Workflow Planning Senior Strategic Lead
- Department for Work and Pensions
- Barking, Essex
- Sep 01, 2026
Full time
Government
Job Description
Job summary
Help shape how DWP tackles fraud and error
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) supports around 20 million customers and plays a vital role in protecting public funds.
The Integrated Risk and Intelligence Service (IRIS) sits at the heart of the department and is a national team within the Counter Fraud, Compliance and Debt directorate providing a core service as the centre of expertise for fraud and error.
IRIS provides the department with a single view of fraud and error risks within the benefit system and contributes towards efficiencies, savings and tackling organised crime and modern slavery through its core delivery services. We are a multi-disciplinary team bringing together a diverse range of expertise and technology including data science, digital specialists, cyber specialists, intelligence analysts and counter fraud experts. This creates a powerful force using data and insight in innovative ways, supporting DWP to deliver our collective mission to pay the right person the right amount at the right time.
We are recruiting two Grade 7 Workflow Planning Senior Strategic Leads to join the IRIS Operational Delivery Centre (ODC).
These national roles sit at the heart of IRIS delivery, leading the strategic planning and delivery of work across a network of around 15,000 operational colleagues. You will ensure the right work reaches the right teams at the right time, maximising the impact of our products and services through sound judgement, effective strategic prioritisation and resourcing to risk.
Working across IRIS, CFCD, Universal Credit, Benefit Services and wider partners, you will engage and influence senior leaders, shape delivery priorities and help integrate emerging risks, opportunities and new products into operational delivery.
Job description
As Workflow Planning Senior Strategic Lead, you will:
You will have
Theseroles require national security clearance at Security Check (SC) level in addition to completion of Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS).
To hold security clearance, you must go through a process called National Security Vetting (NSV).You can find more information here: United Kingdom Security Vetting: Applicant - GOV.UK ( )
The purpose of the NSV process is to provide a level of assurance about an individuals trustworthiness, integrity and reliability, and other factors that increase their vulnerability to corruption or risk of committing a security breach. It involves the investigation of an individuals background and circumstances to achieve this aim.
To be eligible to apply, you must have lived in the UK for at least 5 years across your lifetime and at least 3 of the last 5 years. If you do not meet these conditions, we will not be able to proceed with your application, because you will be unable to obtain Security Clearance. This does not apply to people based overseas in the UK military or working for HMG.
The application process will ask for personal details about you, your address history,previous relationships, your parents, your employment history, your financial circumstances, and details of any pending, spent or unspent convictions. This list is not exhaustive. Please view the Vetting explained - GOV.UK ( ) for more information.
If you do not obtain the required security clearance level, your offer will be withdrawn
If you require any further information, please contact the vacancy holder the details are on the jobs portal through which you made your application.
If you are successful in your application, we recommend that you familiarise yourself with the NSV process and advise that you collate as much information as you can prior to starting your Vetting application.
United Kingdom Security Vetting: Applicant - GOV.UK
United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) is the main UK government provider of security clearances.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Alongside your salary of 57,946, Department for Work and Pensions contributes 16,786 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).
DWP have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:
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
. click apply for full job details
Help shape how DWP tackles fraud and error
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) supports around 20 million customers and plays a vital role in protecting public funds.
The Integrated Risk and Intelligence Service (IRIS) sits at the heart of the department and is a national team within the Counter Fraud, Compliance and Debt directorate providing a core service as the centre of expertise for fraud and error.
IRIS provides the department with a single view of fraud and error risks within the benefit system and contributes towards efficiencies, savings and tackling organised crime and modern slavery through its core delivery services. We are a multi-disciplinary team bringing together a diverse range of expertise and technology including data science, digital specialists, cyber specialists, intelligence analysts and counter fraud experts. This creates a powerful force using data and insight in innovative ways, supporting DWP to deliver our collective mission to pay the right person the right amount at the right time.
We are recruiting two Grade 7 Workflow Planning Senior Strategic Leads to join the IRIS Operational Delivery Centre (ODC).
These national roles sit at the heart of IRIS delivery, leading the strategic planning and delivery of work across a network of around 15,000 operational colleagues. You will ensure the right work reaches the right teams at the right time, maximising the impact of our products and services through sound judgement, effective strategic prioritisation and resourcing to risk.
Working across IRIS, CFCD, Universal Credit, Benefit Services and wider partners, you will engage and influence senior leaders, shape delivery priorities and help integrate emerging risks, opportunities and new products into operational delivery.
Job description
As Workflow Planning Senior Strategic Lead, you will:
- Lead and inspire your team and colleagues throughout the IRIS Operational Delivery Centre to deliver our strategic objectives.
- Have a clear vision, roadmap and delivery plan for your team, helping others to see by making it visible at a range of levels and delivering outcomes to expected standards and timescales.
- Create an environment where colleagues throughout the IRIS ODC team are empowered and can thrive, grow, succeed and consistently perform at their best.
- Be a strong collaborative leader delivering corporate accountabilities, strategic outcomes and objectives, communicating and influencing effectively with stakeholders at senior levels.
- Lead strategic workflow planning across multiple IRIS products and services for around 15,000 operational colleagues. Oversee workflow prioritisation, ensuring IRIS activity delivers maximum value and is aligned with fraud and error risks.
- Think strategically, prioritise and set direction across a diverse and complex range of priorities and strategic objectives, including corporate CFCD and DWP leadership as well as your own team.
- Act as the primary link between IRIS and operational delivery, digital teams and strategic stakeholders. Seeking regular feedback from operations to continuously improve workflow.
- Lead horizon scanning, contingency planning and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Represent IRIS confidently at senior forums and national meetings, often working directly with Deputy Directors. Provide expert advice and constructive challenge to senior leaders on delivery risks and opportunities.
- Successfully solve complex problems using data, evidence and expertise to deliver strategic outcomes and objectives.
- Drive and role model professional development for you and your team, which provides the required capability.
- These are national roles and will require regular travel across the UK, including occasional overnight stays.
- These roles require national security clearance at Security Check (SC) level in addition to completion of Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS).
You will have
- Significant senior leadership experience in a complex large-scale fraud, compliance or operational delivery environment.
- Proven ability to lead through others, inspire, motivate, and deliver results at scale.
- Be resilient with sound judgement and a focus on outcomes.
- Experience of managing multiple priorities and operating at pace.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills at senior and working level.
- The ability to solve complex problems and drive continuous improvement through collaboration and innovation.
- The ability to and proven experience of translating strategy into practical delivery plans.
- Be able to use data, insight and evidence to drive decisions.
- Proven experience of communicating complex sensitive issues clearly, confidently and engaging ways to achieve maximum impact.
Theseroles require national security clearance at Security Check (SC) level in addition to completion of Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS).
To hold security clearance, you must go through a process called National Security Vetting (NSV).You can find more information here: United Kingdom Security Vetting: Applicant - GOV.UK ( )
The purpose of the NSV process is to provide a level of assurance about an individuals trustworthiness, integrity and reliability, and other factors that increase their vulnerability to corruption or risk of committing a security breach. It involves the investigation of an individuals background and circumstances to achieve this aim.
To be eligible to apply, you must have lived in the UK for at least 5 years across your lifetime and at least 3 of the last 5 years. If you do not meet these conditions, we will not be able to proceed with your application, because you will be unable to obtain Security Clearance. This does not apply to people based overseas in the UK military or working for HMG.
The application process will ask for personal details about you, your address history,previous relationships, your parents, your employment history, your financial circumstances, and details of any pending, spent or unspent convictions. This list is not exhaustive. Please view the Vetting explained - GOV.UK ( ) for more information.
If you do not obtain the required security clearance level, your offer will be withdrawn
If you require any further information, please contact the vacancy holder the details are on the jobs portal through which you made your application.
If you are successful in your application, we recommend that you familiarise yourself with the NSV process and advise that you collate as much information as you can prior to starting your Vetting application.
United Kingdom Security Vetting: Applicant - GOV.UK
United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) is the main UK government provider of security clearances.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
Alongside your salary of 57,946, Department for Work and Pensions contributes 16,786 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).
DWP have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:
- Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
- Generous annual leave at least 25 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (prorata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
- Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
- Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
- Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 years continuous service.
- Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
- An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Womens Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.
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
. click apply for full job details
About Department for Work and Pensions