Director of Education Funding Delivery and Oversight

The DfE is supported by around 8,000 staff across multiple sites, and it works with 13 Arm's Length Bodies. These bodies play a critical role in the administration of our funding, the delivery of services, and the provision of regulation and advice across the sector.

We are responsible for:

• teaching and learning for children in the early years and in primary schools.
• teaching and learning for young people in secondary schools.
• teaching, learning and training for young people in further education.
• teaching and learning for students in higher education.
• supporting professionals who work in our sectors.
• helping all children and young people, including those who are disadvantaged or with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), to achieve and thrive.
• making sure that local services protect and support children.

You can find out further information on our responsibilities, priorities, who we are and corporate information on GOV.UK About us - Department for Education - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Want to Learn More?

We’re hosting a virtual candidate information session where you can:

• Meet the Chief Operating Officer, Tony Foot
• Ask questions about the role
• Learn more about what the role involves
• Explore development and progression opportunities

Online via Microsoft Teams on 8 September at 13:00 (60 minute session)

To receive an invitation, please email: SCS.Recruitment@education.gov.uk

The role and key responsibilities:

• Delivering accurate, timely and resilient education funding – over £90 billion a year to around 20,000 schools, colleges and other providers.
• Leading transformation of the Department’s funding service – modernising digital systems, building operational capability and simplifying delivery across policy, finance, digital, data and operational teams. This includes SRO leadership of the Department’s Grant Transformation Programme to radically simplify and align grants.
• Stewardship of public money – delivering the financial control function for the education sector. This includes setting key frameworks, proportionate controls, effective counter-fraud leadership and delivering clear assurance that funding is used effectively and for its intended purpose. The role involves maintaining confidence through ministerial, parliamentary and public scrutiny.
• Strengthening financial resilience – working with sector leaders to anticipate and address financial risks.
• Influential leadership across government and education – shaping departmental priorities, bridging policy and operations, and building trusted relationships with senior leaders across Government, ministers, Mayoral Strategic Authorities and school and college leaders.
• Leading a capable, inclusive and high-performing directorate – inspiring and energetically leading approximately 350 colleagues, including finance, counter-fraud and operational delivery professionals.

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)

If you would like to apply for this position, please complete the Civil Service Jobs application form by clicking the "apply now" button at the top or bottom of this advert. Applications will be accepted until 23:55 21 September 2026.

Stage 1 – Application

At sift stage, you will be assessed on your Experience in line with the essential skills listed in the person specification section of the job advert.

To apply for this role, please provide:

1. 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. Your CV should be no more than two pages.

2 .A Statement of Suitability of up to 1,250 words, detailing how you meet the essential criteria set out in this pack, with reference to specific examples and evidence. Should we receive a high number of applications, then we will sift on the first two essential criteria.

Failure to submit both documents will mean the panel only has 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.

Stage 2 - Interview

Depending on the number and strength of applications, the selection process may include selecting a longlist of candidates for initial assessment interview before shortlisting.

Longlisted candidates will be required to:

1.Take part in an initial assessment interview on Monday 12 October 2026.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to:

1.Complete online numerical and verbal reasoning assessments.

2.Complete a staff engagement exercise which will take place on Monday 19 October 2026.

3.Take part in a formal in-person interview in London on Tuesday 27 October 2026, which will include:

• A presentation (details will be provided to shortlisted candidates).
• Interview questions based on the Essential Criteria to further assess your experience.

As part of the recruitment process, we may request references.

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

The successful candidate will be subject to social media and due diligence checks prior to appointment.

The Department for Education does not cover the cost of travel to your interview or assessment unless otherwise stated.

All communications will be electronic therefore it is vitally important that you check your Civil Service Jobs account regularly, as well as your spam/junk email folder.

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

Important Information

If you fail to complete the tests before the deadline, your application will be withdrawn. Guidance will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are untimed, administered via Civil Service Jobs, and applicant guidance is available during the test and online on GOV.UK Online Tests guidance.

Applicants must complete the test on their own, without help, and Departments reserve the right to retest applicants under supervised conditions at later stages of the selection process. Doing this can provide reassurance to recruiters who are concerned about the authenticity of one or more test results.

Please ensure you allow yourself sufficient time to complete both assessments and submit your application before the advertised deadline.

Reasonable adjustments & test accessibility:

See our reasonable adjustments guide for candidates (online tests), or some example case studies, to act as a guide. You can use these to help you decide whether to ask for help or take the test without help.

More information about online tests can be found here: Preparing for the Civil Service Verbal and Numerical tests - GOV.UK. You will also find practice tests on this page if you would find them helpful prior to completing the live test.

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.

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

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 6 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.