DIRECTOR Schools Analysis, Systems and Strategy
Description
- Job grade: SCS Pay Band 2
- Contract type: Permanent
- Business area: DFE - Schools Group - SASS - Schools Analysis, System and Strategy
- Type of role: Analytical
- Working pattern: Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time
- Number of jobs available: 1
Location
About the job
Job summary
The Director of Schools Analysis, System and Strategy is a high-profile senior leadership role at the heart of the school system. The postholder will
provide strategic leadership across the government's agenda for schools, ensuring that strategy, policy and delivery are coherent, evidence-based and realise the
government's ambitions across the schools agenda.
The directorate sits in Schools Group and deliberately brings together the central schools strategy division alongside expert policy teams on accountability,
regulation and quality and two of the Group's three analytical divisions. Together it shapes and enables delivery of the government's overall strategy for schools,
underpinned by effective accountability that enables school improvement and collaboration, and ensures high-quality evidence and evaluation inform policy
development across the piece.
It sits at the heart of department - the post holder will work broadly across Schools Group, and with every other Group given the shared interests in the school
system. It also works closely with key partners, particularly Ofsted and the EEF. The role is highly visible externally, with the opportunity to develop trusted
relationships with stakeholders to inform high-quality policy and shape reform.
Successful candidates will be required to hold or obtain SC Security Clearance.
The assignment duration
This role has a minimum assignment duration of three years. An assignment duration is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through building your depth of expertise. As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonethelessan important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above
Job description
RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead the development and delivery of the government's schools strategy, seizing the opportunities of devolution, joined up with our SEND reforms to drive inclusion
more broadly, and ensuring an effective response to the independent review on NEETs.
Develop and deliver effective policy on disadvantage, including through the department's relationship with the EEF, and the allocation of ~£3bn/year on pupil
premium.
Drive effective prioritisation across funding and resourcing to ensure the overall programme is impactful and deliverable.
Drive implementation across the schools portfolio: strengthening governance and monitoring, ensuring risks, dependencies and challenges are identified early and
actively managed, and securing progress on outcomes.
Develop effective accountability policy for the school system, working closely with Ofsted on the approach to school inspection, shaping school performance
measures, delivering new digital public profiles, and the manifesto commitment to develop and roll out new trust-level inspection.
Oversee effective regulation policy including on RISE and intervention, both at school and trust level, including introducing a new digital sector service to support a
self-improving system.
As part of these responsibilities, the Director will need to:
• Lead two analytical divisions, ensuring well prioritised and impactful analysis and evidence across a very broad range of schools topics including curriculum,
system policy, SEND, behaviour, attendance, food, and cross-cutting analysis to support strategy and delivery.
• Build powerful partnerships across schools group and the wider department to establish a shared vision and plan for schools, with joined up delivery and effective
flexing of resource as priorities evolve.
• Provide high-quality strategic advice to Ministers, the Director General and senior leaders, including clear recommendations on complex and sensitive issues,
trade-offs, affordability and deliverability.
• Develop and lead high-performing and inclusive teams, shaping a culture that delivers on the priorities of Make it happen, Make it better, and Make it count.
Contribute to the wider leadership of Schools Group and the department, role modelling collaborative leadership and supporting corporate priorities
Person specification
Essential criteria
Applicants will be assessed against the following criteria. If applicant numbers are excessive, preliminary sifting will be done using only the first criteria.
It is important that, through your CV and Statement of Suitability, you provide evidence and examples of proven experience for each of the selection criteria detailed.
- Strategic leadership across a complex system
A substantial track record of leading complex strategy, policy and delivery portfolios across public-service systems at scale, including responsibility for shaping strategic direction, delivering measurable outcomes through multiple partners and stakeholders and enabling smart prioritisation amid difficult choices.
- Policy development and reform delivery
Proven ability to shape and deliver major policy and reform programmes in complex environments, balancing strategic ambition with operational delivery and securing coherence across interconnected areas of policy.
- Delivery, governance and risk management
Experience of leading large-scale delivery portfolios, establishing effective governance, managing risks and dependencies, and maintaining confidence in delivery performance across a complex organisational landscape, while providing strategic leadership across the Schools Group delivery portfolio by setting priorities, drawing connections between interdependent programmes, and driving effective portfolio and programme management.
- Decision making and influencing senior decision makers
Demonstrable experience of providing high-quality advice to Ministers or equivalent senior decision-makers, including clear recommendations on complex and sensitive issues, and the ability to influence across organisational and institutional boundaries.
- Leadership and stakeholder engagement
Exceptional leadership, communication and influencing skills, with a track record of building high-performing and inclusive teams and securing support for major change across a complex stakeholder landscape.
Desirable criteria
Where candidates are closely matched against the essential criteria, the panel may also take account of the following desirable criterion:
- Experience of schools policy and stakeholder landscape.
• Experience designing and delivering digital services.
Desirable criteria will only be assessed at interview in the event of a tie break situation to make an informed decision.
Benefits
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.
Things you need to know
Artificial intelligence
Selection process details
How to apply
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 on 15th of November 2026. Candidate will be asked to provide:
- 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 1,000 words) detailing ‘why should we consider you for this role’ (up to 500 words), why you have chosen the Department for Education (up to 500 words) and addressing your suitability against the key criteria. You can choose to outline any further information you believe is relevant for the role.
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.
If you are unable to apply online, please contact [email protected] 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.
- 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:
- Take part in a Staff Engagement Panel (which typically takes up to 1 hour to complete), to be held w/c 30th of November 2026
- Be invited to attend a formal, face-to-face panel interview on the 11th of December in Sanctuary Buildings, London. You will be asked to prepare a presentation for the interview (further information will be shared with shortlisted candidates) and you will be asked questions to further assess your Experience and Strengths using the Civil Service Strengths Dictionary.
As part of the recruitment process, we may request references. Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.
Please note that at interview stage we may ask if you have any conflicts of interest to declare.
Prior to appointment we shall undertake Due Diligence and Social Media Checks.
Employment scheme for Veterans
The ‘Great Place to Work for Veterans scheme’ makes it easier for veterans to join the Civil Service. If you opt into the scheme and meet the minimum criteria, you’ll progress to the next stage for most roles – whether that’s an interview or an online test.
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 interview.
For an accessible version of the candidate pack, please contact [email protected]
Other Information
We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe 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 circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs
Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.
Reasonable adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Department of Education via [email protected] soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.
Security
Nationality requirements
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) (opens in a new window)
- 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
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : SCS Recruitment Team
- Email : [email protected]
Recruitment team
- Email : [email protected]
Further information
Attachments
| 488722_DirectorSASS_CandidatePack_FFV Opens in new window (pdf, 1407kB) |
| DFE Terms & Conditions - accessible version Opens in new window (pdf, 215kB) |
| SCS OGD Transfer Supplementary Information - accessible version Opens in new window (pdf, 325kB) |
| Reasonable Adjustments guide 05_2025 - accessible version - Copy Opens in new window (pdf, 723kB) |
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