Head of Operations - CDDO

Working closely with the deputy director, this role owns the business operations service to staff in CDDO and strategically advises the Executive Leadership team to effectively manage the business operations across CDDO.

As a Head of Operations you’ll:

• Lead the operations team, ensuring each member of the team has a well-rounded set of skills, are excellent practitioners and have the necessary management, tools and training deliver high quality work. You’ll contribute as a leader within CDDO and the operational delivery profession by actively participating in cross-government and cross-cabinet office programmes and working closely with senior officials.
• Assuring and coordinating CDDO financial approvals processes, working with the Head of Portfolio to oversee Business Case production, advising teams on the appropriate level of external governance and navigating business cases through Cabinet Office approvals Boards, and Treasury Approval Points where appropriate.
• Overseeing and coordinating financial planning events for the organisation including departmental business planning, budgets, and Spending Reviews across the organisation.
• Design and deliver the business operations function and processes as a service to CDDO staff as well as a way to efficiently manage the business. 
• Oversee operational reporting and provide considered advice based on insights and evidence on key operational decisions such as finance, contracts, workforce to the Executive Leadership Team and Senior Leadership team.
• Develop key operations strategies such as the strategic workforce and location plan and lead key strategic operational work such as the spending review and business planning. 
• Working closely with the Head of Portfolio, ensure all operational needs are set up to support and enable delivery of priorities across CDDO. 
• Develop and maintain key relationships with cabinet office operations colleagues and agree formal and informal ways of working across CDDO, GDS and centralised functions.
• Play a key role in the Transformation and Operations Team, line managing the work of the operations team and ensuring it aligns with strategic priorities. 

Who you'll be

This role requires:

• Demonstrable experience in business operations and designing these functions around the needs of the business. 
• Involvement in building and delivering clear, practical business and workforce strategies and plans in a complex environment, identifying dependencies and making links to associated funding implications. .
• Experience of driving effective decision making using accurate and concise data.
• A solutions focused approach, supported by demonstrable experience of delivering continuous improvement or change projects. 
• Experience of leadership, in both inspiring and motivating teams and working across professional boundaries within a diverse senior stakeholder environment. 
• A track record of delivery through collaboration and partnering in complex environments, including evidence of high personal impact and judgement working with stakeholders 
• Strong relationship management and negotiation skills and proven experience of dealing with stakeholders to deliver results 
• Understanding of the public sector and government processes especially around finance, commercial and HR.
• Experience of working in an agile and/or digital environment 

Additional Information

The selection process as a standard for all of our CDDO roles consists of:

• An application screening process - Simply, hit apply. We only ask for a Cover letter (up to 750 words and a CV. Important tip - please ensure that your cover letter includes how you meet the skills and experience listed in the “who you’ll be” section above.
• An interview - We will asses you against the behaviours (Changing and Improving), Strength based questions (Team Leader and Service Focused) and experience.

CDDO offers hybrid working for all employees. This means that everyone does some working from home/remote working and also spends some time in their local office. You will agree to your hybrid working arrangement with your line manager in line with your preferences and business needs. 

If we receive a high number of applications, we may decide to include an additional round (this would typically be a short telephone interview or assessment/exercise depending on the type of role).

Security level for the role; This role requires SC security clearance. If further clearance is required in the future, you will be expected to complete this. Further details are outlined in Security vetting for employees.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. For further information see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prison-leavers-project-improving-outcomes-for-prison-leavers