Online Marketplaces Programme Manager

About OPSS
Do you care about the safety of products and want to protect people and places? Can we use your skills, knowledge and experience to enable UK business to thrive? If the answer is yes, then we would like to hear from you!
We are the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), part of the Department for Business & Trade (Previously the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy). We are here for the purpose of making regulation work to deliver real world impact. Regulation is a powerful Government tool to address market failures, influence behaviour and promote positive action. Crafted and delivered well, regulation can be an enabler of growth, innovation and efficiency.
Since early 2018 we have been building a positive and creative team that enjoys a position of influence and respect within an organisation that continues to grow, most recently with the addition of construction products regulation planned.
Our primary purpose is to protect people and places from product-related harm, ensuring consumers and businesses can buy and sell products with confidence.
Further information can be found on our website here.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. We embrace diversity and promote equality of opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (DCS) for people with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
We are Inclusive
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 recognise how important inclusivity is to achieve the best outcomes. We hope to attract applications from all underrepresented groups.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation if required to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment., The Online Strategy Team
Do you want to deal with a huge and diverse sector that is increasingly becoming a part of our day-to-day life? Join our dynamic and innovative Online Strategy Team and help ensure that consumers across the UK are safe shopping online. As part of the cutting-edge Online and Supply Chain Enforcement (OSCE) directorate, we are revolutionising the regulation of supply chains, from ports and borders to online marketplaces, fulfilment houses, and third-party sellers.
The Changing Marketplace
The online shopping landscape has experienced unprecedented growth, with millions of consumers turning to digital platforms for their purchasing needs. This surge has brought both opportunities and challenges, making it critically important to ensure that online marketplaces are safe and compliant.
As the Online Marketplace Programme Manager, you will play a vital role in navigating this rapidly evolving environment, ensuring that consumers can shop with confidence and businesses can thrive.
The significance of this programme is underscored by its recognition as a high ministerial priority. This reflects not just its critical role in maintaining safe and compliant online marketplaces, but also its broader impact on national consumer protection and fair-trading practices across the UK.
Who are we looking for?
We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Programme Manager to lead our high-impact Online Marketplace Programme. This is a flagship initiative for our team and a high-level priority across OPSS and beyond. Your leadership will be pivotal in ensuring that the diverse and rapidly evolving field of online marketplaces in the UK remains compliant and safe, now and in the future.
In this role, you will set and oversee governance arrangements, establish and measure robust deliverables, and collaborate closely with the Online Strategy team and OPSS leadership to shape and implement our strategic regulatory approach to online marketplaces and e-commerce. You will also collaborate with stakeholders across OPSS, the government, and externally to drive the programme’s success.
This is a unique and exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of a high-profile regulatory programme that is transforming the UK’s online shopping landscape., + Programme Management: Lead and ensure cohesion across projects, track delivery of outputs and benefits, develop a comprehensive programme plan, manage dependencies, and proactively identify and resolve risks and issues.
+ Governance Framework: Develop and support a robust governance framework that provides assurance, which includes support to the Online Strategy Board, Online Strategy Operational Board, and work-stream groups.
+ Project Coordination: Drive the initiation, support, and coordination of projects within allocated budgets, ensuring timely and effective delivery.
+ Flexible Support: Provide versatile support across the Programme, including project management, close monitoring, and support of work-stream projects.
+ Line Management: Inspire and manage allocated staff, including interns and placement students, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment.
+ Analysis and Reporting: Prepare and present high-quality analysis and reports to support strategic decision-making at leadership levels.
+ Monitoring and Evaluation: Collaborate with the monitoring and evaluation team to integrate analysis into the programme and ensure the provision of required data.
+ Transparent Communications: Ensure key information, updates, and guidance related to the Programme are developed and shared in an accessible and engaging manner.
+ Strategic Alignment: Act as a role model for collaboration and continuous improvement, supporting the Online Strategy Lead in ensuring the Programme informs the strategy and vice versa.
+ Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with key and senior stakeholders across OPSS, the government, and externally to ensure the programme’s success and alignment with broader regulatory goals.
+ Foster a culture of excellence and innovation: leading by example and inspiring others to achieve their best., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Managing a Quality Service
+ Changing and Improving
+ Seeing the Big Picture
+ Delivering at Pace, Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception.
Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.
During the initial sift, we will evaluate your application based on your experience.
To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application:
+ CV: Provide a detailed CV outlining your career history, including key responsibilities and achievements. Make sure your employment history aligns with the essential criteria and explain any employment gaps in the last 2 years. The CV should not exceed 2 A4 pages.
+ Personal Statement: Submit a Personal Statement of up to 750 words explaining how your skills, qualities, and experience make you suitable for the role. Refer to the essential criteria in your explanation.
It is likely that the sift will take place 1-2 weeks after the closing date and interviews 3-5 weeks after the closing date though this is subject to change.
In the event of a large number of applications, an initial sift may be conducted based on the lead criteria: Personal Statement. Candidates who pass this stage may either proceed to a full sift or directly to the assessment/interview.
Interview
At the interview stage, we will assess you against specific Behaviours and Strengths.
The Behaviours we will assess include:
+ Managing a Quality Service
+ Changing and Improving
+ Seeing the Big Picture
+ Delivering at Pace
Strengths questions will evaluate your natural, unprepared responses and reactions. The assessed strengths will be communicated to you at the time of the interview.
You will be required to provide a short presentation during the interview. Details for this will be provided to candidates selected for the interview.
If selected for an interview, please note that alternative times and dates may not always be available. We will try to accommodate scheduling requests on a case-by-case basis.
Please ensure you regularly check your emails for updates from us.
Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
Reasonable Adjustments
We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment:
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process.
Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service at DBTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Candidate Support
You may want to join a virtual Candidate Support Session. These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview.
Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department.
Further Information:
+ A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve Lists will be for each location and appointments made in merit order based on location preferences.
+ Any move to the Department for Business and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments.
+ The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.
+ 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. Any applicant who has 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.
+ Terms and Conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
+ Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.
+ This role may be considered as a secondment opportunity. Please reach out to the hiring manager listed at the bottom of this advert to discuss.
+ Candidates that do not quite meet the standard for this role may be offered a position at a lower grade.
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 circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Feedback
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.

+ Possession of a professional qualification in Project/Programme Management at RCA level 6 or its equivalent such as APM PMQ.
+ Solid understanding of Programme and Project Management methodologies, including governance.
+ Excellent communication skills: both written and verbal, with the ability to summarise and articulate clearly with stakeholders at all levels.
+ Strong organisational skills, diligent attention to detail, and presentation abilities.
+ Ability to challenge assumptions and ensure decisions are strategy driven.
+ A team player with the ability to collaborate and to problem-solve independently.
+ Ability to drive delivery at pace, manage priorities, and maintain momentum.
+ Ability to adapt confidently to changing circumstances and directions.
+ Capability to engage in constructive discussions at all levels.
Desirable
Knowledge of e-commerce regulation and general regulation.
While knowledge of e-commerce regulation and general regulation is desirable, it is not essential. If you possess the qualifications and skills listed above and can quickly absorb the details; we encourage you to apply., Possession of a professional qualification in Project/Programme Management at RCA level 6 or its equivalent.

Alongside your salary of £55,836, Department for Business and Trade contributes £16,175 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ Learning and development tailored to your role
+ An environment with flexible working options
+ A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
+ A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) 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.
Please refer to the attached candidate pack for further information on our benefits.