Recruitment Process
Application
To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online form. This should be completed no later than 23:55 on 19th July 2026
The application will include:
- A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
- A Statement of Suitability (no longer than 1000 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities, and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification.
Failure to submit both documents will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification.
As part of the online application process, you will be asked a number of diversity-related questions. If you do not wish to provide a declaration on any of the particular characteristics, you will have the option to select 'prefer not to say'.
All monitoring data will be treated in the strictest confidence and will not be provided to the selection panel.
Should you encounter any issues with your application please contact:
IndiaScarlett.Horton@sandersonplc.com
For a confidential discussion to help inform your application, please contact our recruitment advisors at Sanderson Government and Defence:
Josh.irving@sandersonplc.com
IndiaScarlett.Horton@sandersonplc.com
Longlist
The panel will assess your application to select those demonstrating the best fit with the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the essential criteria set out in the 'Person Specification' section. Failure to address any or all of these may affect your application.
The timeline later in this pack indicates the date by which decisions are expected to be made, and all candidates will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter. Candidates selected for longlisting will be invited for a preliminary discussion with a consultant at Sanderson Government and Defence to further explore their skills and experience.
Candidates applying under the Disability Confident, Redeployment or Veterans Scheme who meet the minimum selection criteria in the job specification are guaranteed an interview. Please complete the relevant parts in the application system if applying under these schemes.
Shortlist
The panel will review reports on those longlisted and will select a shortlist of candidates whose applications best demonstrate suitability for the role, by considering the evidence provided against the essential criteria set out in the Person Specification.
Assessment
If you are shortlisted you will be asked to take part in the following assessments :
- Individual Leadership Assessment – a combination of psychometric assessments
- Staff Engagement Exercise - a presentation and Q&A with a representative staff group from across the DfT.
These assessments will not result in a pass or fail decision. Rather, they are designed to support the panel's decision making and highlight areas for the panel to explore further at interview.
Interview
You will be invited to attend a panel interview, which will include a presentation followed by an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence against the criteria outlined in the Person Specification. Interviews are expected to take place face to face at our London office.
Outcome and Feedback
Unfortunately, due to the anticipated number of applicants for this role, we are unable to provide feedback to those not successful at longlist stage.
Timeline
The timeline later in this pack indicates the date by which decisions are expected to be made, all candidates will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter, and we will advise on any delays.
Expected Timeline
We will try and offer as much flexibility as we can, but it may not be possible to offer alternative dates for assessments or interviews. You are therefore asked to note the below timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process, in order to meet the dates given. Please note that these dates may be subject to change.
The anticipated timetable is as follows:
| Advert Closing Date |
19th July 2026 |
| Longlist |
24th July 2026 |
| Shortlist |
5th August 2026 |
| Assessments |
Close to 13th August 2026 |
| Panel Interviews |
w/c 24th August |
Start Your Application