Director of Education Funding Delivery and Oversight

Job summary

The DfE is supported by around 8,000 staff across multiple sites, and it works with 13 Arm's Length Bodies. These bodies play a critical role in the administration of our funding, the delivery of services, and the provision of regulation and advice across the sector.

We are responsible for:

• teaching and learning for children in the early years and in primary schools.
• teaching and learning for young people in secondary schools.
• teaching, learning and training for young people in further education.
• teaching and learning for students in higher education.
• supporting professionals who work in our sectors.
• helping all children and young people, including those who are disadvantaged or with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), to achieve and thrive.
• making sure that local services protect and support children.

You can find out further information on our responsibilities, priorities, who we are and corporate information on GOV.UK About us - Department for Education - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Want to Learn More?

We’re hosting a virtual candidate information session where you can:

• Meet the Chief Operating Officer, Tony Foot
• Ask questions about the role
• Learn more about what the role involves
• Explore development and progression opportunities

Online via Microsoft Teams on 8 September at 13:00 (60 minute session)

To receive an invitation, please email: [email removed]

Job description

The role and key responsibilities:

• Delivering accurate, timely and resilient education funding – over £90 billion a year to around 20,000 schools, colleges and other providers.
• Leading transformation of the Department’s funding service – modernising digital systems, building operational capability and simplifying delivery across policy, finance, digital, data and operational teams. This includes SRO leadership of the Department’s Grant Transformation Programme to radically simplify and align grants.
• Stewardship of public money – delivering the financial control function for the education sector. This includes setting key frameworks, proportionate controls, effective counter-fraud leadership and delivering clear assurance that funding is used effectively and for its intended purpose. The role involves maintaining confidence through ministerial, parliamentary and public scrutiny.
• Strengthening financial resilience – working with sector leaders to anticipate and address financial risks.
• Influential leadership across government and education – shaping departmental priorities, bridging policy and operations, and building trusted relationships with senior leaders across Government, ministers, Mayoral Strategic Authorities and school and college leaders.
• Leading a capable, inclusive and high-performing directorate – inspiring and energetically leading approximately 350 colleagues, including finance, counter-fraud and operational delivery professionals.

Person specification

Essential criteria:

• A proven track record of leading complex operational delivery functions – delivering quality services at scale and in highly scrutinised environments.
• Experience of leading large-scale data, digital and technology-driven transformation – using data, digital, technology and process improvement to drive efficiency and improve outcomes.
• Extensive responsibility for oversight of large budgets and providing financial assurance – including the application of strong controls, risk management and value for money principles.
• Outstanding people leadership – with a track record of building high-performing teams, developing capability and creating an inclusive culture that enables people to deliver their best.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills – including experience of working with the most senior leaders, Ministers and delivery partners.

Desirable criterion:

Where candidates are closely matched against the essential criteria, the panel may also take account of the following desirable criterion.

• Knowledge of the education, skills or wider public sector landscape, gained through working with relevant delivery organisations, regulators or sector partners.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £105,000, Department for Education contributes £30,418 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).

Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies.

As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.

You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years’ service. In addition, all staff receive the King’s Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days’ bank and public holidays.

We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.

Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances, but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.

Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.

As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

If you would like to apply for this position, please complete the Civil Service Jobs application form by clicking the "apply now" button at the top or bottom of this advert. Applications will be accepted until 23:55 21 September 2026.

Stage 1 – Application

At sift stage, you will be assessed on your Experience in line with the essential skills listed in the person specification section of the job advert.

To apply for this role, please provide:

1. A CV setting out your caree