Deputy Director Business & Programme Management

www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk - Jobboard; North East; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A public body is seeking a Deputy Director of Business & Programme Management. This senior leadership role involves overseeing strategic planning and programme delivery to ensure organizational resilience. You will lead key initiatives and manage stakeholder relationships, supporting a culture of continuous improvement. Experience in senior leadership roles is essential as well as a strong understanding of risk management and compliance.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in senior leadership roles.
• Track record of delivering complex programmes.
• Strong understanding of corporate governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead business and programme management functions.
• Drive strategic direction aligned with objectives.
• Manage corporate risk and compliance.

Skills

Strategic planning

Programme delivery

Stakeholder management

Change management

Risk management

Education

Relevant leadership experience

Job description

This is a high-impact, senior leadership role within IBCA, offering a unique opportunity to shape the organisation during a crucial period of growth and organisational development. As Deputy Director of Business & Programme Management, you will be at the forefront of driving strategic planning, programme delivery, and organisational resilience, ensuring that IBCA’s mission to deliver timely payments to all eligible individuals is achieved at scale and pace.

In this role, you will be responsible for leading the organisation’s business planning activities, translating strategic objectives into operational reality through effective programme and project management. You will oversee the delivery of complex, multifaceted programmes, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities, regulatory requirements, and stakeholder expectations.

Your influence will extend to managing corporate risk, ensuring the organisation adapts effectively to changing priorities and external pressures. Acting as a key partner to the Executive Committee (ExCo), Board, and government stakeholders, you will provide strategic counsel, facilitate organisational change, and foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

During different organisational phases including expansion, steady state, and transition, your leadership will be crucial in managing change processes smoothly, maintaining high service levels, safeguarding staff wellbeing, and optimising the utilisation of resources. Your strategic insight and operational excellence will help position IBCA as a model of efficiency, transparency, and public value.

By championing evidence-led decision-making, fostering collaborative relationships, and prioritising organisational resilience, you will ensure IBCA remains agile and responsive to evolving demands while maintaining focus on its core purpose: rapid payments delivery.

In summary, your role will be pivotal to transforming and stabilising IBCA’s operations, ensuring success during rapid growth and subsequent stabilisation, all while maintaining a relentless focus on delivering value for the community and supporting public trust.

At the moment all IBCA roles are hosted by Cabinet Office within the Civil Service. However, once IBCA becomes operational, it is anticipated that these roles may transfer to IBCA, which is a new public body separate from the Cabinet Office and independent of the Civil Service. Roles that transfer to IBCA from Cabinet Office will maintain the same or substantially the same terms and conditions of employment that are overall no less favourable and it is anticipated that employees who move from Cabinet Office to IBCA will be able to continue to participate in the Civil Service Pension arrangements with no break in their pensionable service.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead IBCA’s Business Management and Programme Management functions, setting strategic direction aligned with organisational objectives.
• Oversee the development and delivery of IBCA’s corporate plans, ensuring they are outcome-focused and support rapid growth, steady state, and transition phases.
• Manage corporate risk, translating organisational strategy into effective risk mitigation and assurance activities.
• Establish and maintain robust relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including government departments, HM Treasury, and the Cabinet Office.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement, evidence-based decision-making, and innovation within the organisation.
• Lead the programme management office, ensuring strategic alignment across a diverse portfolio of projects and programmes.
• Oversee legal, financial, and professional support services, ensuring they remain aligned with organisational priorities and community needs.
• Support organisational change management to facilitate transitions between different organisational states.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, policies, and best practices, fostering a high-performing, resilient team.