Associate Director Strategy

Ofqual is the independent qualifications regulator for England. We currently regulate 200+ awarding organisations, and approx. 11,600 certified qualifications. These include GCSEs, AS and A levels, and a broad range of vocational and technical qualifications. Regulating on behalf of students of all ages and apprentices is central to how we fulfil our statutory objectives.
For more information about the work we do please visit our website and our Careers Pages https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofqual
https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/ofqual-hub/
We are committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion throughout the organisation. We are proud of the action we are taking to support EDI and Wellbeing and welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds to support our ethos of creating a diverse culture that is reflective of both our employees and the learners we support.
To ensure that we are always recruiting and retaining a diverse mix of talent, we are particularly inviting applications from candidates who are disabled, ethnically or gender diverse, and people who identify as being part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Due to our continued commitment and focus in relation to EDI, our inclusion and fair treatment score based on the Civil Service 2022 annual people survey ranks us 4th out of 104 participating departments.
Ofqual is a rewarding, dynamic place to work. We offer employees the opportunity to develop within their role and progress through the organisation via a number of Learning and Development opportunities and activities.
We are in the top ten Civil Service departments for staff engagement which focuses on motivation and commitment to organisational goals and values. Based on the 2022 annual people survey Ofqual are ranked 9th out of 104 participating departments., The Strategy and Markets team lead the design, development, and delivery of Ofqual’s strategy and strategic initiatives. It does this through a deep understanding of risk, audiences, and the market, translated into strategic objectives and goals, and through leading and managing delivery of the strategy.
What will the post holder be doing?
This postholder will be an influential strategic thinker within Ofqual, developing and delivering the organisation’s strategy and running its annual strategy cycle. The postholder manages Ofqual’s insight, planning, and reporting functions, and will be involved in a range of strategic initiatives beyond that. The postholder is an important strategic partner of the Executive Team and for senior leaders in Ofqual., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Seeing the Big Picture
+ Making Effective Decisions
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Changing and Improving, Please ensure you demonstrate clearly, within your personal statement, how you meet these requirements as this will form a key part of your evidence when the panel is scoring your application, against the requirements of the role.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the work history and personal statement against an essential criterion. More information will be advised to shortlisted candidates.
Ofqual has adopted anonymised recruitment. This means that your name, date of birth and other personal details will not be seen by the sift panel. You’ll be asked to remove all personal details from your CV when you apply.
Applications will be screened and if evidence of plagiarism is found, your application will be withdrawn from the process. The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words.
During the interview process, this vacancy may include a short presentation and/or assessment. Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates upon invitation to interview.
We reserve the right to offer a second interview if required.
Please submit your application by 29 September 2024 at 23:55pm.
Interview dates – w/c 7 October 2024 tbc (subject to change).
We often have similar roles available at different grades. If a candidate is suitable for a similar role or at a lower grade than they applied for, we may extend an offer without the need to go through a further selection process, providing the role has comparable behaviours and essential criteria.
Ofqual works flexibly, with a hybrid office/home based working model. Employees will spend at least two to three days a week working from our office in Coventry. As Coventry will be your base location expenses for travel to the office will not be paid.
Final panel interviews will be held either in person or online. Further details will be provided at 'Invite to interview' stage.
As part of our positive action commitment, if you are from an ethnic minority background and would like to discuss the role in more detail ahead of submitting your application, please email recruitment@ofqual.gov.uk and we will arrange for a call to take place with one of our senior team.
One of our resourcing colleagues will be on hand to answer any queries you may have throughout the process.
Please be aware that expenses incurred by candidates during the recruitment process will not be reimbursed.
A reserve list may be held for up to 6 months, which the Civil Service may use to fill future suitably similar vacancies across government for candidates who are considered appointable following interview.
Reasonable adjustments
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 require assistance or need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should tell us what changes or help you might need further in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional. You should contact us at recruitment@ofqual.gov.uk to discuss your needs.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
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)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

A level 6 qualification such as an honours degree or experience demonstrating the capabilities associated with a qualification at that level

Alongside your salary of £65,539, Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) contributes £18,986 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
As a Civil Servant, you will benefit from a leading, modern employment offer which includes flexible working arrangements that support people at different stages in their lives, and pensions among the best available in the UK, as well as generous annual leave entitlements.
Other benefits you can enjoy include:
+ Organisational performance related bonus
+ Cycle-to-work scheme
+ Regular professional development
+ Health and wellbeing initiatives such as mini-medicals, flu vaccinations
+ Employee assistance programme and occupational health
+ Free eye tests and contribution towards lenses/spectacles for VDU users, if appropriate
+ Family friendly policies
+ Interest free season ticket loan
+ Access to exclusive discounts
+ A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity