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.
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
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.
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.
Selection Process Details
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This vacancy is using Success Profiles, 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.
Stage 2 - A name blind CV
We will ask you to provide your CV in an anonymised format.
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.
Stage 4 - Assessment Centre
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an assessment centre.
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.
- A reserve list may be held for a period of 3 months from which further appointments can be made.
- 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.
- We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health.
- If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should contact the Government Recruitment Service as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
- Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.
- People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Contact Point for Applicants
Job Contact:
Recruitment team:
Further information:
- Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s 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
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