Board Member

CompanyDepartment for Work and Pensions (DWP)

LocationLondon Area, United Kingdom

Posted At1/22/2026

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Occupation Type

Elected officers and representatives

Occupation Code Skill LevelIneligible

Sponsorship EligibilityIneligible for Sponsorship

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Description

Lead Non-Executive Director to the Departmental Board

Time commitment: 24 day(s) per annum

Remuneration: £20,000 per annum

Length of term: 3 Years

Application deadline: Midday on 13 February 2026

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) plays a vital role in delivering the UK government's Missions for Growth and Opportunity. As the UK's largest public services department, we support people to enter and thrive in employment, we steward the UK's workplace pensions system and administer the State Pension, and we deliver social security to around 20 million people.

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions is seeking to appoint a Lead Non-Executive Board Member (NEBM) to the Departmental Board.

The Lead NEBM will support the Secretary of State and the Permanent Secretary by providing sound advice, challenge, and assurance. The Lead NEBM is also responsible for providing leadership of the department’s six NEBMs and eight Non-Executive Members.

The Role of a Lead Non-Executive Board Member

The Lead Non-Executive Board Member role may over time to respond to policy and operational priorities. It will include :

Working closely with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the Permanent Secretary to support strategic oversight of the department and advise on effective delivery of their priorities.
Deputising as Chair of the Departmental Board on behalf of Secretary of State. Driving the success of the Board by providing strategic leadership to ensure the Board operates effectively, driving discussions that align with departmental priorities and deliver tangible outcomes for citizens.
Applying experience of leading complex organisations to offer challenge and support on the effective strategic and operational leadership of the Department, including operational delivery; fiscal management; risk appetite; talent/people; technology and management information.
Providing leadership and oversight of the department’s NEBMs, ensuring they are engaging on priorities effectively and providing support.
Providing scrutiny, challenge, and advice about the operational implications of policy, delivery, and transformation proposals.

Undertaking deep dives to support and advise on certain topics including departmental risks, policy matters or material delivery challenges.

Reviewing the department’s business plans and challenging progress, including contributing to the Department’s Annual Report and Accounts and the Permanent Secretary’s performance review.

Chairing monthly meetings with the NEBMs /NEMs to ensure excellent information flow between central Government, the department, senior officials and Ministers.

Attending the Executive Leadership Board to support succession planning, senior official talent management and departmental change.

Attending government-wide meetings for lead NEDs to share best practice and to help drive the Government’s agenda.

Committing, as a minimum, 24 days per year to your role as Lead Non-Executive Board Member, with the expectation that you may need to spend more time dedicated to the role to execute it to a high standard.

Adhere to the key principles of public life The Nolan Principles.

Essential criteria

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following essential qualities, skills, and experience of working with senior leaders/executives and leading across large-scale organisations:

Proven track record of delivering change and impact at Board level in the public or private sector, within a large, customer-facing organisation. Demonstrates experience of operating at scale and a strong record of achievement in driving strategic outcomes.

The above will be the lead essential criterion and, if there is a high volume of applications, it will be used to identify candidates for the shortlist.

Additional essential criteria:

Leadership: the ability to set strategic vision and drive forward priorities of the organisation
Knowledge: a clear understanding of the work, priorities and challenges of the organisation and the context within which it operates.
Experience: a strong track record of delivery on significant public policy issues within the private, public or voluntary sectors.
Relationship building: proven ability to build strong stakeholder relationships, including with Ministers and Senior Government officials and external stakeholders.
Communication: strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to listen, accept challenge and constructively challenge others in discussions with clarity and respect.

Judgement: effective decision-making skills with the ability to critically analyse a wide range of information to make clear and objective evidence-based recommendations to support the delivery of the organisation's objectives.

Collaboration: ability to work closely with the executive board and other key stakeholders, providing support, constructive challenge and assurance as appropriate.

Desirable criteria

The ability to influence and align diverse stakeholders across government, business, and civil society to deliver inclusive, evidence-based strategies that improve outcomes for vulnerable groups while ensuring operational efficiency and financial sustainability.

Location: London

Number of Roles: 1

Remuneration: £20,000 per annum

Time Commitment: A minimum time commitment of 24 days per annum

Length of Term: 3 years

The vacancy closes Midday on 13 February 2026. For more information and to apply to this role please visit the link below.