Deputy Director, Public Sector
Location
London, England, United Kingdom
Posted At
4/14/2025
Advertise with us by contacting: [email protected]
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Description
ONS operates a flexible hybrid working model across the UK, with colleagues linked to one of our contractual locations in Newport, Titchfield (Fareham), Manchester, Edinburgh, London or Darlington and working between office and remote throughout the week.
As part of the hybrid working arrangement there is a 40% minimum office attendance requirement. Attendance is typically at your contractual office, with occasional travel to alternative locations. The induction process for the role will be conducted in person. Due to estates constraints, there are currently temporary exceptions to this for colleagues based at Manchester and Darlington who are required to attend the office for a minimum of 20% of their work time
Job Summary
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the UK’s largest independent producer of official statistics and is the recognised National Statistical Institute.
As Deputy Director for Public Sector at ONS you will lead and shape the work of the Division, as well playing a key role in maintaining and enhancing the strong culture of a high-performing, inclusive and friendly analytical team.
This is a high-profile role responsible for ensuring that the UK’s public sector finance statistics – which are central to the debate on the UK’s fiscal position – are produced and delivered on time and to the highest quality standards. You are also responsible for estimates of non-market output, feeding into GDP, and the UK sector classifications process.
Job Description
You will play a key role in steering an ambitious transformation programme in the Division. This will transform the systems we use to derive our statistics, enable the production of new and more granular public sector statistics, and examine the feasibility of using administrative data to improve the quality of our outputs.
You will be responsible for management of the division’s budget and workforce plans, making sure that the resources and capability of your division is used as effectively as possible.
You will set the strategic direction of the division, ensuring that it aligns with ONS priorities via the Accountability Framework and established governance.
Success will depend on building strong and effective relationships with colleagues across the ONS, effective change management, and creative problem solving.
Externally, you will build and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues in key Government departments. You will also work with the devolved administrations and wider statistical and research communities.
Internally, you will be responsible for ensuring the Division is managed effectively, risks are identified and mitigated, and staff have a clear understanding of their purpose and contribution, receiving the support they need to do their job effectively.
You will help to make the ONS a great place to work by building an inclusive and collaborative culture in which everyone can thrive, enabling a diverse range of voices to inform our approach, and encouraging continuous improvement so that we learn and improve delivery.
Key Responsibilities
You will play a key role in steering an ambitious transformation programme in the Division. This will transform the systems we use to derive our statistics, enable the production of new and more granular public sector statistics, and examine the feasibility of using administrative data to improve the quality of our outputs.
You will be responsible for management of the division’s budget and workforce plans, making sure that the resources and capability of your division is used as effectively as possible.
You will set the strategic direction of the division, ensuring that it aligns with ONS priorities via the Accountability Framework and established governance.
Success will depend on building strong and effective relationships with colleagues across the ONS, effective change management, and creative problem solving.
Externally, you will build and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues in key Government departments. You will also work with the devolved administrations and wider statistical and research communities.
Internally, you will be responsible for ensuring the Division is managed effectively, risks are identified and mitigated, and staff have a clear understanding of their purpose and contribution, receiving the support they need to do their job effectively.
You will help to make the ONS a great place to work by building an inclusive and collaborative culture in which everyone can thrive, enabling a diverse range of voices to inform our approach, and encouraging continuous improvement so that we learn and improve delivery.
Key Responsibilities
Person specification
Essential Criteria
The Office for National Statistics is part of the Civil Service, and as such we share a number of key benefits with other departments, whilst also having our own unique offerings to support our 5400 valued colleagues across the business.
Whether you are hearing about us for the first time or already know a bit about our organisation, we hope that the benefits pack attached (bottom of page) will give you a great insight into the benefits and facilities available to our colleagues, and our fantastic working culture.
Inclusion & Accessibility
At ONS we are always looking to attract the very best people from the widest possible talent pool, and we are proud to be an inclusive, equal opportunities employer. As a Disability Confident Leader we’re committed to ensuring that all candidates are treated fairly throughout the recruitment process.
As part of our application process, you will be prompted to provide details of any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process that you need. If you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments before applying, please contact the recruitment team in the first instance.
If you would like an accessible version of any of the attachments or recruitment documents below or linked to in this advert, please contact the recruitment team who will be happy to assist.
Selection process details
Security Clearance
For ONS the requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for 3 consecutive years immediately prior to applying and the department will consider eligibility by exception on a case-by-case basis. You will be asked to provide information regarding your UK residency during your application, and failure to provide this will result in your application being rejected.
If you are unsure that you meet the eligibility above, please read the information available on Gov.uk on this link, or contact the recruitment email on the advert before applying to discuss, as failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected and any offer of employment being withdrawn.
At the point of SC application, you will need to provide or give access to the following evidence:
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
All applicants will have access to AI resources, it is therefore important to remember these tools, although helpful in streamlining the writing process, cannot fully understand the organisational context, or requirements for the role you are applying for.
To maintain authenticity and credibility of the application process, should you choose to use generative AI tools, you need to ensure the information you provide in your supporting evidence accurately reflects your skills, knowledge, and experience.
ONS does not advocate relying solely on generative AI to write your application. Doing so may negatively impact your chances of success during the selection process.
If you are invited to interview, please be aware the use of AI tools is prohibited and any suspected use may result in the termination of your interview and subsequent withdrawal from the campaign.
Reserve list
Please also note that we may use this selection to create a Deputy Director reserve list for a period of 12 months from which further ONS appointments can be made.
Selection Process
Applications should consist of your CV and Personal Statement combined as one document and uploaded as a single attachment through Civil Service Jobs.
A Curriculum Vitae consisting Of:
Further information on the assessment approach for this role can be found in the candidate pack.
Expected Recruitment Timetable
Shortlisting meeting: WC 12th May 2025
Employee Engagement Exercise: WC 26th May 2025
Interviews: 11th June 2025- Held in ONS, 2 Marsham St, London SW1P 4DF
Dates are subject to change.
Informal conversations to discuss suitability with the recruiting manager are welcomed in advance of the application closing date and can be arranged via email.
Full terms and conditions are attached at the bottom of this advert
If you meet the required standard but the recruiting department is unable to offer you the job, you may be given the option of being added to a reserve list. Reserve lists may be shared with other Civil Service departments and professions who are recruiting for similar roles.
Please note that all campaigns may be subject to withdrawal at any stage if the internal resource position changes.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years. An assignment duration is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through building your depth of expertise.
As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:
Working for the Civil Service
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).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
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).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact :
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact [email protected]. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission
As part of the hybrid working arrangement there is a 40% minimum office attendance requirement. Attendance is typically at your contractual office, with occasional travel to alternative locations. The induction process for the role will be conducted in person. Due to estates constraints, there are currently temporary exceptions to this for colleagues based at Manchester and Darlington who are required to attend the office for a minimum of 20% of their work time
Job Summary
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the UK’s largest independent producer of official statistics and is the recognised National Statistical Institute.
As Deputy Director for Public Sector at ONS you will lead and shape the work of the Division, as well playing a key role in maintaining and enhancing the strong culture of a high-performing, inclusive and friendly analytical team.
This is a high-profile role responsible for ensuring that the UK’s public sector finance statistics – which are central to the debate on the UK’s fiscal position – are produced and delivered on time and to the highest quality standards. You are also responsible for estimates of non-market output, feeding into GDP, and the UK sector classifications process.
Job Description
You will play a key role in steering an ambitious transformation programme in the Division. This will transform the systems we use to derive our statistics, enable the production of new and more granular public sector statistics, and examine the feasibility of using administrative data to improve the quality of our outputs.
You will be responsible for management of the division’s budget and workforce plans, making sure that the resources and capability of your division is used as effectively as possible.
You will set the strategic direction of the division, ensuring that it aligns with ONS priorities via the Accountability Framework and established governance.
