Operational Leader

Operational Leader – Southern

Department: Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
Salary: £38,772 – £39,621 per year
Grade: Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Contract: Permanent
Vacancies: 8
Locations: Bournemouth, Bristol, Eastbourne, Plymouth, Taunton & Truro
Working Pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible Working, Job Share
Reference: 477749
Closing Date: 15 September 2026

About the Role

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is recruiting Operational Leaders to join its Counter Fraud, Compliance and Debt (CFCD) teams.

This is an opportunity for experienced leaders who enjoy working with people, improving performance and delivering high-quality customer service.

Operational Leader Vacancies

• Compliance Operational Leader: 1 position – Bristol
• Enhanced Review Team (ERT) Operational Leader: 2 positions – Plymouth & Taunton
• Fraud Investigations Operational Leader: 5 positions – Bournemouth, Bristol, Eastbourne, Taunton & Truro

Key Responsibilities

• Directly line-manage a team and provide strong leadership.
• Drive high performance and quality.
• Create an inclusive working environment.
• Motivate, develop and coach colleagues.
• Conduct performance reviews and one-to-one meetings.
• Identify learning and development opportunities.
• Work with local authorities, police, HMRC and other stakeholders.
• Build effective professional relationships.
• Communicate changes to policies, legislation and operational instructions.
• Identify risks and drive continuous improvement.
• Improve the customer experience.
• Ensure security and information-protection requirements are followed.
• Support delivery of individual and organisational objectives.

Occasional travel and overnight stays may be required.

Fraud Investigations Operational Leader Responsibilities

• Provide advice and direction to Investigation Officers.
• Support the progression of investigations.
• Review and retain evidence in accordance with disclosure requirements.
• Conduct interviews under caution.
• Review prosecution cases.
• Attend court and give evidence.
• Promote fraud awareness within DWP and with external partners.

Person Specification

DWP is looking for candidates with:

• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Strong collaboration and negotiation abilities.
• Experience managing stakeholder relationships.
• The ability to make sound decisions at pace.
• A flexible and innovative approach.
• The ability to work in a changing environment.
• The ability to lead remotely and promote inclusivity.
• High emotional intelligence, honesty and integrity.
• The ability to inspire confidence and loyalty.
• An understanding of wider organisational objectives.

Government Counter Fraud Profession

Fraud Officers are required to attain and maintain Practitioner-level membership of the Government Counter Fraud Profession (GCFP).

DWP provides structured learning pathways and support to help employees meet the professional requirements.

Level 4 Counter Fraud Investigations Apprenticeship

Successful candidates for the Fraud Investigations Operational Leader roles must be willing to undertake the mandatory Level 4 Counter Fraud Investigations Apprenticeship (CFIA).

The apprenticeship is expected to last 18 months, with full-time training that may require travel.

Candidates who already hold an equivalent qualification, such as ACFIP or PinS Accredited Counter Fraud Officer, may not need to complete the apprenticeship.

Salary and Pension

The salary is £38,772 – £39,621 per year.

New entrants are normally appointed at the minimum of the pay band.

DWP also contributes 28.97% towards the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.

Benefits

Benefits include:

• At least 23 days’ annual leave on entry, increasing to 30 days over time.
• 9 days of public and privilege leave.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Job sharing and compressed hours.
• Interest-free season ticket loans.
• Cycle-to-work scheme.
• Employee discounts.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Health and wellbeing support.
• Family-friendly policies.
• Enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after one year’s service.
• Funded learning and professional development.
• Coaching, mentoring and talent development.

Working Hours

The full-time DWP working week is 37 hours.

Working hours may fall between:

• 7:45 am and 8:00 pm, Monday to Friday
• 8:45 am and 5:00 pm on Saturdays

Hybrid Working

The role may be suitable for hybrid working.

Where agreed, employees will normally spend at least 60% of contracted working hours in their DWP office.

Hybrid working will not commence until required training and consolidation have been successfully completed.

Part-Time and Flexible Working

DWP will consider:

• Part-time working.
• Part-year working.
• Term-time working.
• Compressed hours.
• Job sharing.

Alternative working patterns must meet business requirements.

Locations

Bristol: Lodge House, Fishponds, Bristol, BS16 3HZ

Bournemouth: Tamarisk House, Cotlands Road, Bournemouth, BH1 3BG

Eastbourne: St Annes House, 2 St Annes Road, Eastbourne, BN21 3XX

Plymouth: Old Tree Court, 64 Exeter Street, Plymouth, PL4 0AJ

Taunton: Brendon House, 35–36 High Street, Taunton, TA1 3NY

Truro: Lemon Quay House, Lemon Quay, Truro, TR1 2PU

Applicants should only select locations they can reasonably travel to from their home.

