* Support Service Delivery team's senior stakeholder engagement across DWP Estates (including DWP Director Generals) and the Customer to ensure full oversight of any potential operational change initiatives (temporary or permanent) through development of key project status report and communication materials. Ensure operational change objectives are established and achieved in line with broader business requirements.
* Support the development of broad strategic context for Estates portfolio, defining strategy for implementation to suit regional or local requirements ensuring it meets the portfolio needs.
* Maintain a good understanding of compliance with legal, statutory, regulatory and security requirements, to ensure all operational initiatives are delivered against compliance requirements.
* Provide support in delivery of impact assessments on the business (e.g. service continuity, financial, etc.), working closely with broader DWP Estates (e.g. Field Team, Strategy & Portfolio Planning team, Policy & Compliance, etc.) and develop clear communication on the impact to the wider business.
* Provide support in management of budgets related to operational change initiatives. Provide commercial assurance, keeping team informed of any potential challenge / approval required relating to operational change spend as required.
* Deliver measures to achieve cost effective improvements in operations, increase customer satisfaction, and ensure compliance with policies and regulations.
* Promote best practice and adopt a continual improvement approach to how Estates delivers a quality operational Estates services, focusing on commercial outcomes and a positive customer service by understanding the complexity and diversity of customer needs and expectations.
* Provide support for management of communications within DWP Estates stakeholders for site specific or national operational changes, ensuring all relevant information is disseminated, clearly articulating the impact on the business, Customer and the Supply Chain.
* Develop key progress report / governance documents and participate in on-site operational change program governance meetings, involving input from relevant DWP stakeholders and the Supply Chain.
* Undertake regular review of Management Information and Reporting to track progress against required outcomes. Including lessons learnt exercise to identify areas of improvement for future operational change programmes of similar scale, nature.
* Encourage an inclusive working environment across the team, manage and develop key internal and external stakeholder relationships, and the Estates and supplier partner network, where all opinions and challenges are taken into account.
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.
Location
Applicants should apply for suitable posts where they can travel to and from their home office location daily within a reasonable time.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. Relocation costs will not be reimbursed.
Hybrid Working
This job role is 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. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.
Successful candidates will be posted in merit order based on your location preferences and the geographical requirements of the business.
Essential Skills, Knowledge & Experience
* Experienced in delivering change management projects in a Property, Facilities Management or similar complex function within a large, matrix organisation..
* Experienced in delivering stakeholder management in a complex environment, that extend across both supplier and customer organisations and across government departments.
* Experience in management of key suppliers, able to support negotiations, escalation of issues, and engagement in key decision making that has strategic consequences.
* Strong written communications, verbal communications and interpersonal skills, with capability to undertake analysis of data to report on progress and inform decision making.
* Guide key stakeholders towards solutions the team recommend, give a balance of optimal commercial performance whilst delivering on business strategy.
* Commercial experience gained within a Property, Facilities Management or similar complex function, including budget management skills, monitoring budget lines to ensure value for money.
* Experience of Project Management - excellent organisational skills supported by robust planning and prioritisation.
* Experience of working with geographically diverse teams, collaborating and encouraging continual improvement.
Desirable
* Willingness to understand and comply with Real Estate and related Statutory, Regulatory and Professional requirements.
Qualifications/professional memberships
Desirable
* Working towards CIPS (Level 3) or MCIPS
* Working towards IWFM (Level 3) or higher, with a preference of already held
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT
As part of the application process you will be asked to provide a Personal Statement of no more than 1000 words against the essential criteria as outlined above. You will also be asked to provide a short CV.
Your CV should be fairly short and just evidence very brief details of your work history and Qualifications. (It will not be scored)
Please do not submit a speculative application where you do not meet at least 50% of the essential criteria as these applications will be unsuccessful. Do not include Behaviour examples within your application as these will not be assessed in the sift and will only be used at interview stage.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
There will be an initial sift of applications based on the Personal Statement only, so please ensure you evidence how you meet the Essential Skills, Knowledge & Experience requirement contained in the vacancy in this section. This will form a short list for interview.
STAGE 2 - INTERVIEW
All candidates who are successful at the sift stage will undertake a single virtual video interview.
The interview will follow a blended approach which will help us assess candidates Behaviours and Strengths.
Currently the sift is scheduled to take place w/c 16th June 2025and interview dates w/c 30th June 2025. Interviews are scheduled to take place virtually and dates are subject to change.
Further Information
Find out more about Working for DWP
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
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; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website .
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service or Disclosure Scotland 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 stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email
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.
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.
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. 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.
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. Applications will be screened and if evidence of plagiarism or copying examples/answers from other sources is found, your application will be withdrawn. Internal DWP candidates may also face disciplinary action.
The evidence you provide must relate to your own experiences. If evidence of plagiarism, or sharing of questions, information or answers throughout any part of the selection process is found, your application will be withdrawn. Examples of plagiarism can include:
• Presenting the work, ideas and experience of others as your own
• Copying content from an online/published source
• Using forms of Artificial Intelligence to produce application content which you present as your own.
Reasonable Adjustment
At DWP we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.
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 Government Recruitment Service via 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.