The ONS operates a flexible hybrid working model across the UK, with colleagues linked to one of our contractual locations working between office and remote throughout the week. The locations for this role are Newport and Titchfield (Fareham).
All colleagues are required to work from their contractually allocated site for at least 40% of their working time. Frequent travel to the Titchfield office will be required as part of this role (if not already contracted there).
The induction process for the role will be conducted in person.
Job Summary
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the UK's largest producer of official statistics and home to over 5,000 colleagues. We create the data that drives decisions, from measuring economic growth and tracking population changes to informing policy on everything from housing to healthcare. Our statistics don't just sit in reports; they directly influence how billions of pounds are allocated, how services are planned, and how communities are supported across the country.
Are you ready to be part of something that shapes the future of our nation? Do you thrive on variety, enjoy working with lots of teams, and want to make a real difference? If so, this could be the opportunity you've been looking for.
Census 2031 represents our most ambitious data collection project yet – a once-in-a-decade opportunity to capture a complete picture of everyone living in England and Wales. Building on the digital success of 2021, we're pioneering new ways to reach every household and community, ensuring no one is left uncounted. This vital work will provide the foundation for policy decisions, resource allocation, and community planning for the next decade.
Your work will support delivery of this transformational project that will shape how we understand and support our nation's future. You'll be part of a team that ensures everyone is counted—and every voice is heard. We're building a culture that values collaboration, fresh thinking, and respect for diverse expertise. Whether you're a seasoned professional or bringing new perspectives, you'll be part of a team that welcomes bold ideas, works transparently, and thrives on solving complex challenges together.
As a senior leader within the Census 2031 programme, you will have the opportunity to drive strategic change at the highest level of government, leading one of the nation's most critical data collection operations. This is a rare chance to shape public policy infrastructure that will influence decision-making across every level of government for the next decade.
Job Description
This role is accountable for the successful delivery of all 2031 Census Collection services as part of the 'whole system'. The responsibilities span three core areas: the design, build, and test of the operation; the performance of the supply chain; and the live running of the service.
You will lead their teams to build the end-to-end operational capability, ensuring that people, processes, and technology work together coherently and cost-effectively. They will work closely with the service design, testing, and integration teams within the Design, Test, and Integration division, as well as the Statistical Design team, to ensure coherence with the whole system designs.
Additionally, the role involves assuring the operational readiness of the operations design, overseeing the transition into live service, and working closely with statistical and technical leads to ensure the solution meets all requirements. A strong working relationship with the devolved nations will also be essential.
This role is pivotal in supporting the management of the performance of the supply chain, working closely with commercial teams throughout the commercial life cycle and the live delivery of the collection phases. This includes managing the full life cycle of the supply chain, ensuring contractual obligations are met, and leading all operational teams during live service.
*Key Responsibilities*
End to end Operational Design and Readiness
* Oversee the operational design life cycle, from conceptualisation to live service transition.
* Collaborate with devolved administrations to ensure interoperability and coherence across the UK Census platform.
* Assure operational readiness through rigorous testing, stakeholder engagement, and alignment with statistical and technical requirements.
Supply Chain and Commercial Oversight
* Lead delivery teams and commercial partners during live service, ensuring contractual obligations are met and operational outcomes achieved.
* Maintain budgetary control across a portfolio of multi million pounds in commercial contracts.
Working as a cohesive Leadership team
* Work cohesively across the programme and ONS to deliver a whole system design, ensuring all individual parts of the 'system' work together holistically.
* Foster open and honest conversations, addressing and solving problems at pace.
Further information on the role can be found in the attached candidate pack.
This role is accountable for the successful delivery of all 2031 Census Collection services as part of the 'whole system'. The responsibilities span three core areas: the design, build, and test of the operation; the performance of the supply chain; and the live running of the service.
You will lead their teams to build the end-to-end operational capability, ensuring that people, processes, and technology work together coherently and cost-effectively. They will work closely with the service design, testing, and integration teams within the Design, Test, and Integration division, as well as the Statistical Design team, to ensure coherence with the whole system designs.
Additionally, the role involves assuring the operational readiness of the operations design, overseeing the transition into live service, and working closely with statistical and technical leads to ensure the solution meets all requirements. A strong working relationship with the devolved nations will also be essential.
This role is pivotal in supporting the management of the performance of the supply chain, working closely with commercial teams throughout the commercial life cycle and the live delivery of the collection phases. This includes managing the full life cycle of the supply chain, ensuring contractual obligations are met, and leading all operational teams during live service.
*Key Responsibilities*
End to end Operational Design and Readiness
* Oversee the operational design life cycle, from conceptualisation to live service transition.
* Collaborate with devolved administrations to ensure interoperability and coherence across the UK Census platform.
* Assure operational readiness through rigorous testing, stakeholder engagement, and alignment with statistical and technical requirements.
