Department for Education
Regional Analysis Deputy Director
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Bristol BS2 0EL, Cambridge CB2 8DR, Coventry CV1 2WT, Croydon CR0 2AQ, Darlington DL1 5QE, Leeds LS1 4AP, Manchester M1 2WD, Newcastle NE1 8QH, Sheffield S1 2FJ, Watford WD17 1JJ
Please note – DfE will vacate Croydon, Watford, Newcastle and Leeds in the coming months. Therefore, this location option is only available to existing DfE employees already assigned to this office location.
Job Summary
This is a pivotal Deputy Director role at the heart of RG’s future capability.
You will lead the transformation of our Data and Analysis function into a strategic, insight-led engine that drives decision-making, targets delivery and improves outcomes for children at scale.
You will combine strategic leadership, analytical expertise and operational delivery to ensure that data and insight shape how RG prioritises, intervenes and delivers across the system.
Job Description
Regions Group (RG) works with local partners to break down the barriers to opportunity so that every child is safe, has the best start in life and can achieve and thrive. We do this through:
- Collaboration – we develop strong relationship to lead, bring together, challenge and support our partners
- Regulation – we ensure standards are met, share effective practice and take action to improve outcomes
- Delivery – we use our knowledge, delivery expertise and influence to achieve the Department’s objectives.
Data, analysis and insight are at the heart of our work, enabling our regional and national teams to make evidence-based decisions affecting children’s outcomes. This work is growing in scale and importance, so we have created this new Deputy Director role to bolster and redesign our existing G6-led Data and Analysis Unit. This is a pivotal strategic, analytical and operational leadership role, ensuring our data and analysis function provides the best possible service for the Group.
Lead RG’s data and insight capability
- Lead data, analysis and insight across Regions Group to drive better decisions and delivery
- Deliver high-quality insight and evidence across core priorities (SEND, CSC, schools, trusts, local government and system performance)
- Support ministerial and senior decision-making, including LA Performance Boards, with clear benchmarking and evidence
Turn data and evidence into action
- Enable teams to understand, interpret and use data, building demand and self-service capability
- Provide a holistic view of places and institutions, integrating multiple data sources into actionable insight
- Support governance, planning and live decision-making, including rapid analytical support on priority issues
- Work closely with digital and data colleagues to embed modern analytical and data tools and methods, including Databricks and explore opportunities for AI to make our work more efficient and impactful
Lead a high-performing division
- Set direction and lead a high-impact, multidisciplinary analytical team
- Work across RG, policy, Digital, Data and Technology (DDT) to deliver a joined-up data and analytical strategy
- Influence senior stakeholders, including Regional Directors, to drive delivery through insight
- Attract, develop and retain top analytical talent, representing RG across the analytical community
- Engaging, inspiring and supporting a cross-site team
Drive performance and innovation
- Shape KPIs and performance frameworks with Delivery and Performance colleagues
- Lead efficiency, digitisation and continuous improvement across the function
- Create a culture of critical thinking, innovation and problem-solving
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Operate as a senior system leader
- Adapt priorities to meet the Group’s needs, taking on wider SCS-level responsibilities as required
Badging
This Is a Senior Analytical Post, Applications Will Only Be Accepted From Analysts Who Hold One Of The Following Analytical Profession Badges:
- Government Economic Service GES
- Government Operational Service GORs
- Government Statistical Service GSS
- Government Social Research Service GSR
Person specification
In particular we are looking for someone who can demonstrate the following
Essential Criteria:
- Strategic Leadership of Data, Analysis and Insight Functions - experience of leading and transforming a high-performing data, analysis or intelligence function adopting innovative approaches, possibly involving AI, to deliver strategic impact across a large, complex organisation.
- Using Data and Insight to Drive Delivery and Improve Outcomes - A strong track record of using data, analysis and evidence to improve performance, target interventions and achieve measurable outcomes at scale.
- Senior Operational Leadership - proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and lead and manage a range of analytical professions to produce high quality and timely analysis for delivery and policy.
- Stakeholder Influence - build productive relationships across organisational boundaries to deliver strategic objectives and think critically and strategically working alongside senior delivery and policy colleagues.
- Adaptability and Resilience - the ability to work flexibly and adapt to changing priorities, balancing competing demands and leading teams effectively in a complex, fast-paced environment while maintaining a focus on delivery.
Memberships
- Government Economic Service GES
- Government Operational Service GORs
- Government Statistical Service GSS
- Government Social Research Service GSR
Salary and Benefits
Alongside your salary of £86,000, Department for Education contributes £24,914 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).
Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies.
As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.
You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years’ service. In addition, all staff receive the King’s Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days’ bank and public holidays.
We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances, but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.
Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.
As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.
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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
Application
To apply for this role, you need to complete an online application via the Civil Service Jobs portal. Applications will be accepted until 23:55 31 August 2026
- A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years
- A Statement of Suitability (no longer than 1000 words) detailing why should we consider you for this role, with focus on the essential criteria outlined in slide 9 and why you have chosen the Department for Education. You can choose to outline any further information you believe is relevant for the role or further demonstrates.
Failure to submit both documents will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification.
Please note the CS Jobs system at the point of application states not to insert information that will identify you. As this is a Senior Civil Servant role so that we can understand your experience for this role please provide this information in the CV and Supporting Statement specifying your employment history.
If you are unable to apply online, please contact scs.recruitment@education.gov.uk in the first instance. Please visit our career site for further information on the Civil Service application process.
Please Note The Following:
- we cannot accept applications submitted after the closing date;
- applications will be assessed solely on the documentation provided;
- you will be subject to social media checks and references for this role;
- please refer to the advert and checklist above to ensure you have provided everything requested;
- applications will be acknowledged upon receipt;
- feedback will only be given to candidates unsuccessful following interview
Selection Process
Shortlisted Candidates Will Be Invited To:
- A formal panel virtual interview on either 14 or 15 September. Candidates will be asked to prepare a presentation for the interview (further information will be shared with shortlisted candidates) and they will be asked questions to further assess their Experience against the Essential Criteria as outlined on slide 9.
Please note that at interview stage we may ask if you have any conflicts of interest to declare and social media checks maybe conducted prior to appointment.
Candidates With Disabilities
As an employer we are committed to promoting and protecting the physical and mental health and wellbeing of all our colleagues and applicants. The Department for Education uses the Disability Confident scheme (formerly the Guaranteed Interview scheme) to help widen employment opportunities for disabled people. Applicants with disabilities who meet the essential criteria, as stated in the person specification, the Civil Service nationality requirements and indicate they are applying under the Disability Confident scheme will be guaranteed an
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