We are hiring across several key areas: Planning and Performance Leaders Lead geographically dispersed teams to plan and forecast internal learning needs. Manage budgets, monitor risk and expenditure, and evaluate impact. Oversee performance and reporting teams, supporting recruitment, finance, and strategic planning. Senior Learning Product Leaders Oversee the creation of high-quality learning materials for DWP Service Delivery and beyond. Ensure products meet transformation goals and comply with governance standards. Engage with internal and external stakeholders to shape learning solutions. Senior Learning Delivery Leaders Lead teams of Learning Delivery Leaders and Officers across the UK. Foster a culture of continuous learning and ensure local stakeholder needs are reflected in delivery. Portfolio Senior Leaders (Portfolio 1 & 2) Lead strategic, cross-cutting learning initiatives including Mental Health and Vulnerable Customer learning. Manage commissions, evaluate learning outcomes, and coordinate wider departmental change activity. Support the design and delivery of learning for content creators and Technical Design colleagues. Key responsibilities - relevant to all roles: Proven leadership of high-performing, geographically dispersed teams, particularly through periods of change, innovation, and transformation. Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to adapt communication styles to suit diverse audiences and contexts. Experience in strategic planning and budget management, ensuring alignment of resources and performance with organisational priorities and financial allocations. Ability to interpret and use data effectively to inform decision-making, evaluate impact, and enhance learning and development strategies. Oversight of learning product design and delivery, ensuring solutions are high-quality, governance-compliant, and meet organisational needs. Line management experience, including mentoring and coaching to support team development and performance. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a proactive, solution-focused approach to challenges and opportunities. Experience in learning and development, capability-building, or professional development, with a clear understanding of how these contribute to organisational success. Experience supporting projects or improvement initiatives, contributing to successful outcomes through collaboration and effective delivery. A commitment to continuous improvement, with a track record of developing processes, tools, or resources that support colleagues and enhance service delivery. Person specification Essential criteria: Experience leading the design and delivery of a learning initiative for your team or organisation, using leadership strategies to ensure engagement and impact, and evaluating its effectiveness. (Lead Criteria) Communicate effectively and have experience presenting and reporting complex data to senior stakeholders in a clear, concise manner while maintaining strong and influential relationships to deliver shared objectives and outcomes. Ability to build trust-based relationships with a wide range of demanding and diverse senior stakeholders. Adapt communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to suit different audiences and contexts. Has the ability to provide evidence-based information to draw out key messages and themes at a macro level, enabling Senior Leader decision making aligned to strategic priorities. Proficient in Microsoft tools, Power BI, and AI for learning. Skilled in using data to guide decisions, measure impact, and improve learning strategies. Experienced in designing and delivering learning solutions, ensuring quality and governance across large organisations. Proactive in streamlining processes while safeguarding data integrity. Leads team priorities with a strong focus on maintaining and enhancing departmental reputation. You must have achieved CIPD Associate membership or be willing to work towards this upon commencement of your role. Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Seeing the Big Picture Leadership Delivering at Pace Working Together Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: Leadership Benefits Alongside your salary of 44,447, Department for Work and Pensions contributes 12,876 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. 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 (prorata 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 years 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 Womens Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more. Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills. Online Test After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Judgement Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application. Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 11/11/2025. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website. Should you require further information on this particular online test, please visit: Preparing for the Civil Service Judgement Test. Our online test supplier will be performing scheduled maintenance between 4:00pm and 7:00pm on 1st November 2025. There will be up to 1 hour during this time where candidates will not be able to access tests. All online tests will be affected. Impact for candidates Candidates who are taking a test when the downtime starts will have their test paused. They will be able to pick up where they left off after the downtime. They can do this by accessing the test again from their application centre. Candidates will not be able to launch new tests during the downtime. Candidates reporting issues should be advised to return to take the test after 7:00pm on 1st November 2025. Candidates who pass the online test will need to complete the online application process outlined below: A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. The CV is an on-line tool accessed through the Civil Service Jobsite and there is no requirement to upload your personal CV. Our CV element is short and allows an initial check of eligibility but is not scored so please put the main content of your evidence and skills in your Personal Statement. A 250 word Technical Statement to demonstrate your technical ability in Leadership, which will assess the following criteria: " Experience leading the design and delivery of a learning initiative for your team or organisation, using leadership strategies to ensure engagement and impact, and evaluating its effectiveness ." If we receive a large number of applications, we will conduct an initial sift on the 250 word Technical statement. If you pass this initial sift, you may be progressed to a full sift or directly to interview. Lastly, a personal statement (maximum 750 words), explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities, and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role against the remaining essential criteria in the person specification. If high application volumes are received, the benchmark for candidates to proceed to the next stage may be raised. In line with our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS), we aim to advance all candidates applying under the DCS who meet the minimum standard. However, we may only progress those candidates who best meet the required standards. 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. Interview Candidates who pass sift will be invited to attend an interview lasting up to 45 minutes. This will take place via MS Teams. The interview panel will be a minimum of two people and will assess Behaviours and Strengths. The interview aims to be more of a conversation exploring the candidates capability for the role. During the first 5 minutes of your interview, you will be asked to deliver a visual presentation. Further information about the presentation element will be shared with shortlisted candidates 7 days prior to interview. Location Preferences You will be asked for your preferences for up to 3 locations, these will tell us where you would prefer to work if you are successful. Please do not select a location unless you are prepared to accept a role in that location. Please note that for candidates requesting to work in Newcastle, this role will be based at Benton Park View from September 2025, and then at 1 Pilgrim Place in Newcastle city centre by the end of 2027. Please note that the London preference does not relate to Caxton House. If you do select "London" as a preference, you will be considered for Acton Jobcentre on Armstrong Road ONLY. Important Information - Visa Sponsorship For these vacancies, we strongly recommend that applicants consult with an immigration specialist or qualified advisor to assess their eligibility for Visa Sponsorship before deciding to apply. Please note that while we consider sponsorship requests in accordance with current DWP guidance and Home Office policy, sponsorship cannot be guaranteed. Further Information At the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce. Find out more about working for DWP on the DWP Careers Hub. Reserve List A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. If you are placed on a reserve list but we cannot immediately offer you a post, please note: If you are later offered the role you applied for, in a location you have expressed a preference for, and you decline the offer or are unable to take up the post within a reasonable timeframe you will be withdrawn from the campaign and removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances (e.g. a contractual Part Time Working Pattern cannot be accommodated in the initial role offered or in cases of serious ill health). If DWP makes an offer of an alternative role or location to that which you originally applied for, and you decline that offer, you will be able to remain on the reserve list. Disability Confident Scheme If high application volumes are received, the benchmark for candidates to proceed to the next stage may be raised. In line with our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS), we aim to advance all candidates applying under the DCS who meet the minimum standard. However, we may only progress those candidates who best meet the required standards. Reasonable Adjustments 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 the Government Recruitment Service via DWPRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk 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 youre 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. Integrity, plagiarism, Civil Service Principles and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) 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. Examples of plagiarism can include: Presenting the work, ideas and experience of others as your own Copying content or answers from an online or published source that is not your own 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. Disclosure and Barring Service and Internal Fraud Database Checks In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service/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 Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk 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 Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk 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 applicants 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 successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check will be carried out. Important New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. 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. If you are a current employee and are successful you must be able to be released from your current post within four weeks. Those on protected TUPE/ COSoP terms and conditions applying on promotion or voluntary permanent level move will adopt DWPs Terms and Conditions and this may have a different impact on pay and allowances. Please review this prior to acceptance of a role. 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. Accepting a post will be taken to mean acceptance of revised terms & conditions. Civil Servants applying on promotion will usually be appointed to the salary minimum or within 10% of existing salary. 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. Determine your eligibility at the Childcare Choices Website. Feedback 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) (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 the Civil 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 : CLT RECRUITMENT TEAM Email : CLT.SEORECRUITMENT@DWP.GOV.UK Recruitment team Email : dwprecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk Further information Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commissions Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DWP by email: HR.BUSINESSASSURANCE@DWP.GOV.UK. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. Click here to visit the Civil Service Commission. Attachments Candidate Pack 433304 Learning Design and Delivery Leaders Opens in new window (pdf, 480kB) Welsh Candidate Pack 433304 Learning Design and Delivery Leaders Welsh Opens in new window (pdf, 562kB) DWP Terms and Conditions January 2024 Opens in new window (docx, 17kB) Success-Profiles-Candidate-Overview-Accessble-Version Opens in new window (docx, 67kB)