ID 4051
/*generated inline style */
The Welsh Government operates name-free recruitment. The recruiting panel will not see personal information such as a candidate’s name and address during the sifting process. This policy is in line with our commitment to end bias and promote equality and diversity.
/*generated inline style */
Vacancy details
Vacancy title
Head of Programmes, Maintenance & Investment for the Disused Tips Authority Salary range - £61,098 - £78,449
/*generated inline style */
Closing date
11/09/2026, 16:00
/*generated inline style */
Advertising basis
Permanent, Secondment
/*generated inline style */
Actual starting salary
Starting salary: £61,098 per annum. The role sits within a pay range that extends to £78,449, with progression subject to the Authority's pay arrangements. Please note that, whilst these roles will initially be hosted by the Welsh Government, posts within the Disused Tips Authority are subject to the Authority's own pay and reward arrangements. The Welsh Government salary scales displayed alongside this vacancy do not apply to these roles. For candidates who can demonstrate exceptional skills, experience and expertise, there may be scope to appoint above the advertised starting salary, up to the maximum of the approved pay range, subject to the Authority's pay arrangements and relevant approvals.
/*generated inline style */
Salary range or pay band
Other
/*generated inline style */
Allowances
No
/*generated inline style */
Work pattern
Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)
/*generated inline style */
Group
Local Government, Housing, Rural Resilience & Sustainability Group
/*generated inline style */
Directorate
Climate Change & Env Sustainability
/*generated inline style */
Branch
Disused Tips Authority
/*generated inline style */
Location (s)
Other location (including outside of Wales)
/*generated inline style */
Specific Location
Specific Location: Merthyr Tydfil (DTA Headquarters). The Disused Tips Authority's headquarters will be based in Merthyr Tydfil. When the Authority is established on 1 April 2027, a number of regional hubs will also be available across Wales; however, Merthyr Tydfil will remain the organisation's headquarters.
/*generated inline style */
Purpose of post
Help deliver the investment and interventions that will protect communities across Wales.
This is a unique opportunity to help build the delivery capability of one of Wales' newest public organisations.
The Disused Tips Authority for Wales is being established as the national public body responsible for overseeing the safety, management and regulation of disused tips across Wales. Operating in a high-profile, safety-critical environment, our success will depend not only on understanding risk, but on ensuring that public investment is translated into effective maintenance, engineering interventions and long-term asset management.
As Head of Programmes, Maintenance & Investment, you will play a critical leadership role in developing and delivering the Authority's national investment programme. You will ensure public funding is prioritised effectively, maintenance and engineering programmes are coordinated efficiently, and management plans are developed and delivered to achieve lasting reductions in risk.
Working closely with inspection, compliance, engineering and data specialists, you'll ensure investment decisions are informed by robust evidence, aligned to national priorities and deliver measurable improvements in public safety.
Reporting to the Director of Data & Assurance, you'll play a key role in establishing the Authority's programme delivery capability, investment frameworks and operational standards, helping create an organisation recognised for delivering public value through effective infrastructure management and long-term risk reduction.
Beyond the organisation itself, you will work collaboratively with Welsh Government, local authorities, contractors, consultants and delivery partners to strengthen programme delivery capability, promote consistent standards and support the Authority's ambition to become a recognised centre of excellence in infrastructure stewardship and risk-based investment.
The role is both inward and outward facing:
Internally, you will ensure investment, maintenance planning and programme delivery are fully integrated with inspection findings, compliance activity and national risk priorities, creating a joined-up approach to reducing risk across Wales.
Externally, you will build trusted relationships with Welsh Government, local authorities, contractors and delivery partners, ensuring programmes are delivered safely, efficiently and collaboratively while maximising public value.
This is a unique opportunity to shape the delivery capability of a new national organisation, helping establish the Disused Tips Authority as both an effective delivery organisation and a recognised centre of excellence in programme management, public investment and long-term asset stewardship.
Important: The Disused Tips Authority for Wales will be established as an independent Welsh Public Body and separate legal entity on 1 April 2027. Until then, these roles will be hosted by the Welsh Government, providing a unique opportunity to help create and shape a new national organisation from the outset.
Successful candidates will initially be employed by the Welsh Government before transferring to the Disused Tips Authority when it becomes operational on 1 April 2027, with continuity of employment maintained throughout.
The Disused Tips Authority is a separate organisation from the Welsh Government. Please disregard any Welsh Government guidance, policies or recruitment information linked within this advert and refer to the accompanying Candidate Information Pack for information relevant to this vacancy.
To learn more about the Authority's purpose, ambitions, culture, values, benefits and recruitment journey, please review the Candidate Information Pack and recruitment video.
Help build a new public body for Wales: Disused Tips Authority for Wales
General Candidate Information Pack - 2026 Recruitment Campaign
/*generated inline style */
Key tasks
Key Tasks
Delivering national investment programmes
You'll lead the Authority's national investment programme, ensuring maintenance, capital investment and risk reduction programmes are prioritised, coordinated and delivered in line with organisational priorities, statutory responsibilities and available funding.
Managing investment and public funding
You'll oversee the operational delivery of the Authority's investment programme, ensuring funding is allocated transparently, monitored effectively and delivers measurable improvements in public safety, value for money and long-term resilience.
Coordinating maintenance and engineering delivery
You'll lead the planning and coordination of maintenance programmes, engineering interventions and asset management plans, ensuring works are prioritised using evidence, delivered efficiently and aligned to national risk priorities.
Supporting strategic delivery
You'll ensure programme delivery, investment decisions and maintenance activity are fully aligned to the Authority's Corporate Plan and organisational priorities, translating strategic ambition into practical delivery that improves safety and organisational performance.
Developing standards and delivery capability
You'll lead the development and implementation of operational policies, delivery standards and codes of practice that promote consistency, quality and continuous improvement across programme delivery, maintenance and infrastructure management.
You'll help establish the Authority as a recognised centre of excellence by developing programme management capability, promoting best practice and strengthening long-term approaches to infrastructure investment and asset stewardship.
Working across the system
You'll build trusted relationships with Welsh Government, local authorities, contractors, consultants and delivery partners, recognising that successful programme delivery depends upon collaboration, shared expertise and effective partnership working.
Leading a high-performing function
You'll build and lead a professional Programmes, Maintenance & Investment function, creating an environment where colleagues can develop their expertise, deliver complex programmes confidently and achieve outstanding outcomes for communities across Wales.
Successful candidates would have demonstrable experience of leading complex programmes, capital investment or infrastructure projects within the public sector or other complex, regulated organisations. It would also be desirable for candidates to hold, or be working towards, membership of an appropriate professional institution, such as APM, ICE, CIHT or an equivalent professional body.
Technical Capabilities
Important: The technical capabilities listed below will be assessed throughout the selection process. Please refer to these capabilities when preparing your application and provide evidence of how you meet them through your qualifications, skills and experience.
Strategic Programme & Investment Leadership
Leading complex investment programmes and delivery portfolios aligned to organisational priorities and statutory responsibilities.
Translating strategic priorities into coordinated programmes that deliver measurable improvements in public safety and long-term resilience.
Programme & Project Delivery
Leading the planning, coordination and delivery of complex maintenance, capital or infrastructure programmes across multiple workstreams.
Managing programme governance, performance, risks, dependencies and benefits to ensure successful delivery.
Ensuring programmes are delivered safely, efficiently and in accordance with agreed quality, budget and timescale expectations.
Investment & Financial Management
Managing public investment programmes, grant funding or capital portfolios, ensuring transparent allocation, effective governance and demonstrable value for money.
Monitoring programme performance, financial delivery and investment outcomes to support effective decision making and public accountability.
Asset Management & Engineering Coordination
Coordinating maintenance programmes, engineering interventions and long-term asset management plans for complex infrastructure or asset portfolios.
Prioritising interventions using evidence, operational intelligence and risk-based approaches.
Ensuring maintenance activity contributes to sustainable asset management and long-term resilience.
Partnership Working & Delivery Management
Building trusted relationships with Welsh Government, local authorities, contractors, consultants and delivery partners.
Managing complex delivery environments involving multiple organisations, contractual arrangements and stakeholder interests.
Promoting collaboration, consistency and shared learning across delivery partners.
Operational Performance & Continuous Improvement
Developing delivery frameworks, operational standards and performance measures that support continuous improvement.
Using programme performance, operational learning and evidence to improve future delivery and investment decisions.
Leadership & Professional Judgement
Providing professional leadership across programme management, public investment and infrastructure delivery.
Exercising sound judgement when balancing organisational priorities, risk, cost, delivery and public accountability.
/*generated inline style */
Development opportunities
This role offers an exceptional opportunity to shape the investment and delivery capability of a new national public body. Combining strategic leadership across programme management, public investment, maintenance planning, engineering delivery and operational standards, you will play a defining role in creating one of Wales' most important new public organisations.
Beyond leading the Authority's investment programmes, you will influence how millions of pounds of public funding are prioritised and invested to reduce risk, strengthen resilience and protect communities across Wales. Working alongside the Director of Data & Assurance, Executive Team and Board, you will help establish the Authority as a trusted delivery organisation recognised for programme excellence, effective stewardship of public investment and long-term infrastructure resilience.
/*generated inline style */
Other vacancy related information
Establishing the Disused Tips Authority
The Disused Tips Authority (DTA) will become fully operational on 1 April 2027. We are recruiting now for a number of senior leadership roles to help shape the organisation, build its capability and culture, and prepare the Authority to assume its statutory responsibilities from day one. This is a unique opportunity to join the DTA during its formative stages and play a key role in establishing a new public body for Wales.
Important: The Disused Tips Authority is a separate organisation from the Welsh Government. Please disregard any Welsh Government guidance, policies, or recruitment information linked within this advert and refer to the accompanying Candidate Information Pack for the information relevant to this vacancy.
Employment Arrangements
As the Disused Tip Authority will not formally exist until 1 April 2027, these roles will initially be hosted by the Welsh Governments Successful candidates will be employed by the Welsh Government until 31 March 2027 while working exclusively on the establishment of the Disused Tip Authority. From 1 April 2027, employees will transfer to the new Authority as it becomes operational. Throughout this transition, continuity of employment will be maintained. Successful candidates will initially be employed on Welsh Government terms and conditions. The DTA's proposed terms and conditions are included within the Candidate Pack, and employees will have the opportunity to move onto these arrangements following the Authority's establishment.
Secondment Opportunities and Eligibility Requirements
Candidates should note that this post is also being offered as a Permanent Opportunity and a Secondment opportunity.
If you would like to apply via a Secondment the below eligibility guidance, will apply.
Eligibility Verification:
All Secondment Applications will be assessed against the below stated criteria.
You must obtain prior agreement from your employer to be released on secondment before applying. Please ensure you have line management approval.
During the secondment, you will remain on the terms, conditions, and payroll of your home organisation.
Inward secondees are not eligible for Disused Tips Authority pay awards or rewards.
Location
The Authority's headquarters will be located at Rhydycar Business Park, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 1UZ. This will be the principal place of work and where most colleagues will come together to collaborate with one another and with stakeholders.
The successful candidate will be expected to attend the office in Merthyr Tydfil regularly to support collaboration and stakeholder engagement. For full-time employees, this will typically be 2–3 days per week, with attendance requirements adjusted on a pro-rata basis for part-time employees.
As a national organisation serving communities across Wales, the DTA will also establish a number of regional hubs and collaboration spaces. Details of these locations are currently being developed and will be confirmed ahead of the Authority becoming operational. Merthyr Tydfil will remain the Authority's headquarters.
Salary
Starting salary: £61,098 per annum. The role sits within a pay range that extends to £78,449 with progression subject to the Authority's pay arrangements.
For candidates who can demonstrate exceptional experience, expertise and market value, a higher starting salary within the approved pay range may be considered.
The Disused Tips Authority has its own pay and reward arrangements, which are separate from Welsh Government pay structures. The salary quoted above reflects the Authority's pay framework and not Welsh Government pay bands or terms.
Assessment Weightings
Where more than one appointable candidate is identified, the following criteria will be applied in the order listed below:
Demonstration of our values, including trust-building and alignment with the organisation's purpose and culture.
Technical capability in programme and investment management, asset management, partnership working and continuous improvement.
Relevant experience delivering complex programmes, managing investment portfolios, and leading teams and stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes.
Desirable criteria, listed below.
Welsh language skills.
Additional Assessment Activities
Important: Technical Capabilities' are set out under Key Tasks.
A presentation on Technical Competence will be required at Interview. More information will be provided in the invitations to that stage.
In the event of a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted against the lead assessment criterion: technical capabilities. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
A degree in Programme Management, Engineering, Infrastructure, Construction Management or a related discipline, or an HNC/HND (or equivalent), or can you demonstrate significant relevant professional experience in programme management, infrastructure delivery or asset management
Our Values
We assess candidates against our TIPS values: Trust-Building, Integrity-Led, Purpose-Driven and Skilled & Collaborative. Full details of our values and culture can be found in the Candidate Information Pack.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for these opportunities. Candidates offered reserve status will remain on the reserve list until the Disused Tips Authority is established in April 2027. Those placed on the reserve list will only be considered for opportunities within the Disused Tips Authority and will not be considered for Welsh Government vacancies.
Desirable
The following qualities are desirable and will only be considered where two or more candidates achieve the same score at the application or interview stage.
It would be desirable for candidates to have demonstrable experience of leading complex programmes, capital investment or infrastructure projects within the public sector or other complex, regulated organisations, and to hold, or be working towards, membership of an appropriate professional institution, such as APM, ICE, CIHT or an equivalent professional body.
Welsh Language Ability. The Disused Tips Authority is committed to operating as a bilingual organisation and providing services in both Welsh and English. We want our workforce to reflect the communities we serve and play an active role in promoting and normalising the use of Welsh in the workplace.
Our Commitment to the Welsh Language
The Disused Tips Authority is committed to operating as a bilingual organisation and to providing services in both Welsh and English. We want our workforce to reflect the communities we serve and to play an active role in promoting and normalising the use of Welsh in the workplace. We welcome applications from Welsh speakers and from individuals who are committed to developing their Welsh language skills. We will support colleagues at all levels to learn, use and increase their confidence in Welsh as part of their day-to-day work, helping to build a truly bilingual organisation.
/*generated inline style */
Vetting level
Basic
/*generated inline style */
Number of posts
1
/*generated inline style */
Contact point for further information regarding the post
[email protected]
/*generated inline style */