Supply Chain and Commercial Oversight
* Lead delivery teams and commercial partners during live service, ensuring contractual obligations are met and operational outcomes achieved.
* Maintain budgetary control across a portfolio of multi million pounds in commercial contracts.
Working as a cohesive Leadership team
* Work cohesively across the programme and ONS to deliver a whole system design, ensuring all individual parts of the 'system' work together holistically.
* Foster open and honest conversations, addressing and solving problems at pace.
Further information on the role can be found in the attached candidate pack.
Person specification
*Essential Criteria*
* Proven experience delivering a large-scale operation from design and build through to operate and run.
* Skilled in setting strategic direction, aligning cross-functional teams, and managing inter dependencies across services and devolved administrations.
* Strong commercial acumen, including contract negotiation, supplier performance management, and life cycle oversight of outsourced services.
* Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
* Proven ability to think and operate strategically, making quick decisions in high-pressure environments.
* Extensive leadership experience and the ability to build high performing teams.
Desirable Criteria
* Experience in public sector transformation or Census-related programmes.
* Familiarity with service design and transition principles.
Alongside your salary of £81,000, Office for National Statistics 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.
The Office for National Statistics is part of the Civil Service, and as such we share a number of key benefits with other departments, whilst also having our own unique offerings to support our valued colleagues across the organisation.
Whether you are hearing about us for the first time or already know a bit about our organisation, we hope that our careers site will give you a great insight into the benefits and facilities available to our colleagues, and our fantastic working culture.
Inclusion & Accessibility
At ONS we are always looking to attract the very best people from the widest possible talent pool, and we are proud to be an inclusive, equal opportunities employer. As a Disability Confident Leader we're committed to ensuring that all candidates are treated fairly throughout the recruitment process.
As part of our application process, you will be prompted to provide details of any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process that you need. If you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments before applying, please contact the recruitment team in the first instance.
If you would like an accessible version of any of the attachments or recruitment documents below or linked to in this advert, please contact the recruitment team who will be happy to assist.
ONS are committed to flexible ways of working that support a healthy work-life balance. ONS has already considered how this job could be right sized for applicants working flexibly and we are happy to explore options with you about working part time, in a job share or flexibly, in line with our hybrid working policies.
Selection process details
For ONS the requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for 3 consecutive years immediately prior to applying
and the department will consider eligibility by exception on a case-by-case basis. You will be asked to provide information regarding your UK residency during your application, and failure to provide this will result in your application being rejected.
If you are unsure that you meet the eligibility above, please read the information available on on
this link*
, or contact the recruitment email on the advert before applying to discuss, as failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected and any offer of employment being withdrawn.*
At the point of SC application, you will need to provide or give access to the following evidence:
* Departmental or company records (personnel files, staff reports, sick leave reports and security records)
* UK criminal records covering both spent and unspent criminal records
* Your credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
* Security Services records
Artificial intelligence (AI)
software such as ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot and Gemini are powerful tools that can create and review text in ways that mimic what people can do. These tools can help you enhance your application and prepare for the process, but it is essential you use them appropriately.
They must also not be used to provide misleading or false information at any stage of the application journey.
It is also important to understand that while AI can help you prepare for an interview, you must not use it to produce responses during an interview.
For full guidance in relation to the use of AI through the recruitment process, please click here.
Selection Process
Applications should consist of your
CV
and
Personal Statement
combined as one document and uploaded as a single attachment through Civil Service Jobs.
A
Curriculum Vitae
consisting Of:
* Details of your education and/or professional qualifications.
* Full employment history, giving details (where applicable) of budgets and numbers of people managed, relevant key achievements in recent posts.
* Details of your latest remuneration.
*A Personal Statement,*
which Includes:
* Explanation as to how you meet the essential criteria as detailed in the Person Specification. Your statement should be no longer than 1200 words. We recommend that you give clear examples for each criteria, including your personal contribution and impact and value of your actions.
Applications will be acknowledged shortly after receipt. If you do not receive an acknowledgement within one week of applying for the post, please contact our SCS Recruitment Team at:
Further information on the assessment and interview for this role can be found in the attached
candidate pack
.
Expected Recruitment Timetable
Closing date - 27th October 2025.
Shortlisting meeting - w/c 3rd November 2025.
Employee Engagement Exercise - 10th November 2025.
Interviews - w/c 17th November To be conducted online via Microsoft Teams.
Dates are subject to change.
Informal conversations to discuss suitability with the recruiting manager are welcomed in advance of the application closing date and can be arranged via email.
If you meet the required standard but the recruiting department is unable to offer you the job, you may be given the option of being added to a reserve list. Reserve lists may be shared with other Civil Service departments and professions who are recruiting for similar roles.
Please note that all campaigns may be subject to withdrawal at any stage if the internal resource position changes.
Full terms and conditions are attached at the bottom of this advert.
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.
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.
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.
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 the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
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 : Jason Zawadzki
* 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 If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission