Technical Delivery Manager

Governance and Representation

• Represent the Forestry Commission at cross-government and cross-organisational forums, steering groups and delivery teams, including Defra, DDTS and EUDP.
• Support the Head of IT and Business Services by providing advice on IT-related initiatives and contributing to strategic decision-making associated with the SPS programme.

Supplier, Commercial & Contract Management

• Oversee suppliers supporting delivery of the SPS IT portfolio as required, ensuring services meet business needs, quality standards and budget requirements.
• Provide technical expertise to procurement and tendering activities, producing technical specifications and supporting supplier selection and management in partnership with Commercial Services.

Other

• Contribute to wider Plant Health Forestry team activities and initiatives as required
• Participate in other projects or work areas that require input as directed and agreed with manager.

The responsibilities of these roles may evolve over time as the SPS negotiations progress and the team develop our wider structures, services and ways of working.

The post holders will therefore need to be adaptable and comfortable working in a changing environment.

Person specification

Essential

• Degree or equivalent professional qualifications in a related area; and/or significant experience working in an IT systems delivery role.
• Experience of working in uncertainty with the ability to manage a busy workload and quickly respond to emerging or changing priorities
• Ability to build productive working relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including colleagues at all levels, external stakeholders and colleagues across government.
• Experience of working at a strategic level, identifying dependencies and inconsistency across multiple projects
• Excellent track record of IT systems delivery to time, cost and quality constraints
• Ability to find solutions to issues that arise quickly and constructively, maintaining focus on delivery to tight timescales

Desirable

• Experience working with government digital services.
• Experience operating within complex regulatory or operational environments.
• Knowledge of project delivery methodologies such as Agile, Waterfall or hybrid approaches.
• Experience working across organisational boundaries.
• Experience translating business, operational or policy requirements into technology, system or service requirements.
• Experience working with third party suppliers and/or multi organisation delivery teams to achieve project outcomes.

Please clearly demonstrate how the above applies to you throughout your application.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Delivering at Pace
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together

Salary and Benefits

Alongside your salary of £48,765, Forestry Commission contributes £14,127 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).

• A Civil Service pension.
• A range of family friendly benefits.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• A culture which promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment.
• A range of wellbeing benefits including discounted Civil Service Healthcare, access to an Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, Bike to Work Scheme, plus many more.
• 25 days annual leave, with 1 additional day for each years’ service up to 5 years (pro rata), plus 10.5 bank holidays/privilege days (pro rata).
• Ability to buy or sell 5 days annual leave.
• 3 days volunteering per year (pro rata).

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, Strengths and Experience.

This is a Fixed Term Appointment until 30th March 2027 with the possibility of extension or permanency but no guarantee.

As part of the application process, you will complete the following:

• A tailored CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years. The CV will be split into 3 parts and requests: Job History, Previous Skills/Experience, and Full Qualification Details.
• A personal statement – in no more than 500 words showing how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the Person Specification.
• A number of behavioural statements.

Should a large number of applications be received, the initial sift may be conducted using a lead behaviour.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

We will be conducting online interviews with the use of Microsoft Teams or equivalent online communication methods. Candidates would therefore require access to a computer and internet at interview stage.

Those invited to interview will be further assessed on Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Indicative Timeline:

• Shortlisting to take place w/c 27th July 2026
• Interviews to be carried out w/c 10th August 2026

Dates may be subject to change.

Further Information

• A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
• This role is advertised as a minimum of 37 hours per week. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
• Any move to Forestry Commission 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; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.
• If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
• In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
• However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
• Existing Civil Servants (excluding Forestry Commission employees) and applicants from accredited NDP