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Government Recruitment Service; Widnes; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Government Recruitment Service in Widnes is seeking a Senior Operational Leader to drive strategic priorities and deliver performance across a geographically dispersed team within the CFCD of the DWP. You will provide transformational leadership, guide senior stakeholders, and ensure a resilient, customer-focused service.

You will lead with inclusive leadership, manage risk, and foster collaboration with other government departments and external bodies.

Responsibilities

• Lead a large, geographically diverse team of Higher Executive Officers (HEOs), setting strategic business priorities and driving performance.
• Make sound, complex decisions at pace and instil technical knowledge in your team.
• Use initiative to seek solutions to problems; making interpretative judgements where circumstances fall outside of available guidance.
• Oversee business change, lead performance reviews, and drive continuous improvement.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with senior representatives from other government departments and external bodies.
• Provide visible, effective leadership through regular site visits and clear communication.
• Motivate teams to operate flexibly, seek feedback, and personalise services for customers.
• Encourage creative thinking and collaborative working to drive innovation and service improvements.
• Ensure compliance with DWP policies and procedures, managing risk exposure.
• Be aware of HR policy and procedures, carrying out the decision-maker role on sensitive staff related issues.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

People management

Communication

Job description

DWP helps people lift themselves out of poverty and to stay out of poverty, through work, saving and support. This is a hugely important public service, and our challenge is bigger than ever. As part of Counter Fraud and Compliance Directorate (CFCD) you will be at the heart of DWP’s frontline operations, helping to change people's lives and supporting CFCD's purpose of fighting fraud in the welfare system.

As Senior Operational Leader, you will role model excellent senior management leadership, taking responsibility for the flexible, effective, personalised delivery of customer service, quality, and performance.You will provide transformational leadership to a geographically diverse team, leading through others, driving people engagement and inspiring colleagues to deliver objectives.

CFCD is a great place to work where the leadership team are passionate about attracting the best talent whilst nurturing and valuing new and existing colleagues to be the best they can be. We are looking for people who can demonstrate our values and commitment to leadership which are based around Collaboration, Resilience and Inclusivity. We look for emotionally aware leaders who enable teams to be innovative, adaptable and flexible. We want you to be comfortable challenging the norm and finding daring and dynamic solutions that support our values and enable colleagues to shine in whatever role they do.

As a Senior Operational Leader, you will:

• Lead a large, potentially geographically diverse team of Higher Executive Officers (HEOs), setting strategic business priorities and driving performance.
• Make sound, complex decisions at pace and instil technical knowledge in your team.
• Use initiative to seek solutions to problems; making interpretative judgements where circumstances fall outside of available guidance.
• Oversee business change, lead performance reviews, and drive continuous improvement.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with senior representatives from other government departments and external bodies.
• Provide visible, effective leadership through regular site visits and clear communication.
• Motivate teams to operate flexibly, seek feedback, and personalise services for customers.
• Encourage creative thinking and collaborative working to drive innovation and service improvements.
• Ensure compliance with DWP policies and procedures, managing risk exposure.
• Be aware of HR policy and procedures, carrying out the decision-maker role on sensitive staff related issues.

Due to the geographically dispersed nature of this team, there will befrequent travel and overnight stays.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Senior Operational Leader

Company: Government Recruitment Service
Salary: £44,447 to £44,447 a year
Hours: Full-time
Location: Widnes
Job type: Permanent
Posting date: 16 Sept 2026
Closing date: 29 Sept 2026

Summary

DWP helps people lift themselves out of poverty and to stay out of poverty, through work, saving and support. This is a hugely important public service, and our challenge is bigger than ever. As part of Counter Fraud and Compliance Directorate (CFCD) you will be at the heart of DWP’s frontline operations, helping to change people's lives and supporting CFCD's purpose of fighting fraud in the welfare system.

As Senior Operational Leader, you will role model excellent senior management leadership, taking responsibility for the flexible, effective, personalised delivery of customer service, quality, and performance.You will provide transformational leadership to a geographically diverse team, leading through others, driving people engagement and inspiring colleagues to deliver objectives.

CFCD is a great place to work where the leadership team are passionate about attracting the best talent whilst nurturing and valuing new and existing colleagues to be the best they can be. We are looking for people who can demonstrate our values and commitment to leadership which are based around Collaboration, Resilience and Inclusivity. We look for emotionally aware leaders who enable teams to be innovative, adaptable and flexible. We want you to be comfortable challenging the norm and finding daring and dynamic solutions that support our values and enable colleagues to shine in whatever role they do.

As a Senior Operational Leader, you will:

• Lead a large, potentially geographically diverse team of Higher Executive Officers (HEOs), setting strategic business priorities and driving performance.

• Make sound, complex decisions at pace and instil technical knowledge in your team.

• Use initiative to seek solutions to problems; making interpretative judgements where circumstances fall outside of available guidance.

• Oversee business change, lead performance reviews, and drive continuous improvement.

• Build strong, collaborative relationships with senior representatives from other government departments and external bodies.

• Provide visible, effective leadership through regular site visits and clear communication.

• Motivate teams to operate flexibly, seek feedback, and personalise services for customers.

• Encourage creative thinking and collaborative working to drive innovation and service improvements.

• Ensure compliance with DWP policies and procedures, managing risk exposure.

• Be aware of HR policy and procedures, carrying out the decision-maker role on sensitive staff related issues.

Due to the geographically dispersed nature of this team, there will befrequent travel and overnight stays.

About Disability Confident Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.