Capability Development Manager

Job summary

Shape the future of Defence geospatial capability.

We have an exciting opportunity for a motivated, forward-thinking individual to join 42 Engineer Regiment (Geographic) as a Capability Development Manager. Leading a small team of military and civilian personnel, you will drive innovation, develop cutting-edge geospatial capabilities, and ensure the Royal Engineers (Geographic) remain at the forefront of technological advancement. Working closely with Defence partners, industry leaders and international stakeholders, including NATO, you will play a key role in future-proofing the trade, influencing capability development across the Geospatial Intelligence enterprise, and delivering lasting impact across wider Defence.

If you are passionate about innovation, leadership and geospatial excellence, we would love to hear from you.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

Key responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Line management and mentoring of a team of five, comprising four military personnel and one civil servant.
• Future-proofing the Royal Engineers (RE) (Geographic) trade by ensuring alignment with industry standards and keeping pace with technological advancements.
• Identify long-term capability gaps within RE (Geo) and propose innovative solutions to address them.
• Coordinate and manage technical development within the GEOINT trade, driving continuous service improvements.
• Conduct assurance visits to UK-based military units to assess the effectiveness of RE (Geo) support and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Liaise with industry partners to ensure projects are feasible, cost-effective, and aligned with Defence objectives.
• Attend and actively contribute to conferences, exercises, and partner meetings to identify, share, and adopt best practices.

In Defence Intelligence (DI) our people solve problems, create understanding and give perspective to the diverse and complex Defence threats and challenges in a rapidly changing world. Together our civilians and military personnel inform decision making in Defence, manage complex finance programmes and develop new technology.

In DI we believe your unique experiences, view and understanding of the world could provide a vital perspective and contribution to our work. We recognise that great minds do not think alike and are striving to increase our diversity representation at all levels. As an equal opportunities employer we hire, train and promote people based on merit and inspire to create an inclusive workplace free of discrimination. We also offer flexible working arrangements such as flexi-time, job share and compressed hours.

All jobs advertised in DI are subject to fair and open competition.

Person specification

Essential criteria:

• A confident communicator, capable of delivering briefs and hosting technical discussions with staff at varying levels of technical expertise, seniority, and experience within the trade.
• Has evidence of Project management experience (any level).
• Able to confidently discuss and advise on capability enhancements for current and future in-service capabilities.
• Proactive and innovative, with the ability to identify opportunities and lead development initiatives.
• Able to manage their own time effectively and demonstrates a proactive nature in seeking new opportunities for the trade.
• Experienced using the Microsoft Office suite of applications.

Desirable criteria:

• Level 6 Qualification in Geography/GIS: L6/MSc/MA or equivalent experience in a related field.
• Level 6 in Computer Science (L6/BSc/BA) or higher or equivalent experience in a related field.
• Management experience.
• Exposure to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
• ArcGIS Enterprise Fundamentals Qualification (if not already held this will be facilitated within 12 months of taking up the post).
• AGILE PM Fundamentals (if not already held this will be facilitated within 12 months of taking up the post).
• Relevant professional awareness of Geospatial Analysis and/or Intelligence Analysis.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,720, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,927 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

We offer a range of excellent benefits including but not limited to the following:

• All successful candidates will be eligible to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme with an average employer contribution of 28.97%.
• Leave entitlement of 25-day annual leave allowance per year increasing by 1 day per year (maximum 30 days per year). In addition, 8 statutory Bank Holidays and 1 privilege day per year.
• Complementing our generous annual leave allowance, we also have a flexible working scheme.
• Additional working pattern options – we have a strong culture of flexible working and encourage all employees to have a healthy work/life balance. We offer a wide range of potential working patterns, including part time, job share and compressed hours. These need to be balanced with business needs so they will vary from job to job. If you would like to know more, please speak to the Recruiting Line Manager.
• Professional Development – We are committed to your continued professional and personal development with learning as one of our core values.
• Health and Wellbeing – for a small fee we offer the staff the use of the exceptional site gymnasium facilities.
• We also offer an excellent range of family-friendly benefits, for example, enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
• Special Paid Leave to volunteer up to 6 days a year
• RAF Wyton has free car parking; and other facilities such as a Sports & Social Club, Gym and onsite shop.

Discover My Benefits
Please follow the link to visit the Discover My Benefits site which showcases the benefits and discounts offered when working as a civilian for the MOD.

https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/civilian/

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of office attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this and other flexible working arrangements may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowanc