Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Group Employer Lead
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Job Summary
We are seeking outstanding Group Employer Leads to join the DWP - Jobs and Careers Service (JCS) Scotland and Northern England Leadership Teams.
This is a unique opportunity to influence and lead strategic employer engagement across Scotland and Northern England, building and maintaining strong partnerships with key national and regional employers.
The postholder will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering employer-led solutions that support DWP priorities, improve employment outcomes, and ensure our services respond effectively to current and future labour market needs.
As a senior leader, you will work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, providing strategic direction, driving innovation, and influencing decision-making at all levels. Operating within a complex environment, you will be committed to continuous improvement, delivering high-quality outcomes for employers, customers, and communities.
This is a challenging and rewarding opportunity for a dynamic leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is committed to delivering outstanding outcomes through collaboration, influence, and strategic thinking.
Applicants should only apply for roles where they can reasonably undertake frequent travel throughout Scotland or Northern England. The successful candidate may be based at any suitable site within the area. Please see the attached list of Districts and Sites.
Please note, these vacancies are not currently eligible for new applications for Visa Sponsorship on the Skilled Worker route, for any candidates who do not currently have permission to be in the UK as a Skilled Worker where they were sponsored before 4 April 2024, even if relying on tradeable points (including the new entrant tradeable points option) as they are not included in the published Immigration Salary List.
This information is offered as guidance only, and we recommend that applicants seek specialist advice on their eligibility for Visa Sponsorship (if applicable) when considering whether to apply for any role.
Job Description
The Group Employer Lead is responsible for leading strategic employer engagement activity across a large geographical area, developing partnerships that create employment, skills, and progression opportunities for customers. The role works closely with employers, business representative organisations, training providers, and public sector partners to understand workforce needs and develop innovative employment solutions that support economic growth and social mobility.
The postholder will develop and deliver employer engagement strategies, influence senior stakeholders, and identify opportunities to increase recruitment, skills development, and career progression pathways across key sectors. Working as part of a senior leadership team, they will drive continuous improvement, share best practice, and ensure employer activity delivers measurable outcomes for both employers and customers.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and maintain strategic relationships with large employers and industry partners across the region, identifying opportunities to support workforce growth and recruitment needs.
- Design and implement employer engagement strategies that increase access to employment, skills development, and career progression opportunities.
- Build effective partnerships with employer representative organisations, business networks, and industry bodies, such as Chambers of Commerce and sector groups.
- Lead large-scale employer engagement campaigns and initiatives to increase recruitment outcomes and support organisational priorities.
- Work collaboratively with employers to create tailored pathways into employment and sustainable career progression opportunities.
- Champion inclusive recruitment practices and support initiatives that improve opportunities for under-represented groups, including disabled people and those facing barriers to employment.
- Analyse labour market trends and employer demand to identify growth opportunities and inform strategic planning.
- Drive innovation and continuous improvement, promoting effective approaches and sharing best practice across teams and partner organisations.
- Collaborate with senior internal and external stakeholders to deliver joined-up solutions that meet employer and customer needs.
- Provide leadership, influence, and strategic direction across a complex stakeholder landscape, ensuring activity is aligned to organisational objectives.
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Person Specification
Key Criteria:
- Demonstrable ability to develop and communicate a clear, evidence-based strategic vision that delivers measurable outcomes. You can inspire and influence others to achieve shared objectives, drive innovation, and improve performance across a large and complex area of responsibility.
- Proven track record of building, developing, and sustaining effective relationships with senior stakeholders across multiple organisations and sectors. You can work collaboratively, influence at all levels, and bring partners together to achieve common goals and deliver outcomes at scale.
- Strong understanding of labour market trends, workforce challenges, and employer needs. You can use data, insight, and market intelligence to shape strategies, identify opportunities, and align activity to organisational priorities and economic needs.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex or sensitive information clearly and persuasively to a wide range of audiences. You can adapt your style to suit different stakeholders, build confidence in your proposals, and secure commitment to change.
- Experience of leading programmes, projects, or strategic initiatives that have delivered tangible business outcomes. You can manage competing priorities, make sound decisions in a complex environment, and drive continuous improvement through effective leadership.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing
Salary and Benefits
Alongside your salary of £57,946, Department for Work and Pensions contributes £16,786 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).
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.
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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.
Stage 1 – Application
Initially, you will be asked if you have the right to work in the UK and meet Civil Service nationality requirements and your personal details. (If you are successful after interview, you will be asked to provide documentation to prove this. This will include proof of ID, including photo ID or equivalent biometric passport/share code, and proof of address).
For more information on job nationality requirements and the right to work in the UK, see the Civil Service Nationality rules Civil Service recruitment: nationality rules - GOV.UK and the UK Visas and Immigration rules UK Visas and Immigration - GOV.UK.
Stage 2 - A name blind CV
We will ask you to provide your CV in an anonymised format. This will remove information that could identify you, such as your name, age, or gender. The CV is an online tool accessed through the Civil Service Jobs site and there is no requirement to upload your personal CV.
Our CV element is short, and allows an initial check of eligibility, so please put the main content of your evidence and skills in your Personal Statement. Your CV allows you to summarise your education, work history, skills, and experience which relate to the job you are applying for. Your CV will not be assessed.
Stage 3 - Personal Statement
The written sift will be conducted using evidence from your Personal Statement and will be assessed against the Key Criteria above.
Please complete up to 1250 words providing examples of how things you have done in the past and your skills and experience help you demonstrate the Key Criteria requirements.
The layout is entirely your preference; you may choose narrative, bullets, etc. You may choose to address each criteria separately, however, one narrative example may cover and evidence several Key Criteria. You do not have to explain the full process, just what you have done and the skills and experience you have used. Share with us what makes you suited to this role and why. What you can do, the skills you have that are transferable, and the life experience or passion you have that are linked to this role.
We recognise that AI may be helpful when applying for this role, but it is important to use it in the right way. Read our DWP AI Candidate Guide on how to make the best use of GenAI while ensuring your application remains authentic and effective.
Stage 4 - Assessment Centre
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an assessment centre. This will be a face-to-face session in Newcastle, with sessions expected to begin at the earliest during the week commencing 9 November 2026.
More information regarding the assessment centre will be issued to those candidates who are invited to attend.
Behaviours To Be Assessed Are:
- Leadership
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing
The
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