Description
- Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 31st August 2025
- Location:MODD Corsham, Westwells Road, Corsham, SN13 9NR (Please note that on-site attendance is expected at least three days per week, with regular travel to other locations also required)
- Salary: £59,690
- Reference number: 420658
Defence Digital ensures our Armed Forces remain among the most technologically advanced in the world. We do this by putting innovative and effective technology into the hands of over 200,000 users, from the boardroom to the front line.
We lead on cutting-edge data science, automation, and cyber security at scale. Our mission goes beyond the battlefield by leading humanitarian efforts and driving digital innovation that impacts lives across the globe.
Watch our video to see what we do at Defence Digital!
Passionate about using your skills to make a critical difference? Your next career move could be here!
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job description
We’re offering an exciting opportunity to join our team in a pivotal role where you'll lead the delivery of complex programmes. You’ll bring together technical strategy, Business Architecture, and Agile methodologies to drive impactful outcomes.
You'll be at the forefront of ensuring successful outcomes by:
- Manage complex dependencies, with the ability to plan effectively and contribute to broader programmes and portfolios.
- Oversee programme expenditure by contributing to budget planning, forecasting, tracking actual spend, and supporting the development of business cases.
- Establish and maintain governance frameworks that align with both programme objectives and organisational requirements.
- Provide upward support and reporting to the programme lead, while effectively managing a diverse team of contractors, suppliers, and Crown Servants.
- Effectively balance competing objectives and reallocate people and resources in response to shifting priorities.
- Act as a key escalation point for the programme, working collaboratively with colleagues to resolve issues effectively.
Beyond that, you'll support and coach delivery managers and programme colleagues, helping them develop strategic awareness, navigate the bigger picture, remove blockers, and effectively manage risks, commercials, budgets, and teams.
For further information on the role and duties, please refer to the Government, Digital and Data Capability Framework: Programme delivery manager - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework
Person specification
We're looking for a confident and capable leader who thrives on autonomy, motivates teams, and ensures seamless coordination across a dynamic portfolio, with proven knowledge of Agile, other delivery methodologies, and product and service life-cycles.
This is a highly complex and technically demanding programme, set within a challenging approvals process and a diverse stakeholder landscape. Success in this role requires a strong problem-solver with deep expertise in digital delivery, and has the confidence to lead through uncertainty.
You’ll operate across both Government and Defence, engaging with stakeholders at all levels in a strategic, fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strategic thinking, communicate with confidence, drive delivery forward, and effectively manage relationships with senior stakeholders.
When submitting your CV, please highlight your career history and experience relevant to this role. Additionally, refer to the "Things You Need to Know" section of the advert and provide a personal statement (max. 1250 words) demonstrating the essential criteria listed below:
- Proven experience leading complex projects or programmes using Agile and Waterfall approaches, with strong governance, risk management throughout the delivery life-cycle.
- Proven expertise in Cloud-based service platforms.
- Proven ability to build and manage senior stakeholder relationships through clear communication and expectation management across the delivery life-cycle.
- Proven experience in managing programme or portfolio-level finances, ensuring accurate planning, forecasting, and spend tracking.
Please note:
- Only UK sole nationals are eligible to apply.
- You must obtain STRAP clearance, a security regime that governs access to highly sensitive intelligence requiring stricter handling than standard government protocols.
- Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you've been recruited for. If it isn't obtained or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn. Obtaining DV security clearance can be a lengthy process, and we reserve the right to withdraw any conditional offer made if the necessary security clearance isn't obtained within 12 months.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Financial Management
Benefits
- Flexible working options- we understand the importance of adapting work to your life.
- Inclusion and diversity- our culture celebrates uniqueness and encourages collaboration of diverse thought.
- Generous annual leave- starting with 25 days and growing to 30 after just 5 years.
- Pension contribution: 28.97%
- Minimum of 15 Days Special Leave in a rolling 12-month period to volunteer for military or emergency service reserve commitments.
- Special Paid Leave for volunteering up to 6 days a year.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
- Most sites have good travel links with free car parking; many also have other facilities such as a Sports & Social Club and Gyms
- You can read more here- Civil Service Employee Benefits , Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk)
Equality and Diversity
Our people are at the heart of everything we do at Defence Digital. It’s vital that our workforce reflects the diversity of both our audience and the wider society in the UK, so we’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer and we actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds and communities. We also recognise the importance of a good work life balance, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including part-time and job shares for all our roles. Please let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process if this is something you want to explore.
Professional Framework Statement
Defence Digital operates an organisation model in which every individual belongs to a Government Profession. The successful applicant will be posted into one of the defined Government Professions on Standard Terms of Reference for the grade. Defence Digital reserves the right to move individuals between roles, within their allocated profession, to meet the needs of the business and in support of agile resourcing. Within Defence Digital each profession is led by a Professional Head of Community who will lead professional development and support the Continuous Professional Development path for their group.
Learning & Development
In Defence Digital we have a strong learning and development ethos, supporting you to fulfil your potential by providing:
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- Professional and Personal Development of skills
- Access to thousands of training courses through Civil Service Learning, some free or paid by MOD
- Ability to obtain industry recognised qualifications supported by MOD
Hybrid Working
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity. Requirements to attend other locations for official business or work in another MOD office will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time. Please note that on-site attendance is expected at least three days per week, with regular travel to other locations also required.
Strategic Command is going through a significant transformation programme which aims to improve the way the Command conducts its business and delivers for Defence and the nation. As a consequence of this, all posts within Strategic Command Headquarters and in time the wider organisation, are/will be subject to review and potential changes as we continuously improve across the period of the transformation programme. These changes may be minor or could be more substantive and will generate new opportunities. Throughout, the Command’s transformation programme is committed to following the MOD’s framework on managing and supporting people through the change process and places an emphasis on early and open consultation and engagement with the Command’s personnel and Trade Unions.
The post does not offer relocation expenses.
External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.
Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.
Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.
Any move to MOD 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. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.
MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
To apply, please upload your CV to the relevant section provided on the Civil Service Jobs dashboard, ensuring it clearly demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the Person Specification.
You must also submit a personal statement (maximum 1,250 words) providing evidence of how you meet these criteria.
Please find below, a link to our video which gives you helpful tips and guidance on the CS Jobs application process:
Watch: How to apply on CS Jobs: Guide and Tips
At interview, you will be assessed against the following Behaviours and Technical Skills:
Behaviours:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Leadership
- Communicating & Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
Technical Skills:
- Financial Management
If you are invited for an interview, it will be conducted via teams.
In addition to the interview, you will be required to present for 5 minutes on a topic related to the role. The topic of the presentation will be sent to you at least 24 hours before the interview. We will strive to offer as much flexibility as possible, but please note that alternative interview dates may not be available.
AI Usage in Job Applications
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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk .
As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system.
Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.
The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.
The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
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).
- Name :DD Talent Acquisition Team
- Email :ukstratcomdd-hr-talentacqdel@mod.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email :DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk
Further information
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