Future Rural Payments Service (FRPS) Programme Director

Job summary

The Future Rural Payments Service (FRPS) is one of Defra Group’s largest transformation programmes, reshaping how grants and payments are delivered through a simpler, more resilient and adaptable service. With a programme budget of approximately £100 million, FRPS will replace six legacy systems, helping customers access £2.5 billion of funding each year while creating a platform capable of supporting future grants and payments services across Defra Group. The programme is now entering a critical phase, moving from design and early delivery towards testing, business readiness and transition to live service. Leading this programme means ensuring that essential funding continues to reach those who depend on it, while creating a service equipped to support the rural sector for years to come.

Job description

We are seeking a proven leader of major transformation programmes to lead FRPS through its next phase of delivery. Working closely with the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) Chief Executive, the programme’s Senior Responsible Owner, you will set strategic direction, maintain delivery momentum and ensure that investment delivers lasting benefits.

This is one of the most significant delivery leadership roles in Defra Group. You will bring together leaders from RPA, Defra policy teams and Defra’s Digital, Data, Technology and Security group to align policy, operations and digital delivery around a shared objective. You will resolve competing priorities and keep the programme on track while balancing delivery pace with risk, cost and scope. You will oversee implementation and transition from legacy systems while protecting the continuity of payments on which customers depend.

The successful candidate will bring a strong track record in major transformation and large-scale digital service delivery, alongside the judgement and resilience to lead through complexity. You will build confidence among Ministers, senior leaders and assurance bodies, establish clear governance and accountability, and lead high-performing, inclusive teams.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a nationally significant transformation at a pivotal moment. FRPS will become a cornerstone of Defra Group's future delivery landscape, enabling funding, grants and payments to be delivered through services that are simpler, more resilient and more adaptable to future needs. As Programme Director, you will play a central role in shaping that future.

Person specification

We’re looking for a senior leader who can operate at pace, bring clarity to complexity, and deliver consistently through others.

Major programme delivery:
A proven track record of leading large, complex transformation programmes and delivering successful outcomes in demanding environments. Experience of recovering momentum, managing interdependencies and delivering against challenging milestones would be advantageous.

Digital service delivery:
Significant experience of leading the delivery of large-scale digital services, platforms or business-critical technology programmes. Experience of operating within complex legacy technology environments and delivering change whilst maintaining service continuity would be advantageous.

Strategic leadership and judgement:
Able to provide clear direction in complex environments, make difficult decisions and balance pace, risk, cost and value. Demonstrates sound judgement and resilience when operating under pressure and scrutiny.

Stakeholder leadership:
Experience of building confidence and alignment across diverse stakeholder groups, including senior leaders, delivery partners, assurance bodies and government sponsors. Able to influence effectively in environments where outcomes depend on collaboration rather than direct authority.

Implementation and service transition:
Experience of leading organisations through testing, business readiness, implementation and transition to live
service. Able to maintain operational performance and stakeholder confidence while managing delivery risk and
organisational change.

People leadership:
A track record of building high-performing teams and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement. Committed to developing people and creating an inclusive environment in which teams can thrive.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £105,000, Rural Payments Agency 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).

• 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%

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

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit roles.saxbam.com using reference OCDCA. Alternatively email [email removed]. Applications should be received by 12:00 on Tuesday 3rd November 2026.

Role Briefing

Candidates will have the opportunity to find out more about the role at a virtual briefing session on Tuesday 20 October at 11.15

Joining Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/374828276597833?p=YbDVUrslPcWLtt9Sv8

Meeting ID: 374 828 276 597 833

Passcode: ax27sV63

Please note that this not part of the formal assessment process; it is intended to give candidates the opportunity to learn more about the role and the FRPS.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.This role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years. An assignment duration is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through building your depth of expertise.

As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not pre