UK Ministry of Defence
DBS Strategy and Corporate Plans
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Tomlinson House, Norcross, Blackpool, Lancashire, Abbey Wood North, Stoke Gifford, Bristol, South West,
Job Summary
Are you a dedicated person who is passionate about making a difference?
Would you like to work for the Ministry of Defence?
Defence Business Services (DBS) is one of the largest shared service organisations in Europe that provides a wide range of corporate services, to over 1.2 million end users, including serving and past military and families, as well as MoD civil servants and industry. DBS delivers large scale administration and smaller specialist services to enable the wider MOD to focus on its core aims, maintaining the UK’s Defence and Security. Services include Human Resources, Pay, Veterans, Finance and Procurement.
Our Vision - To support UK defence customers with outstanding service every time. Our Mission - Together we will proudly support Defence, continuously improving and delivering flexible, timely, sustainable and value for money services that underpin the whole force and enhance operational capability.
DBS is committed to creating a great place to work for all our colleagues. We are building an inclusive culture and respectful environment that reflects the diversity of the society.
We want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us through opportunities to develop your skills and experience. We also offer a range of flexible working patterns and support to make a fulfilling career accessible to you and offer a Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%. Where your role permits, we support a blended working approach alternatively known as hybrid working.
Come and join the DBS community today!
DBS is part of The National Armaments Directorate (NAD) Group which is at the heart of delivering and sustaining the UK’s defence capability. Bringing together organisations responsible for developing, procuring, supporting and modernising Defence equipment, infrastructure and services, the Directorate works closely with industry, international partners and academia to ensure the Armed Forces have the capabilities they need to deter threats, protect the nation and succeed on operations. NAD drives innovation, operational readiness and value for money while supporting economic growth and strengthening the UK’s defence industrial base.
DBS has recently undertaken a review of its operational locations in the North West, and have consolidated all activities in Norcross, Blackpool. A further move, to the new Government Hub at Talbot Gateway in Blackpool, is scheduled to take place in 2027.
Job Description
This is a great opportunity to work at the strategic heart of Defence Business Services at a time of significant and exciting transformation in Defence Shared Services under the Corporate Services Modernisation (CSM) agenda. Working with senior leaders in the organisation, this is a business plans, strategy and corporate role which straddles both the Operational Delivery Profession as well as the Policy Profession. It is instrumental in setting the overall goals for the business and developing and monitoring the Annual Delivery Plan to achieve them.
Responsibilities: strategic management and planning
- Undertake the development of the five-year Corporate Plan and corporate Annual Delivery Plan, helping to shape the DBS vision and direction.
- Undertake research and data analysis to inform the development of well-informed strategic planning, business decisions, and major projects and pillar delivery plans.
- Provide support and insight into significant organisational changes.
- Liaise with DBS representatives to set smart targets which deliver the DBS vision, and to monitor and track performance of the annual Delivery Plan.
- Assess the DBS strategic performance. Produce the quarterly report to the DBS Executive Committee informing them of actual versus planned outcomes, risks to delivery and agreed mitigations, and recommending actions required to address any missed targets.
- Lead communication of progress for stakeholders, customers and staff.
- Lead annual lessons learnt review, develop action plan and assist with the continuous improvement of strategic management and the strategic planning process in accordance with best practice.
- Support the development and implementation of the Shared Services Operating Model (SSOM) for the future Defence shared service centre and ensure alignment with DBS’ vision and alignment with the Shared Services Operating Model.
- Work closely with DBS colleagues and other stakeholders to ensure that documents are based on robust, clear evidence, analysis and data.
- Support the planning for strategic planning events.
- Maintain own continuous professional development.
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You will support the Deputy and Assistant Heads with influencing, developing, documenting, and overseeing the implementation of the strategic planning process and assessing and reporting performance made in the realisation of the DBS vision and transformation. The role will also help to deliver Corporate Services Modernisation (CSM) for Defence. You will have line management responsibility for 1 x HEO.
These responsibilities may change as the programme of work progresses.
The Role Also Satisfies The Following Operational Delivery Criteria:
- Supporting business or directorate strategy development.
- Coordinating annual business planning cycles.
- Tracking delivery against strategic priorities.
- Performance reporting and KPI management.
- Risk and dependency management.
- Supporting governance boards and decision-making forums.
- Producing delivery plans, implementation plans and road maps.
Person specification
The Ideal Candidate Will:
- Be results focused, with the ability to take personal initiative, as well as continuous improvement of processes/products
- Have strong analytical skills and an aptitude for problem solving, with the ability to analyse and evaluate data accurately and to relate to the ‘big picture’
- Have excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively communicate and influence across all grades, but particularly confident when dealing with senior stakeholders at 1*
- Have strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to develop and promote good working relationships with a wide range of staff at all levels
- Have strong attention to detail, as well as strong written communication and presentation skills
- Be comfortable working at pace during peaks periods and managing through ambiguity and change
- Have proven line management experience
Desirable Criteria:
- Interest in corporate affairs and deepening knowledge and experience in a shared services organisation
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £46,040, Ministry of Defence contributes £13,337 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
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Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.
Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.
Any move to MOD 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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.
MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
Artificial intelligence
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 (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Please ensure that at the application and interview stages of the campaign you review the Success Profiles Framework to assist you in the demonstration of your skills and experience.
Your suitability for the role will be assessed using the Success Profile elements that have been chosen for this campaign. Each element will be scored accordingly, and the successful candidate will be appointed on merit.
Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.
Personal Statement:
Candidates will be required to provide a statement of suitability (1000 Word Max).
At sift, candidates will be assessed against their CV and Statement of suitability and the following
- Seeing the big picture
- Making effective decisions
- Communicating and influencing
At Interview, Candidates Will Be Assessed Against The Following:
- Seeing the big picture
- Making effective decisions
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