Head of Enterprise Performance

You will join the Data and Analysis for Delivery (DA4D) Division in Portfolio Directorate in Defras Strategy and Change Director General Group.

DA4D is a team of 20 performance, risk, digital and data professionals. Were a fun, ambitious and welcoming team working to put quality data, information, advice and support at the heart of how Defra delivers outcomes. We are one of the core strategic teams helping Defra deliver some of governments most ambitious and exciting work and outcomes: water, food, land and nature are the infrastructure upon which everything else depends and the foundation for our economic way of life and a thriving farming sector, clean water, productive seas and reduced trade barriers with the EU are all contributions to a growing economy. We are also a national security and resilience department leading work on biosecurity, flood resilience, food security, protection from environmental hazards and emergency preparedness which are all central to keeping the people of this country safe.

As Head of Enterprise Performance, you will sit at the heart of Defra's strategic centre, where you will advise and support teams, Directors, Directors General, and the Permanent Secretary on the extent to which Defra is on track to achieve its outcomes. This is a moment of change for Defra: you will be responsible for a step-change in Defras ability to know the extent to which we are on track, instrumental in building the performance capabilities Defra needs to do this and to course correct when needed.

You will be an experienced analytical leader who is happy engaging with people and teams. Youll be at home leading ambitious analytical work and know how to lead the change needed in the business. Youll know how policy delivery works in practice, and with that knowledge and experience, youll help policy delivery teams improve how theyre monitoring and using performance data. You will provide great advice and will lead teams and the organisation through acting on that advice, improving outcome delivery as a result.

You will do so by:

• leading efforts to improve the monitoring and measurement of Defras outcomes and corporate functions;
• Using data and analysis to identify and take collaborative action to resolve performance issues, and
• build performance capability across the wider organisation, whilst
• ensuring high quality published performance contributions to the annual fiscal, accountability and governance cycle

You will shape the performance conversation at the most strategic level and use your analytical expertise to identify and exploit the most appropriate data and information, so that were measuring what needs to be delivered and delivering it as a result. You will derive performance insight and support enterprise-level performance management from that data and information, and from the relationships that you build and cultivate across outcomes delivery teams.

You will oversee the development and consistency of a performance measurement framework across the department, working to align frameworks and approaches across the wider Defra group where possible and desirable. In doing so you will build communities and capability across teams to embed performance management where it matters. You will collaborate with analytical (and policy?)colleagues embedded in outcome and delivery areas right across the department, working in matrix ways, to support them to identify and improve performance measures.

To achieve all this, you will empower and motivate a small analytical team while building coalitions and capabilities in the wider business through which you will improve performance measurement? at scale.

Does this sound interesting but like you might not be quite right? Please read on and consider applying! Were looking for applicants from people with diverse experience and perspectives.

You will be able to demonstrate the below skills and experience:

• You will have the ability to develop a multidisciplinary analytical team to deliver high-quality analysis at pace, and using the analysis to drive change in an organisation;
• You will influence colleagues at all levels of seniority, identifying capability needs and supporting capability improvement
• You will be an inclusive and collaborative leader. Youll be able to support and guide your team, looking after their wellbeing and leading them through change
• Deep understanding and a proven track record of using data and analysis in decision-making and using data and analysis to influence senior officials.
• Excellent strategic thinking and data communication skills, including effective presentation of complex, incomplete or ambiguous information for senior audiences
• Experience of automating analysis and/or developing data dashboards, and data visualisation.

Applicants must be either members of the Government analyst professions (Government Economic Service, Government Statistical Service, Government Social Research, Government Operational Research Service) or meet the entry requirements for one of these professions.

If you are not currently a member of a government analytical function (for instance, if you are applying as someone outside of the civil service), please familiarise yourself with one or more of:

Membership - Government Economic Service - GOV.UK

Joining the GSS and GSG Government Analysis Function

Government Social Research Membership and Eligibility Guidance - GOV.UK

Government Operational Research Service - Badging Process - GOV.UK