Head of Operator Performance Assessment

We recognise the challenges that people with protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.
Would you like an opportunity to play a key role with contributing towards the overall improvement of rail operations?
Do you enjoy collaborating with industry partners?
If so, we have a fantastic opportunity to join our Operator Performance Assessment (OPA) team, and we would love to hear from you., The Department for Transport (DfT) assesses train operator’s performance through a combination of quantified targets and for more subjective aspects, through a balanced scorecard regime. These measures are specified in the agreements it has with both private and public sector train operators to deliver rail services. The performance targets are set through the agreement of train operators’ business plans.
Our team is responsible for the scorecard assessment process, and setting performance in conjunction with the Department’s commercial and policy teams. It is vital that these processes fairly reflect the level of challenge facing each individual operator, are transparent and consistent between operators, and ensure that there is a clear audit trail of the value that taxpayers are receiving.
As Head of Operator Performance Assessment, you will lead our OPA team which consisting of 3 - 6 staff. The team provide the framework, process and support for the Department’s contract management teams to complete the scorecard assessment evaluation and in agreeing quantified targets measures.
In this role, you will work closely with market teams, policy teams, rail operators and their owning groups to continue to improve the effectiveness of processes.
If you would like to find out more about what it's like to work at DfT Rail, please click here.
Your key responsibilities will include:
+ Conducting a review of and implementing changes to the current Operational Performance Assessment regime, considering the new government’s intention to bring train operations within the public sector.
+ Reviewing the incentives provided to private train operators to support an effective transition into the public sector.
+ Working with DfT policy teams, market teams and external advisers to ensure target setting information is promptly available for the DfT market teams and operators for the annual business planning and target setting process.
+ Managing the programme of operator scorecard assessments, ensuring appropriate and practical guidance is given to operators and market teams.
+ Providing expert advice on the performance assessment process as part of contract management, supporting teams within the Department in queries over consistent application, and specification and award of new rail contracts.
+ Managing and overseeing adviser contracts and budgets to support target setting and evaluation activities.
+ Developing an outward-facing, confident and appropriately skilled and resourced OPA team that best meets the need of the Department in managing train operator performance.
+ Line management responsibilities for two Grade 7 colleagues and leading the OPA team., A minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace, although requirements to attend other locations for official business, or carry out detached duty in another DfT workplace, will also count towards this level of attendance.
Occasional travel to other DfT offices may be required.

Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Delivering at Pace
+ Making Effective Decisions
+ Working Together
+ Leadership, When considering your experience, please tailor your CV and personal statement to provide evidence of the following:
+ Experience of planning and delivering complicated contractual and/or commercial projects, focusing on assessment of contract performance.
+ Experience of delivering new processes or a new project in a multi-stakeholder environment.
+ Experience of managing advisers for contract and budget management.
The sift is due to take place from 12/12/2024.
Interviews/assessments are likely to be held from week commencing 06/01/2025.
We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.
The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include:
+ An interview and a presentation exercise.
Interviews will be conducted face to face at our three locations of London, Leeds and Birmingham. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.
You’re encouraged to become familiar with the role profile, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within.
Reasonable Adjustments
As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes., 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.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
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).
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You will have previous project delivery experience, particularly in a contractual or commercial environment.
You will be a motivational leader to support your team to deliver quality outcomes in a high-profile environment.
You will display excellent stakeholder management and interpersonal skills, with the credibility to influence and challenge effectively to gain consensus to support decision making. You will confidently engage at senior level to build trusted relationships with Train Operators, technical advisers, and senior government officials.
You will have the capability to deliver at pace in a challenging area where complex contractual, legal, commercial and stakeholder issues come together.
Once in role, you will be required to complete the Contract Management Capability Programme (CMCP) and achieve the accreditation at Foundation level.

Alongside your salary of £67,313, Department for Transport contributes £19,500 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. We offer generous annual leave, attractive pension options, flexible working, inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance.
Find out more about what it's like working at the Department for Transport.