How to apply:
Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's qualifications, skills, and potential fit within our organisation.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
The selection process for this role will be:
Stage 1: Sift of CV and personal statement
Stage 2: Interview & Presentation
You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage.
Stage 1: Sift
At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:
Experience you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (1250-word count).
Please provide evidence of your Experience of the following:
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Strong strategic leadership experience within software development, with the ability to define and implement organisational software development strategies that support the delivery of reliable, secure and user-focused digital services.
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Demonstrable experience of having developed and built software at enterprise scale and been in a senior technical position with exposure to the full software development lifecycle.
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A strong technical understanding of software delivery practices, tooling and engineering approaches, combined with the ability to guide teams in adopting scalable and sustainable software development.
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Proven ability to lead, influence and develop professional capability across teams, fostering a collaborative and quality-focused culture.
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Strong communication, leadership and decision-making skills, with the ability to represent the organisation, provide expert advice and respond effectively to emerging risks, operational challenges and evolving technology landscapes.
The sift will take place week commencing 6th July 2026.
Stage 2: Interview
At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:
Behaviours
- Leadership
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Manging a Quality Service
Technical :
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Development Process Optimisation (Level: Expert)
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Modern Development Standards (Level: Expert)
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Systems Design (Level: Expert)
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User Focus (Level: Practitioner)
You will also be required to create and deliver a presentation to assess the Leadership Behaviour and elements of the required experience. Guidance will be provided if you are invited to interview.
The interviews will take place week commencing Monday 20th July 2026.
This interview will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams or in person at our Bristol office (Berkeley House Croydon Street, Bristol BS5 0DA ). Further information will be provided if you are invited for interview.
You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site .
Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change.
Further information on the selection process
Feedback on your application can only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
We will also hold a 12 reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for. You can read more about our reserve lists here.
Should we receive a large number of applications, we may invite a shortlist of the highest performing candidates to interview. This means that some applications that meet the required standard could be placed on hold after the sift and invited to interview if the vacant position(s) remain unfilled. You will be notified if your application is being put on hold once the sift has been completed.
Appointments for this position will be made in order of merit. If you are successful in the selection process but there are no further available posts for the advertised role, you may be contacted to discuss an offer for a lower graded role (with similar experience and responsibility requirements).
If you are unsuccessful in the selection process, your application may be considered for a lower graded position if your demonstrated skills and experience meet the requirements of the alternative position. Candidates will be considered in order of merit.
AI Tools and Platforms
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use
This interview will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams or in person at our Bristol office (Berkeley House Croydon Street, Bristol BS5 0DA ) or Nottingham Office (1 Unity Square, Queensbridge Road, Nottingham NG2 1AY), based on locality/preference. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.
Reasonable Adjustments
As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
Complete the Assistance required section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Document Accessibility
This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert or the information on our website, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Further Information
For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.
If your application is successful but you have been dismissed from the Civil Service, your application could be removed at the pre-employment checking stage depending on the nature of the dismissal.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.
Pre-employment Checking
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
All external applicants and current employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) will be required to undergo a Social Media Check. A Social Media Check is a review of your publicly available online activity, typically across platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and others. The purpose is to identify any public posts or content that could raise concerns for employers, such as:
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Hate speech or discriminatory behaviour
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Threats or acts of violence
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Illegal activity or substance misuse
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Sexually explicit material
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Extremist views or affiliations
Importantly, this check does not involve hacking into your accounts or accessing private messages. It only considers content you have chosen to make public. Employers use this kind of screening to help ensure their workplace remains safe, inclusive, and aligned with company values. Its not about judging your personality or lifestyle - its about checking for potential red flags that might affect the role or company culture. If you have questions or concerns about the social media check, we would be happy to explain in more detail whats being looked at and how your data is handled securely and fairly.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
