Skip to main content

This job has expired

Division Head Platform Systems

Employer
Dstl
Location
Fareham & Salisbury
Salary
Salary dependent on experience - £100,000
Closing date
5 Feb 2019

View more

Job Details

As the Division Head you will lead the entire Division, setting and communicating strategic direction and ensuring the safe, secure, resilient and cost-effective delivery of Science and Technology (S&T) to time, cost and quality in order to realise benefits for Defence and Security. You will ensure effective management of capability, employees and programme and project delivery, as well as being an active member of the Dstl Executive Management Committee, working with the Executive to develop Dstl policy and strategy. 

Platform Systems 
The Platform Systems Division provides a single focus for platform-based capability covering all mission and weapons systems, and the related integrated survivability capabilities. The Division is responsible for all advice and solutions to capability gaps that require platform based solutions incorporating Air, Land, Maritime and Strategic Systems, Electro-Magnetic Protection, Integrated Survivability, Complex Weapons and Physical Sciences . This Division supports the Front Line Commands, Defence Equipment &Support and the Chief Scientific Advisor research programme. 

We are looking for someone who has: 
• An understanding of the Defence and Security arena 
• Experience of strategic change and business transformation 
• A strong track record of people management and leadership 
• Extensive Relationship management experience 

In this role you will: 
• Set and communicate a vision and the strategic direction for the Division. 
• Recommend and contribute to the development of corporate strategies (e.g. Corporate/Business plans). 
• Ensure the development and maturation of supplier relationships matched against near-term delivery and future capability requirements, through effective partnership working and contract management. 
• Implement Dstl's policies and processes and ensuring compliance with the Management System. 
• Direct line management of the Division Programme Leader, the Capability Leader and the Business Manager. 
• Create a positive working environment which supports diversity and enables staff to excel. 
• Maintain a highly visible presence within the Division and promote high levels of staff engagement. 

Recommend and deliver the Platform Systems Business Unit Agreement, encompassing: 
• The effective management and mitigation of risk. 
• Delivery of the Division’s Strategic Objectives along with programmes and projects to time, cost and quality. 
• Supporting other Divisions in jointly achieving Dstl’s strategic objectives and performance targets – promoting joint working and the ‘One Dstl Team’ ethos. 
• Delivering the Division capability development and strategic workforce plans to ensure the availability of appropriate future capability (people, relationships, infrastructure, knowledge, licences to practice). 
• Ensuring the Division meets financial performance requirements. 
• Balancing customer, capability and business performance demands. 
• Leading and championing the corporate strategy. 
• Monitoring progress against the Division Agreement and Strategy through effective governance. 
• Specific delegations formally allocated by Dstl Executive or others accountable e.g. Information Asset Owner (IAO); Duty Holder. 

Qualifications 
Desirable 
• Formal business qualification (e.g. MBA, business or management-focussed degree). 
• Practitioner-level or equivalent in Portfolio, Programme and Project Management 

Experience 
Essential 
A career path that can demonstrate effective delivery of: 
• Strategic change and business transformation. 
• Influencing stakeholders at all levels 
• Risk and Safety Management. 
• People Management and Leadership. 
• Financial Management. 
• Building and maintaining effective relationships across organisational boundaries. 

Skills 
Essential 
• Appreciation of the underpinning Science and Technology disciplines required to deliver the capability and programmes. 
• Budgeting and resource allocation. 
• Expert understanding of the Defence and Security context and the relevant customer environments. 

Desirable 
• Understanding and appreciation of Dstl Programme and Project Management. 
• Understanding and appreciation of Dstl’s business model. 

Please see the attached role profile for further information.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

  • Seeing the Big Picture
  • Leadership
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together
  • Developing Self and Others
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

  • In no more that 250 words provide your reasons for applying for this role.
  • In no more that 250 words describe why you feel you are suitable for the role and what you can bring to it in terms of your leadership skills, knowledge and experience.
  • In no more than 250 words tell us what you think are the main challenges of the role and how you would address these.

Benefits Pensions

Civil Service pension schemes may be available for successful candidates.

Benefits

We'll provide a great range of benefits including; 
• Flexible working 
• Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks full pay followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid, and paternity leave of 2 weeks full pay 
• Chartership and accreditation support 
• Pension 
• Generous annual leave 
• A competitive salary 
• Excellent learning and development 
• Onsite gyms and restaurants 
• Staff discounts for high street and online shopping, restaurants and days out. 

Things you need to know Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Candidates will be required to undertake pre-interview assessment which will include a 
Personality Questionnaire 

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

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.

Eligibility

Candidates in their probationary period are not eligible to apply for vacancies within this department.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Company

The Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is an executive agency of the Ministry of Defence. We bring together the top minds in government, industry and academia to keep our armed forces and the UK safe.

Our values are at the heart everything we do: we are innovative, collaborative and impactful.

There’s a lot more to us than white lab coats.

We also have cyber labs, wargaming teams, engineering workshops, trial areas and collaborative working spaces. Of course, we do have science labs too. We need them to do the vital research and sensitive project work that simply can’t be done anywhere else – and we are hiring!

At Dstl, you can learn and grow within one of our divisions (or experience multiple) with opportunities available within:

  • Cyber and Information Systems,
  • Platform Systems,
  • Exploration,
  • Counter-terrorism and Security,
  • Chemical, Biological and Radiological or
  • within one of our enabling divisions.

Interesting fact…not all of our employees have PHDs, Masters, or Degrees because we equally value experience and the right mindset. So, if you don’t have higher level qualifications we welcome your application and if you want to, we can help you to obtain qualifications to advance your career even more.

Already have the qualifications? We want to hear from you too!

As well as our on-going recruitment for experienced hires, our emerging talent recruitment calendar happens every year.  Our emerging talent opportunities are award winning, from being voted a top graduate and apprentice employer to having our own apprentices winning awards such as the prestigious Rising Star award.

At Dstl everyone is encouraged to thrive, succeed and achieve their ambitions, whatever their background, circumstances, experiences, or characteristics.

We achieve amazing things when we work together. We work hard to make sure everyone can be themselves at work, be heard, and reach their full potential.

We listen and share experiences through our active Employee Support Networks. They are run by our people and supported by our leaders.

Apply now to become part of the science, or the support behind it!

Company info
Telephone
01980 613000

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalised job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert