Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Head of Enterprise Performance
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Bristol, London, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, York
Job Summary
You will join the Data and Analysis for Delivery (DA4D) Division in Portfolio Directorate in Defra’s Strategy and Change Director General Group.
DA4D is a team of 20 performance, risk, digital and data professionals. We’re a fun, ambitious and welcoming team working to put quality data, information, advice and support at the heart of how Defra delivers outcomes. We are one of the core strategic teams helping Defra deliver some of government’s most ambitious and exciting work and outcomes: water, food, land and nature are the infrastructure upon which everything else depends and the foundation for our economic way of life and a thriving farming sector, clean water, productive seas and reduced trade barriers with the EU are all contributions to a growing economy. We are also a national security and resilience department leading work on biosecurity, flood resilience, food security, protection from environmental hazards and emergency preparedness which are all central to keeping the people of this country safe.
As Head of Enterprise Performance, you will sit at the heart of Defra's strategic centre, where you will advise and support teams, Directors, Directors General, and the Permanent Secretary on the extent to which Defra is on track to achieve its outcomes. This is a moment of change for Defra: you will be responsible for a step-change in Defra’s ability to know the extent to which we are on track, instrumental in building the performance capabilities Defra needs to do this and to course correct when needed.
Job Description
You will be an experienced analytical leader who is happy engaging with people and teams. You’ll be at home leading ambitious analytical work and know how to lead the change needed in the business. You’ll know how policy delivery works in practice, and with that knowledge and experience, you’ll help policy delivery teams improve how they’re monitoring and using performance data. You will provide great advice and will lead teams and the organisation through acting on that advice, improving outcome delivery as a result.
You Will Do So By:
- Leading efforts to improve the monitoring and measurement of Defra’s outcomes and corporate functions;
- Using data and analysis to identify and take collaborative action to resolve performance issues, and
- Building performance capability across the wider organisation, whilst
- Ensuring high quality published performance contributions to the annual fiscal, accountability and governance cycle
You will shape the performance conversation at the most strategic level and use your analytical expertise to identify and exploit the most appropriate data and information, so that we’re ‘measuring what needs to be delivered’ and delivering it as a result. You will derive performance insight and support enterprise-level performance management from that data and information, and from the relationships that you build and cultivate across outcomes delivery teams.
You will oversee the development and consistency of a performance measurement framework across the department, working to align frameworks and approaches across the wider Defra group where possible and desirable. In doing so you will build communities and capability across teams to embed performance management where it matters. You will collaborate with analytical (and policy?)colleagues embedded in outcome and delivery areas right across the department, working in matrix ways, to support them to identify and improve performance measures.
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To achieve all this, you will empower and motivate a small analytical team while building coalitions and capabilities in the wider business through which you will improve performance measurement at scale.
Does this sound interesting but like you might not be quite right? Please read on and consider applying! We’re looking for applicants from people with diverse experience and perspectives.
Person specification
You will be able to demonstrate the below skills and experience:
- You will have the ability to develop a multidisciplinary analytical team to deliver high-quality analysis at pace, and using the analysis to drive change in an organisation;
- You will influence colleagues at all levels of seniority, identifying capability needs and supporting capability improvement
- You will be an inclusive and collaborative leader. You’ll be able to support and guide your team, looking after their wellbeing and leading them through change
- Deep understanding and a proven track record of using data and analysis in decision-making and using data and analysis to influence senior officials.
- Excellent strategic thinking and data communication skills, including effective presentation of complex, incomplete or ambiguous information for senior audiences
- Experience of automating analysis and/or developing data dashboards, and data visualisation.
Applicants must be either members of the Government analyst professions (Government Economic Service, Government Statistical Service, Government Social Research, Government Operational Research Service) or meet the entry requirements for one of these professions.
If You Are Not Currently a Member Of a Government Analytical Function (for Instance, If You Are Applying As Someone Outside Of The Civil Service), Please Familiarise Yourself With One Or More Of:
- Membership - Government Economic Service - GOV.UK
- Joining the GSS and GSG – Government Analysis Function
- Government Social Research Membership and Eligibility Guidance - GOV.UK
- Government Operational Research Service - Badging Process - GOV.UK
Memberships
This role requires the successful candidate to be a member of one of the following professions:
- Government Economic Service
- Government Statistical Service
- Government Social Research
- Government Operational Research Service
If you are an existing members of one of the listed professions:
- Include details of your profession in your application.
If you are not an existing member of one of these professions:
- Choose a profession and provide details of your qualifications and experience that enable you to meet the eligibility criteria. If you have any questions about this, please contact andrew.cleary@defra.gov.uk
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
- Making Effective Decisions
- Seeing the Big Picture
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
Leadership
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
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- Your technical skills will be assessed at interview via a presentation and an assessment of technical skills related to your profession. Details will be provided to you by the hiring team for your completion and return ahead of your interview.
Salary
Alongside your salary of £67,730, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £19,621 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).
Benefits
- 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%
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, Experience and Technical skills.
After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Numerical 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 24th August 2026. 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.
Do not leave completing the tests until the last minute in case you experience any access or technical issues. There may not be technical support available after business hours and after 2pm on the closing date of 24th August 2026..
While the tests should work on most operating systems and modern browsers with a good internet connection, we cannot guarantee that every combination will work. At the beginning, the test will check which browser you are using, and alert you if it is likely to be incompatible.
It is highly recommended that you complete the online tests on a desktop computer, not a mobile phone or tablet.
Please note that online tests associated with this vacancy are not subject to time limits; for further information visit the Reasonable adjustments for online tests - a candidate guide
As part of the application process you will be asked to provide a Civil Service behaviour, CV and Personal Statement to demonstrate your experience relating to the Essential Requirements listed in the job advert.
- A name-blind (anonymous) CV covering your previous job history, qualifications and experience.
- A Personal Statement should be no more than 500 words to align with the essential criteria listed in the advert.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
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