Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Canary Wharf, Cardiff, Carmarthen, Canary Wharf, Colchester, Croydon, Durham, Eastbourne, Exeter, Folkestone, Hull, Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich, Nottingham, Oxford, Plymouth, Preston, Sheffield, Southampton, St Austell, Stoke-on-Trent, Swansea, Wembley, Wrexham. About the job Job summary The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) are the public sectors property valuation experts and advisers with a vision to be a world-leading provider of public sector valuations. Our work is vital to the collection of over £60 billion of revenue which goes back into communities, touching every citizen and every business across England and Wales. We champion the values of professionalism, integrity, respect and innovation. We are committed to providing a collaborative and supportive working environment that encourages every colleague to contribute, grow and excel together. With opportunities to drive your own development and growth, we empower our colleagues to succeed by ensuring support at every step of their career journey. Job description Head of Programme Strategy - NextGen Rating (NGR) Role Overview The scale of VOAs transformation agenda has increased significantly in the past five years from important but incremental change to two Government Major Portfolio Programmes (GMPP) level programmes, Business System Transformation (BST) and Non-Domestic Rates Reform (NDRR). These two major programmes will be transitioning to a single NDR transformation programme later this year, the NextGen Rating (NGR) programme (with an estimated whole life cost in current business case of £239m). This new Head of NGR Strategy role is being set up to ensure the new programme stays aligned to both its and the VOAs strategic goals and aims. This is an exciting role which will see you work across a complex and politically important set of issues, blending analytical, statistical, commercial intelligence and strategy skills. You will help deliver the strategic direction for our new programme by developing clear, operable strategies that deliver our objective of merging two individually complex programmes in the most cost-effective way. You will report to the Programme Director, engage regularly with ExCom, Senior Governance boards and Senior Stakeholders across government to develop strategic solutions collaboratively. The role will continue to pivot as the programme matures and you will need to be adept at working with high levels of ambiguity, utilising a high level of change management skills, and working effectively within a large GMPP programme framework. Working across multiple programme teams, you will need to be confident working with both data and financial analysts, commercial specialists, and project delivery specialists, and enjoy operating within an ever changing, fast paced programme environment. Head of Programme Strategy - NextGen Rating (NGR) Key responsibilities You will establish and lead the new NGR Strategy Team which will include the following functions and priorities: Strategic Planning Define the strategic ambition for NGR and lead long-term planning. Lead the creation and management of complex multi-year IT and service delivery strategic plans for NGR, incorporating contingencies for known programme uncertainties and dependencies. Ensure high precision in multi-year strategic plans, recognising the intricate programme interdependencies between service development and the IT platform required to support new services. Ensure that NGR is aligned to and contributes to the overall strategic objectives of the VOA and agency-wide transformation portfolio. Development of programme performance metrics Business Case Prepare and maintain a robust business case which justifies the necessary investment in NGR and informs Spending Review bids, setting out the indicative costs and benefits of the programme. Benefits Management Lead and maintain the benefits management strategy and framework, including tracking the realisation of benefits used to justify investment in NGR. Your core tasks will include: Stakeholder engagement Identify key stakeholders and develop effective relationships to enable collaborative working on strategy development, influencing to obtain buy-in and alignment to strategic ambitions of NGR. Act as a key advisor to senior leadership, providing insights and recommendations for complex strategic decisions. Building strategic alignment Build strategic alignment across NGR, enabling coherence as the programme moves from a transitional to steady state. Gain sponsorship from Senior Stakeholders to support business case change and spend review bids Track and measure programme engagement success. Team management and leadership Establish and lead a team of c.2 FTE, at times working within a blended team with consultancy support. Set high standards and support wellbeing and learning and development in the team, including developing yourself. Person specification We are looking for a self-starter and innovative thinker, able to engage with and bring evidence to bear on strategic issues. You will be an eloquent communicator, who can draw out key messages from analysis and present them in a way that engages senior audiences. Most importantly, you will be an empathetic leader who is able to inspire, lead and manage a high performing team and effectively manage diverse workstreams in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment. Essential Requirements Experience in setting the direction in a complex environment. Experience of strategy development and implementation, including understanding how to ensure strategies or change initiatives are deliverable in complex environments. Experience in leading the development and execution of complex, multi-year strategic plans, particularly in IT and service delivery environments. Strong analytical skills, able to draw key insights from data and develop evidence-based proposals. Strong people and engagement skills, able to influence at all levels, deliver through others and develop a high-performing, multi-disciplinary team whilst supporting the teams wellbeing. Experience working in a large organisation at pace, able to adapt to changing priorities and deliver in the face of uncertainty. This includes being able to bring clarity and lead others in this challenging environment. Excellent oral and written communication skills, able to convey complex information in a concise manner. Able to advocate and influence against challenge. Other desirable criteria are: Experience operating in complex environments. Willingness to travel. Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Leadership Delivering at Pace Seeing the Big Picture Communicating and Influencing Benefits Alongside your salary of £70,654, Valuation Office Agency contributes £20,468 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. We offer a range of flexible working options, a generous leave allowance that starts at 25 days and goes up to 30 days after 5 years service and a Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%. Learning and development tailored to your role. An environment with flexible working options. Family friendly policies including 26 weeks full pay for maternity, adoption or shared parental leave. Employee Assistance Programme offering comprehensive wellbeing support. To learn more about the extensive benefits we can offer you as a VOA employee please download our Benefits Booklet: pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk) Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience. If you can meet our person requirements above, we are keen to hear from you. To apply for this post, you must complete an online application with the following: A CV setting out your Job History and Previous skills and experiences. A Personal Statement (maximum 1000 words) please outline your suitability for the role. Please pay particular attention to the Essential Criteria and Person Specification outlined in the advert when providing your answer. Sift (21/02/25) We will assess you on your CV and Personal Statement. Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead essential criteria via the personal statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview. Interviews Staff Engagement Exercise (10/03/25) Please note these dates are provisional and may be subject to change. These will be confirmed should you be invited to interview. Interview (18/03/25) Please note these dates are provisional and may be subject to change. These will be confirmed should you be invited to interview. Interviews are currently taking place using Microsoft Teams Video. We will provide more detail if you are shortlisted for interview. We will assess you on the Behaviours listed in the job description, Strengths, Experience and a Presentation. At the interview, the panel can then probe further and ask applicants to provide further specific examples that show how they best demonstrate their skills. Behaviours The distinguishing Behaviours (the required skills, knowledge and behaviours) for this role are set out in the Civil Service Behaviours Framework 2018 ( Success Profiles - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) ) and should be referred to when making this application. You are required, under the Behaviours approach, to describe how you have dealt with a specific situation. You must give evidence of your knowledge, skills and behaviours and how you have applied this, such as what you did or said and how you interacted with other people. When you are giving your examples, do not spend too many words on description and background information. Avoid using general or unspecific statements. Instead say what the situation was, what you did what your thought process was and so on. Presentation You will also be required to conduct a 10-minute presentation (information on the presentation topic will be provided to you if you are shortlisted for interview). Application Hints and Tips For more information on Success Profiles, tips on how to write a successful application and find out more about whats involved in the application process please visit About the application process, Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk) Further Information As part of the application process you will be asked to tell us which of the locations available you can work in. You will be able to specify up to 2 options. Please be aware that you can be posted to any location that you put in your preferences. If you would only like to be posted to one location, please confirm one location only. Successful candidates must select one of the locations noted in this advert as their base office and will be expected to undertake regular travel to this location under the Agencys hybrid working policy. Due to the way the CS Jobs system is set up, when choosing your preferred locations, you will find that the Wembley & Canary Wharf locations will not appear on the list of options. Should you wish to choose Wembley as a location then please select Harlesden. Should you wish to choose Canary Wharf as a location then please select Tower Hamlets. Any move to VOA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk The VOA is an office-based organisation that supports flexible working. By default, everyone in the VOA is a hybrid worker with options to work in the office, at home or out and about, depending on the work theyre doing that day and where its best done. VOA employees only: If you are currently in receipt of DTA as a result of a VOA office closure/restructure and it is agreed for you to take up this role in your current location, you may continue to receive DTA for the remainder of the period you can claim for. Please check with the Vacancy Holder on preferred locations for this role before you apply. If you would require a Certificate of Sponsorship from the VOA to undertake this role, please contact resourcingteamvoa.gov.uk before submitting your application. Pre-employment Checks In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. Reasonable Adjustment We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process because of a disability, condition, or impairment. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate. If you need a reasonable adjustment or a change to be made so that you can make your application, please click here for more information: Reasonable Adjustments, Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk) and contact voarecruitment.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible. Complete the Assistance required section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. Terms & Conditions Voluntary terms apply. Reserve Lists If we have more successful candidates than available vacancies, we will hold a 6-month reserve list. During that time, we may use the list to fill the same, or similar roles with closely matching essential criteria, without further testing of merit. Any appointments from the Reserve list will be made in strict merit order. Starting Work The successful candidate will normally take up duty within one month from notification of successful completion of pre-employment checks. Applying All applications for these vacancies must be made online. There are limited exceptions to this. Paper applications will only be considered if you have a disability that will prevent you from applying online. If this is the case, please email voarecruitment.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk Once you have submitted your application it cannot be amended; only submit your application when you have completely finished and answered all the relevant questions. Please note that late applications will not be accepted. If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section. New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. Use of AI You may utilise artificial intelligence (AI) tools and platforms to support you during the application process however, as with any application all information submitted must be factually accurate and all examples provided must be taken directly from your own experience. All presented information will be assessed at interview. Any applications where factual inaccuracy, plagiarism or copying of examples/answers from internet sources is detected will be withdrawn from the process. Further action, including disciplinary action, may be considered in such cases involving internal candidates. Concerns/Complaints The Valuation Office Agencys recruitment processes are underpinned by the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles, which outlines that selection for appointment is made on merit based on fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles, you may make a complaint, by contacting the Central Recruitment Team at the following address: resourcingteamvoa.gov.uk If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint you have the right to complain to the Civil Service Commissioners. This post is advertised as temporary with the possibility of permanency. Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements This job is broadly open to the following groups: UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window). Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : Jaqueline Wilson Email : Jaqueline.wilsonvoa.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : VOARecruitment.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk Share this page Print Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn GMail