The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for welfare, pensions and child maintenance policy. As the UK’s biggest public service department, we operate on a scale that is almost unmatched anywhere in Europe and most people in Britain come into contact with us at some point in their lives.

DWP Estates Directorate are accountable for the delivery of all aspects of real estate services and the work we do is critical in ensuring the vital work that the Department undertakes is enabled effectively. The DWP commercial estate is the largest within Government and our diverse national property portfolio reflects this scale. It is a unique mix ranging from modern corporate centres, multi-occupied Service Centres, to its frontline high street services.

We are responsible for the Department’s 900+ workplaces, that provide workplaces for 90,000 employees and a UK wide presence for all those that visit us. Ultimately, the Department relies on us to provide safe and secure buildings that are fit for purpose and meet the needs of the business.

The Department is also committed to delivering Sustainability and Net Zero Carbon improvements across its estate, demonstrating leadership in making the public estate smaller, better, greener. The work you will be undertaking is therefore crucial in us meeting the needs of all those who use our services.

This senior management position is based within DWP’s Estates directorate, part of People, Capability and Place and will be a senior representative across the Service Delivery Field and Corporate Function working closely with senior stakeholders and customers, up to and including Ministers, to ensure high quality day to day delivery of services. With key responsibilities in promoting and ensuring cost effective improvements in operational delivery, increased customer satisfaction and compliance with policies and regulations, whilst delivering the relevant aspects of the strategic Real Estate portfolio plan.

This role is suitable for a hybrid working arrangement, a type of flexible working arrangement, blending a combination of all workplace options (including home) with an office identified as a base and which remains the contractual place of work. Hybrid working means an employee working part of the week in their DWP office and, part of the week from home.

Hybrid workers will spend a minimum of 40% of their time in the office over a four-week period. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account. This means that colleagues’ experiences of hybrid working will differ. Also, any employee’s experience of hybrid working could change over time as role requirements and possibly personal circumstances change.

Key accountabilities

• Ensure plans and activities across operational delivery reflect wider strategic priorities and communicates effectively with senior leaders and customers to influence future strategies.
• Support the Service Delivery Operations Manager to effectively manage c£300m budget across FM and Security Services, understanding financial accounting rules linked to financial forecasting and applications for payment.
• Risk Manager across Service Delivery Field/Corporate – drawing together Regional risk management plans and assessing Estates level risk in line with risk management framework.
• Manages stakeholder engagement governance, ensuring that a framework is in place across the team to ensure consistency, with established touchpoints across work and Health and Service Excellence Division. Responsible for National escalation into Operations Manager.
• Manage supply chain engagement across FM and Security, ensuring that a framework is in place across the team to ensure consistency. Responsible for national escalation through performance management meetings and into Key Account Management meetings.
• Works alongside Estates Portfolio Strategy and Planning colleagues and key stakeholders to ensure the portfolio Strategy is delivered collaboratively through a blended team approach. Bringing together views, perspectives and diverse needs of stakeholders to gain a broader understanding of the issues within Estates.
• Works closely with the Service Delivery Change Manager, translating Departmental business requirements and strategy into Real Estate related consequences, and communicate concisely with appropriate facets of the DWP Estates team and business.
• Provides operational assurance, including challenge and approval relating to spend and service provision presenting reasonable conclusions from a wide range of complex scenarios, making decisions confidently even when details are unclear or if they prove to be unpopular.
• Contributing to and approval of development and changes to operating processes in partnership with the Integrator supplier. Encouraging, recognising and sharing innovative ideas from a diverse range of colleagues, partners and stakeholders.
• Oversee supplier performances to assure full compliance with standards established within the service agreement, acting as an Escalation Point for the Integrator and supporting in query resolution or building related issues.
• Take a continuous improvement approach to service delivery, adding value to DWP business objectives and drive out cost reductions to achieve value for money.
• Lead / coordinate initiatives on an Estate basis (e.g. best practice, MI, innovation, cost savings, performance, customer satisfaction and quality).
• Lead and support people development activities within team and increase team’s capabilities, whilst fostering a ‘One Team’ culture across the Estates operating model.

Essential Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Significant experience within a property profession discipline.
• Solid knowledge of building condition and performance, and related contract and clause management
• Strong commercial experience gained within the Property/FM division of a complex, matrix organisation
• Management of external suppliers/contractors who deliver both FM and Project activities.
• Influential and able to lead key senior stakeholders towards Commercial solutions that give a balance of optimal commercial performance whilst delivering on business and portfolio strategy
• High level management of key suppliers in negotiations, managing and escalating issues, and engaging in key decision making with strategic consequences
• Interpretation and analysis of data to inform decision making
• Knowledge and experience of risk management frameworks
• Experience of budget and financial management

Qualifications/professional memberships

Desirable

• Working towards IWFM (Levels 4-5) or higher, with a preference if already held

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

• Changing and Improving
• Leadership
• Working Together

• 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 average employer contribution of 27%

Job contact :

Name :
Sarah Law
Email :
sarah.l.law@dwp.gov.uk

Recruitment team

Email :
dwprecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk