Deputy Director – East of England

The Deputy Director will play a critical role in leading the Department’s work within the East of England region, working as part of the regional senior leadership team to improve outcomes for children, families and learners.

They will be responsible for strategic leadership and delivery across the region, ensuring effective implementation of Government Priorities in SEND reform, Children’s Social Care reform, school standards, the school system and trust regulation, supporting the senior leadership team to ensure delivery is integrated, high-performing and responsive to local needs.

The Deputy Director will operate as a senior system leader, shaping how national policy is delivered locally, leading complex multi-disciplinary delivery through others, and taking ownership of significant risks and performance challenges.

Please note that regular travel (up to two days a week) to schools, local authorities and other partners in the region is an expected part of this role.

Strategic Leadership and Delivery

• Own and lead delivery of major elements of the government’s Opportunity Mission across the region.
• Translate Government priorities into clear regional strategies and delivery plans.
• Oversee multiple interdependent programmes, ensuring alignment, pace and impact.
• Identify risks to delivery and intervene decisively where outcomes are off track.

Regional System Leadership

• Operate as a senior system leader within the region, understanding local context and shaping performance.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders including Mayoral Strategic Authorities, local authorities, trusts and sector leaders.
• Bring partners together to solve complex system challenges and drive collective improvement.
• Represent the department externally as a senior and credible leader.

Performance, Risk and Intervention

• Monitor system performance and identify emerging risks using evidence and insight.
• Lead intervention activity in underperforming areas to drive rapid improvement.
• Ensure robust governance, reporting and escalation to the Regional Director, Director General and Ministers.

Leadership of People and Delivery

• Act as a visible senior leader modelling Civil Service values and behaviours.
• Demonstrate thought leadership and bring people together to solve complex problems.
• Lead delivery through senior teams (G6/G7), creating clarity, pace and accountability.
• Set stretching objectives and actively manage performance.
• Build high-performing, inclusive teams and develop leadership capability.
• Shape organisational structures to best deliver priorities.

Strategy and Corporate Contribution

• Contribute to regional and national strategy, ensuring policy reflects delivery reality.
• Provide high-quality advice and briefing to Ministers and senior leaders.
• Lead or contribute to cross-regional or national priorities.
• Play an active role in the regional senior leadership team.
• Support wider departmental and cross-government priorities.

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

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Strengths and Experience.

Application

To apply for this role, you need to complete an online application via the Civil Service Jobs portal. Applications will be accepted until 23:55 19th October 2026.

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years
• A Statement of Suitability (no longer than 2 sides or 1,000 words) detailing ‘why should we consider you for this role’ (up to 500 words) and why you have chosen the Department for Education (up to 500 words). You can choose to outline any further information you believe is relevant for the role or further demonstrates your suitability for the role.

Failure to submit both documents will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification.

If you are unable to apply online, please contact scs.recruitment@education.gov.uk in the first instance. Please visit our career site for further information on the Civil Service application process.

Please note the following:

• we cannot accept applications submitted after the closing date;
• applications will be assessed solely on the documentation provided;
• you will be subject to social media checks and references for this role;
• please refer to the advert and checklist above to ensure you have provided everything requested;
• applications will be acknowledged upon receipt;
• feedback will only be given to candidates unsuccessful following interview

Selection Process

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to:

I. Take part in a Staff Engagement Panel (which typically takes up to 1 hour to complete), to be held week commencing 2nd November 2026.

II. A formal panel interview in the week commencing 16th November in person in the DfE London office. Candidates will be asked to prepare a presentation for the interview (further information will be shared with shortlisted candidates) and they will be asked questions to further assess their Experience and Strengths using the Civil Service Strengths Dictionary.

As part of the recruitment process shortlisted candidates may be invited to an informal ministerial conversation.

Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment.

Please note that at interview stage we may ask if you have any conflicts of interest to declare.

Candidates with disabilities

As an employer we are committed to promoting and protecting the physical and mental health and wellbeing of all our colleagues and applicants. The Department for Education uses the Disability Confident scheme (formerly the Guaranteed Interview scheme) to help widen employment opportunities for disabled people. Applicants with disabilities who meet the essential criteria, as stated in the person specification, the Civil Service nationality requirements and indicate they are applying under the Disability Confident scheme will be guaranteed an interview.

Employment scheme for Veterans

The ‘Great Place to Work for Veterans scheme’ makes it easier for veterans to join the Civil Service. If you opt into the scheme and meet the minimum criteria, you’ll progress to the next stage for most roles – whether that’s an interview or an online test.

For an accessible version of the candidate pack, please contact scs.recruitment@education.gov.uk

Other Information

We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFE@education.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

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 applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs

Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.

Reasonable adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Department of Education via scs.recruitment@education.gov.uk soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.