Service Delivery Lead – Home Office | £62,732–£69,006 | Grade 7
HOME OFFICE SERVICE DELIVERY LEAD JOB
The Home Office is recruiting 4 Service Delivery Leads to lead the delivery and performance management of asylum accommodation contracts across several UK locations.
This is a permanent Grade 7 Civil Service position offering £62,732–£69,006 per year, with full-time and part-time working options.
JOB OVERVIEW
Job title: Service Delivery Lead
Employer: Home Office
Reference: 476718
Salary: £62,732–£69,006 per year
Grade: Grade 7
Contract: Permanent
Job type: Operational Delivery
Working pattern: Full-time or part-time
Vacancies: 4
Closing date: 4 September 2026 at 11:55 pm
JOB LOCATIONS
- Cardiff
- Durham
- Glasgow
- Leeds
- Liverpool
- Middlesbrough
- Peterborough
- Salford
- Sheffield
- Southport
- Stoke-on-Trent
Candidates can select up to two preferred locations and should only select locations they are prepared to travel to.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The position sits within the Home Office’s Asylum Support, Accommodation and Resettlement business area.
The successful candidate will lead asylum accommodation contract delivery, manage provider performance, oversee contract governance and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
This is a senior leadership role involving operational delivery, contract management, performance improvement, stakeholder engagement and strategic decision-making.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead delivery and performance management of asylum accommodation contracts.
- Hold providers accountable against KPIs and contractual requirements.
- Oversee formal contract governance.
- Use data, dashboards and management information to improve provider performance.
- Maximise bedspace utilisation and drive continuous improvement.
- Work with commercial colleagues to achieve value for money.
- Manage operational risks and performance issues.
- Build relationships with Local Authorities, Health, Police, MPs and other stakeholders.
- Provide briefings and progress updates to senior stakeholders.
- Represent the Home Office in internal and external meetings.
- Lead and manage the Service Delivery team.
- Conduct performance reviews and support staff development.
- Work with Risk and Assurance colleagues to improve contract performance.
- Ensure customer needs remain central to service delivery.
WORKING PATTERN
The role is available full-time.
Part-time working is also available, subject to business requirements, with a minimum requirement of 5 days / 32 hours per week.
Where business needs allow, some roles may combine office and home-based working. Employees are generally expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office under the stated non-contractual arrangement.
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
Applicants should have:
- CIPS Level 4–6 or be studying towards the qualification, or hold GCF Commercial Practitioner/Expert accreditation.
- Experience leading contract management within a service provision environment.
- Experience managing external supplier performance against KPIs and contractual requirements.
- Strong leadership skills.
- Ability to work in fast-paced and politically sensitive environments.
- Ability to manage changing priorities and competing demands.
- Strong senior stakeholder management skills.
- Confidence to challenge, negotiate and deliver difficult messages.
- A strong customer-focused approach.
- Understanding of vulnerable service users’ needs.
- Experience delivering continuous improvement and organisational change.
- Ability to work independently in a distance-managed contract or service delivery environment.
DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE
- Understanding of the Data Protection Act and GDPR.
- Knowledge of change management principles.
- Understanding of process analysis.
- Experience with benefits identification.
- Knowledge of business continuity.
- Awareness of Freedom of Information Act requirements.
CIVIL SERVICE BEHAVIOURS
Candidates will be assessed against:
- Leadership
- Managing a Quality Service
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
Evidence is specifically requested for the Leadership behaviour.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants will submit:
- CV
- Personal Statement – maximum 750 words
- Leadership Behaviour evidence – maximum 250 words
Your CV should demonstrate your career history, skills, experience and key achievements.
Your Personal Statement should demonstrate how your experience meets the essential criteria.
SELECTION PROCESS
Application deadline: 4 September 2026
Sift: 8 September 2026
The sift will assess the CV, Personal Statement and Leadership Behaviour.
Interview: 29 September 2026
Successful candidates will be invited to a Microsoft Teams interview assessing behaviours and strengths.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
Salary: £62,732–£69,006 per year
Benefits include:
- Civil Service pension with 28.97% employer contribution.
- In-year reward scheme.
- 25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days with service.
- 8 public holidays.
- One additional privilege day.
- Potential hybrid working where business needs allow.
- Home Office employee benefits package.
SECURITY AND VETTING
Successful candidates must meet the required security standards before appointment.
Checks may include:
- Criminal record checks.
- UK security vetting.
- Baseline personnel security checks.
- Additional pre-employment checks depending on the role and applicant.
NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS
The vacancy is broadly open to eligible:
- UK nationals.
- Republic of Ireland nationals.
- Commonwealth nationals with the right to work in the UK.
- Eligible EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic and Liechtenstein nationals and qualifying family members with applicable EUSS status.
- Certain individuals with limited or indefinite leave to remain.
- Eligible Turkish nationals and qualifying family members who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service.
Applicants should check the official nationality rules before applying.
VISA SPONSORSHIP / CERTIFICATE OF SPONSORSHIP
The vacancy does not state that Certificate of Sponsorship or Skilled Worker visa sponsorship is available.
Applicants requiring immigration sponsorship should confirm their eligibility and sponsorship position directly before applying.
AI AND YOUR APPLICATION
The Home Office permits AI tools to support applications, but all examples and statements must be truthful, factually accurate and based on your own experience.
Misrepresentation or plagiarism may result in an application being withdrawn.
RESERVE LIST
A reserve list may be maintained for up to 12 months.
Being placed on the reserve list does not guarantee a job offer.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
This opportunity may suit experienced professionals in:
- Contract management
- Service delivery
- Supplier management
- Operational management
- Commercial management
- Public-sector operations
- Performance management
- Stakeholder management
- Team leadership
- Continuous improvement
HOW TO APPLY
Vacancy: Service Delivery Lead
Employer: Home Office
Reference: 476718
Salary: £62,732–£69,006
Closing date: 4 September 2026 at 11:55 pm
APPLICATION TIP
For this senior Civil Service position, focus your application on measurable achievements, leadership, contract performance, stakeholder management and continuous improvement.
Pay particular attention to the Leadership behaviour because evidence for this behaviour is specifically required.