Details
Reference number
428288
Salary
£69,501 - £76,709
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
Job grade
Grade 6
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
DVLA - Human Resources and Estates Directorate
Type of role
Governance
Senior leadership
Strategy
Working pattern
Flexible working, Full-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 strong communication and influencing skills?
Can you thrive in a fast-paced environment, managing priorities with strategic focus?
Are you able to build effective relationships and make timely decisions under pressure?
If so, we would love to hear from you
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) plays a vital role in keeping Britain's roads safe and efficient. We are responsible for the registration and licensing of drivers in Great Britain and vehicles across the UK, as well as the collection and enforcement of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). Our work ensures that only qualified drivers and correctly taxed vehicles are on the road.
At DVLA, we are committed to delivering services that are simple, secure, and efficient making a difference to millions of people every day.
Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:
* 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), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King's birthday
* Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
Read more in the Benefits section below
Find out more about what it's like working at DVLA.
Job description
We are looking for a highly motivated and resilient individual to join the DVLA as Head of Chief Executive Office – a key and visible leadership role at the heart of the agency. As a trusted advisor to the Chief Executive, Chair, and Executive Team, you will support the effective running and good governance of the organisation. You will lead the CEO Office, ensuring that strategic priorities are coordinated and delivered, executive governance is robust, and high-quality decision-making is consistently supported.
This is a fast-paced and stretching role, offering a rare opportunity to gain insight into how a major government agency operates at the most senior levels. You will oversee DVLA's corporate-level governance boards and decision-making forums, manage the relationship between the CEO and Department for Transport ministerial offices and officials, and provide strong line management to the Corporate Secretary.
The role requires someone who can operate confidently at both strategic and operational levels, with excellent stakeholder management skills and the ability to influence and challenge effectively.
It offers broad exposure across the agency and the chance to contribute to major plans that shape DVLA's future direction. This is a challenging yet rewarding opportunity to make a significant impact in a high-profile position at the centre of the organisation.
Your responsibilities will include, but aren't limited to:
* Acting as a trusted advisor to the CEO, shaping priorities, agendas, and communications across the executive team. Overseeing the activities across the senior team ensuring that actions are joined up and complementary.
* Managing executive governance frameworks, ensuring board and senior leadership meetings are effective, well-informed, and action-oriented. Leading cross-functional coordination of high-impact strategic programmes to elevate performance across the organisation.
* Supporting the CEO in building a strong executive and senior leadership team. Promoting effective working between executives and non-executives supporting the development of a high performing board team.
* Establishing and developing effective cross Government stakeholder relationships to drive collaboration on cross cutting projects, ensuring DVLA strategic priorities are taken into consideration and achieve shared goals.
* Overseeing the development of high-quality briefings, communications, and reports for CEO and key stakeholders. Coordinating the delivery of corporate strategies and business plans.
Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills they need. We aim to empower line managers to create teams where people can flourish and deliver excellent outcomes for the public.
For further information on the role, please read the role profile: the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert details exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.
Person specification
The successful candidate will have excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence and engage effectively at all levels. You will confidently represent DVLA at a senior level, building strong partnerships within the organisation and across government, demonstrating effective networking and negotiation skills.
Strong organisational skills and the ability to identify key strategic issues while driving multiple objectives are essential. You will be able to break down complex information clearly to support timely decision-making and make sound judgements when faced with ambiguity.
A strategic mindset is key, enabling you to coordinate activities across the organisation and maintain focus on the bigger picture. You will thrive under pressure, showing resilience and flexibility, while maintaining the highest confidentiality standards and demonstrating enthusiasm for learning and development.
Additional information
Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements
Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.
This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.
The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location/visiting stakeholders. Your designated workplace will be your contractual place of work. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.
Occasional travel to other offices will be required, which may involve overnight stays.
If you have a question about hybrid working, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).
Visa Sponsorship
Please note that we do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker Licence sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. Candidates must ensure they have the appropriate rights to work in the UK before application.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Leadership
* Seeing the Big Picture
* Working Together
* Communicating and Influencing
* Making Effective Decisions
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £69,501, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency contributes £20,134 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, Strengths and Experience.
How to apply:
Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's skills, and potential fit within our organisation.
The selection process for this role will be:
Stage 1: Sift of CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form
Stage 2: Assessment – Staff engagement exercise, presentation and interview. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Stage 1: Sift
At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:
* Experience – you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (1250-word count). Please provide evidence of your Experience of the following:
* Proven ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
* Strong communication and influencing skills, with confidence to challenge constructively and persuade others to achieve desired outcomes.
* Excellent organisational skills, managing conflicting priorities and meeting tight deadlines.
* Ability to connect activities and maintain focus on the bigger strategic picture.
* Ability to make timely, informed decisions using sound judgement, even in complex situations.
The sift will take place from Wednesday 8th October 2025.
Stage 2: Interview
At assessment stage, you will be invited to take part in a staff engagement exercise. The assessment will take place online via Microsoft Teams.
The assessment stage will take place from Wednesday 22nd October 2025.
Guidance will be provided if you are invited to the assessment. The staff engagement exercise will not result in a pass or fail decision.
At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:
* Behaviours – Leadership, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together, Communicating and Influencing, Making Effective Decisions
* Strengths
You will also be required to create and deliver a presentation to assess the Behaviour Communicating and Influencing and Working Together. Guidance will be provided if you are invited to interview.
The interviews will take place week commencing Monday 3rd November 2025.
This interview will be conducted in person at our Swansea office. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.
You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site.
Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change.
Further information on the selection process
We will also hold a 6-month reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for. You can read more about our reserve lists here.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
AI Tools and Platforms
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.
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.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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 .
See our vetting charter .
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 : Tim Moss
* 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