This role can only be worked in the UK and cannot be performed overseas.

Visa Sponsorship

Visa sponsorship is not guaranteed.

DWP recommends that applicants who may require sponsorship seek specialist advice regarding their eligibility before applying.

Any sponsorship request will be considered according to relevant DWP guidance and Home Office policy at the time.

Learning and Development

DWP supports professional development and may require successful candidates to undertake a work-based qualification or apprenticeship.

If you hold a Level 3 qualification, such as two A levels or equivalent, you are advised to bring your certificates to the interview if available.

Selection Process

The vacancy uses the Civil Service Success Profiles recruitment framework.

Candidates will be assessed against:

• Behaviours
• Strengths
• Ability
• Experience

Stage 1 – Application Form

Complete the application form with your personal details, eligibility information and any reasonable adjustments required.

Stage 2 – Online Test

Candidates will be invited to complete a Civil Service Management Judgement Test.

Applicants are encouraged to complete the test within 24–48 hours of receiving the invitation.

The deadline for the test is 11:55 pm on 15 September 2026.

Stage 3 – Curriculum Vitae

Candidates will complete a CV section covering relevant:

• Employment history.
• Skills.
• Experience.
• Education.

DWP recommends a maximum of 500 words for the relevant skills and experience section.

You do not need to upload your personal CV.

Stage 4 – Personal Statement and Sift

Candidates must submit a personal statement of no more than 1,000 words.

Applicants should demonstrate their relevant skills and experience.

Key questions include:

• Describe a time when you demonstrated strong leadership and communication skills to achieve required outcomes while priorities changed at short notice.
• Describe a time when you analysed information from different sources to make a difficult decision.

The application deadline for all stages is 11:55 pm on 15 September 2026.

The sift is currently scheduled for 16 September to 2 October 2026.

Stage 5 – Interview

Successful candidates may be invited to a face-to-face blended interview.

Interviews are expected to last approximately 40–45 minutes.

Candidates will be assessed using behaviour and strength-based questions.

The interviews are currently scheduled to begin from 2 November 2026.

Behaviours Assessed

Candidates will be assessed against:

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace

Stage 6 – Job Offer

The current plan is for offers to be made during the week commencing 30 November 2026.

Successful candidates are expected to start following satisfactory pre-employment checks, with start dates likely to be around January 2027.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be maintained for up to 3 months.

Candidates on the reserve list may subsequently be offered a suitable position or alternative location.

Security Checks

Successful candidates must undergo appropriate pre-employment checks, including a basic or equivalent criminal record check.

Candidates working with government assets must also complete Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks.

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.
• Certain individuals with settled or pre-settled status.
• Eligible Turkish nationals and certain family members.

Applicants should check the applicable Civil Service nationality requirements before applying.

Artificial Intelligence and Applications

AI tools may be used to support an application, but all examples and statements must be truthful, factually accurate and based on your own experience.

Plagiarism or presenting another person’s experience as your own may result in withdrawal of the application.

Integrity and Plagiarism

All application examples must be based on your own experience and written in your own words.

Disability Confident Scheme

DWP operates the Disability Confident Scheme.

Where application volumes are high, the benchmark for progression may be increased.

Reasonable Adjustments

Applicants who require reasonable adjustments should indicate this on their application and contact the Government Recruitment Service as early as possible before the closing date.

Political Impartiality

The position is classified as a sensitive role because it involves contact with the public.

Restrictions may therefore apply to certain political activities.

Application Deadline

11:55 pm on Tuesday 15 September 2026

Applicants must complete all required application stages before the deadline.

How to Apply

Search for “Operational Leader – Southern” on the Civil Service Jobs website and use vacancy reference 477749.

Carefully read the full vacancy information and selection process before submitting your application.

Employer: Department for Work and Pensions
Job Title: Operational Leader – Southern
Grade: Higher Executive Officer
Salary: £38,772 – £39,621
Contract: Permanent
Vacancies: 8
Locations: Bournemouth, Bristol, Eastbourne, Plymouth, Taunton & Truro
Closing Date: 15 September 2026
Reference: 477749

Important: Visa sponsorship is not guaranteed. Applicants requiring sponsorship should confirm their eligibility before applying.