Success will depend on building strong and effective relationships with colleagues across the ONS, effective change management, and creative problem solving.
Externally, you will build and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues in key Government departments. You will also work with the devolved administrations and wider statistical and research communities.
Internally, you will be responsible for ensuring the Division is managed effectively, risks are identified and mitigated, and staff have a clear understanding of their purpose and contribution, receiving the support they need to do their job effectively.
You will help to make the ONS a great place to work by building an inclusive and collaborative culture in which everyone can thrive, enabling a diverse range of voices to inform our approach, and encouraging continuous improvement so that we learn and improve delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Providing effective leadership, direction and support to your division.
- Ensuring timely and high-quality public sector finance and non-market statistics and analysis that meet the needs of key stakeholders and other users and are fully compliant with international standards and the Code of Practice for Official Statistics, as well as ensuring a consistent and robust economic statistics classification
- Effectively co-lead an ambitious public sector finance transformation programme, which includes elements of change for each part of the Division through far-sighted leadership and by constructive engagement with delivery partners across ONS.
- Leading the discussion of statistical concepts related to effectively recording activity in the public sector – including by engaging in international statistical manual updates and leading their implementation in the UK.
- Presenting and explaining the outputs of the Division to key stakeholders and users, including to journalists, academics, the wider media and ONS events.
- Supporting an open and inclusive team culture and the development of your staff to help build the future capability of the organisation.
You will play a key role in steering an ambitious transformation programme in the Division. This will transform the systems we use to derive our statistics, enable the production of new and more granular public sector statistics, and examine the feasibility of using administrative data to improve the quality of our outputs.
You will be responsible for management of the division’s budget and workforce plans, making sure that the resources and capability of your division is used as effectively as possible.
You will set the strategic direction of the division, ensuring that it aligns with ONS priorities via the Accountability Framework and established governance.
Success will depend on building strong and effective relationships with colleagues across the ONS, effective change management, and creative problem solving.
Externally, you will build and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues in key Government departments. You will also work with the devolved administrations and wider statistical and research communities.
Internally, you will be responsible for ensuring the Division is managed effectively, risks are identified and mitigated, and staff have a clear understanding of their purpose and contribution, receiving the support they need to do their job effectively.
You will help to make the ONS a great place to work by building an inclusive and collaborative culture in which everyone can thrive, enabling a diverse range of voices to inform our approach, and encouraging continuous improvement so that we learn and improve delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Providing effective leadership, direction and support to your division.
- Ensuring timely and high-quality public sector finance and non-market statistics and analysis that meet the needs of key stakeholders and other users and are fully compliant with international standards and the Code of Practice for Official Statistics, as well as ensuring a consistent and robust economic statistics classification
- Effectively co-lead an ambitious public sector finance transformation programme, which includes elements of change for each part of the Division through far-sighted leadership and by constructive engagement with delivery partners across ONS.
- Leading the discussion of statistical concepts related to effectively recording activity in the public sector – including by engaging in international statistical manual updates and leading their implementation in the UK.
- Presenting and explaining the outputs of the Division to key stakeholders and users, including to journalists, academics, the wider media and ONS events.
- Supporting an open and inclusive team culture and the development of your staff to help build the future capability of the organisation.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Strong leadership and management skills to create a motivated, high-performing team to produce data, statistics and analysis, with an emphasis on quality, pace and building capability to address key challenges.
- Excellent quantitative analytical skills, including a good understanding of economics and the ability to explain complex issues to a non-technical audience.
- A strong commitment to change and continuous improvement, with experience leading significant change in business processes and systems or developing new data sources and methods.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the expertise to work with a variety of teams internally and externally, across multiple professions to support and build trusted relationships.
- A proven track record of working closely and collaboratively with others, influencing senior executives, and building effective relationships with key stakeholders.
- Recognised role model of excellent, inclusive leadership, known for exhibiting behaviour that motivates and engages others.
- Whilst knowledge of public sector finance and National Account statistics would be an advantage, it is not essential. The successful candidate would, however, be expected to invest time in understanding relevant statistical guidance and economic concepts.
The Office for National Statistics is part of the Civil Service, and as such we share a number of key benefits with other departments, whilst also having our own unique offerings to support our 5400 valued colleagues across the business.
Whether you are hearing about us for the first time or already know a bit about our organisation, we hope that the benefits pack attached (bottom of page) will give you a great insight into the benefits and facilities available to our colleagues, and our fantastic working culture.
Inclusion & Accessibility
At ONS we are always looking to attract the very best people from the widest possible talent pool, and we are proud to be an inclusive, equal opportunities employer. As a Disability Confident Leader we’re committed to ensuring that all candidates are treated fairly throughout the recruitment process.
As part of our application process, you will be prompted to provide details of any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process that you need. If you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments before applying, please contact the recruitment team in the first instance.
If you would like an accessible version of any of the attachments or recruitment documents below or linked to in this advert, please contact the recruitment team who will be happy to assist.
Selection process details
Security Clearance
For ONS the requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for 3 consecutive years immediately prior to applying and the department will consider eligibility by exception on a case-by-case basis. You will be asked to provide information regarding your UK residency during your application, and failure to provide this will result in your application being rejected.
If you are unsure that you meet the eligibility above, please read the information available on Gov.uk on this link, or contact the recruitment email on the advert before applying to discuss, as failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected and any offer of employment being withdrawn.
At the point of SC application, you will need to provide or give access to the following evidence:
- Departmental or company records (personnel files, staff reports, sick leave reports and security records)
- UK criminal records covering both spent and unspent criminal records
- Your credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
- Security Services records
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
All applicants will have access to AI resources, it is therefore important to remember these tools, although helpful in streamlining the writing process, cannot fully understand the organisational context, or requirements for the role you are applying for.
To maintain authenticity and credibility of the application process, should you choose to use generative AI tools, you need to ensure the information you provide in your supporting evidence accurately reflects your skills, knowledge, and experience.
ONS does not advocate relying solely on generative AI to write your application. Doing so may negatively impact your chances of success during the selection process.
If you are invited to interview, please be aware the use of AI tools is prohibited and any suspected use may result in the termination of your interview and subsequent withdrawal from the campaign.
Reserve list
Please also note that we may use this selection to create a Deputy Director reserve list for a period of 12 months from which further ONS appointments can be made.
Selection Process
Applications should consist of your CV and Personal Statement combined as one document and uploaded as a single attachment through Civil Service Jobs.
A Curriculum Vitae consisting Of:
- Details of your education and/or professional qualifications.
- Full employment history, giving details (where applicable) of budgets and numbers of people managed, relevant key achievements in recent posts.
- Details of your latest remuneration.
- Explanation as to how you meet the essential criteria as detailed in the Person Specification. Your statement should be no longer than 1200 words. We recommend that you give clear examples for each criteria, including your personal contribution and impact and value of your actions.
Further information on the assessment approach for this role can be found in the candidate pack.
Expected Recruitment Timetable
Shortlisting meeting: WC 12th May 2025
Employee Engagement Exercise: WC 26th May 2025
Interviews: 11th June 2025- Held in ONS, 2 Marsham St, London SW1P 4DF
Dates are subject to change.
Informal conversations to discuss suitability with the recruiting manager are welcomed in advance of the application closing date and can be arranged via email.
Full terms and conditions are attached at the bottom of this advert
If you meet the required standard but the recruiting department is unable to offer you the job, you may be given the option of being added to a reserve list. Reserve lists may be shared with other Civil Service departments and professions who are recruiting for similar roles.
Please note that all campaigns may be subject to withdrawal at any stage if the internal resource position changes.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years. An assignment duration is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through building your depth of expertise.
As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
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).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
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).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact :
- Name : Grant Fitzner (Director, MESA)
- Email : [email protected]
- Email : [email protected]
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact [email protected]. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission
Advertise with us by contacting: [email protected]
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