Policy Team Manager

Details
Reference number

434544

Salary

£35,663

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

GBP

Job grade

Higher Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

DVLA - Strategy, Policy and Communications Directorate

Type of role

Policy

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Number of jobs available

2

Contents

• Location
• About the job
• Benefits
• Things you need to know
• Apply and further information

Location

Swansea

About the job
Job summary

Do you have a keen interest in law and the legislative process, and enjoy working collaboratively across different business areas?

Are you able to analyse information from a range of sources to support decision-making?

Do you have excellent drafting skills and the ability to communicate complex information with confidence?

If so, we'd love to hear from you

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to impactful policy development in a high-profile and fast-paced environment. You will have exposure to a wide range of stakeholders across government, gain valuable experience in policy and legislation, and learn from subject matter experts within the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

The DVLA plays a vital role in keeping Britain's roads safe and efficient. We are responsible for the registration and licensing of drivers in Great Britain and vehicles across the UK, as well as the collection and enforcement of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). Our work ensures that only qualified drivers and correctly taxed vehicles are on the road.

Our key responsibilities include issuing photocard driving licences and vehicle registration certificates, recording driver endorsements and medical conditions, and taking enforcement action against tax evaders. We also register and issue tachograph cards, sell personalised registrations, and support law enforcement by providing crucial data to police and intelligence services. In addition, we offer anonymised data services to authorised users, helping inform public and private sector decision-making.

At DVLA, we are committed to delivering services that are simple, secure, and efficient making a difference to millions of people every day.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King's birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below

Find out more about what it's like working at DVLA.

Job description

We are seeking highly motivated and strategic Policy Team Managers to support the shaping and delivery of policy in support of the DVLA, the Department for Transport (DfT), and other motoring agencies. This is a pivotal role involving the management of existing policy, the support of legislative change, and the development of new policy aligned with government priorities.

You will provide clear, evidence-based advice to senior officials, ministers, and cross-government stakeholders. This includes preparing high-quality ministerial submissions, briefings, and correspondence, while ensuring political sensitivities are appropriately considered.

The role requires a strong analytical approach to policy development. You will lead research, data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and consultations to review and inform policy decisions. You will assess and manage policy risks, identify legislative requirements, and work closely with legal teams to ensure effective delivery of changes.

A key part of the role is supporting the implementation of policy in line with government digital and efficiency agendas, ensuring that changes are communicated effectively and embedded across operational and stakeholder groups.

Your responsibilities will include, but aren't limited to:

• Drafting responses to ministerial and official correspondence, and preparing submissions and briefings for senior officials, ministers, and other departments. Ensuring high standards, quality, and timeliness, while considering political sensitivities and representing the department at meetings or events when needed.
• Developing and influencing evidence-based policy by reviewing existing legislation, analysing data, engaging stakeholders, and conducting consultations. Clarifying policy positions, challenge precedents, and ensuring alignment with agency/government processes for legislative change and approvals. Supporting effective implementation with a focus on minimising impact, managing risks, and identifying mitigating actions.
• Championing change and efficiency ensuring all are aware of and buy in to government, departmental and agency strategies with a focus on enabling digital services.
• Managing the use of information and data appropriately, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and policies.
• Managing resource and staff effectively, ensuing that self and staff adhere to Health & Safety, Data Protection, absence management and security policies, and understand relevant employment law.

Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills they need. We aim to empower line managers to create teams where people can flourish and deliver excellent outcomes for the public.

For further information on the role, please read the role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

Person specification

Required experience:

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

• Using your excellent communication skills to produce draft correspondence and briefings to a quality standard.
• Strong internal and external stakeholder engagement experience and the ability to influence and challenge when necessary.
• Delivering quality work to tight deadlines, efficiently handling competing priorities, working flexibly to achieve objectives.
• Working on your own initiative to solve a problem using research and evidence.

Additional Information

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.

Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 30 hours per week.

This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.

The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location/visiting stakeholders. Your designated workplace will be your contractual place of work. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).

Visa Sponsorship

Please note that we do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker Licence sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. Candidates must ensure they have the appropriate rights to work in the UK before application.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,663, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency contributes £10,331 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King's birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies.

Things you need to know
Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

How to apply:

Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's skills, and potential fit within our organisation.

The selection process for this role will be:

Stage 1: Sift of CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Stage 2: Interview

You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage.

Stage 1: Sift

At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

• Experience – you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (1000-word count). Please provide evidence of your Experience of the following:
• Using your excellent communication skills to produce draft correspondence and briefings to a quality standard.
• Strong internal and external stakeholder engagement experience and the ability to influence and challenge when necessary.
• Delivering quality work to tight deadlines, efficiently handling competing priorities, working flexibly to achieve objectives.
• Working on your own initiative to solve a problem using research and evidence.

The sift will take place from Thursday 13th November 2025.

Stage 2: Interview

At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

• Behaviours – Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Making Effective Decisions, Working Together
• Experience – Delivering quality work to tight deadlines, efficiently handling competing priorities, working flexibly to achieve objectives.
• Strengths

The interviews will take place week commencing Monday 1st December 2025.

This interview will be conducted in person at our Swansea office. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.

You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site .

Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change.

Further information on the selection process

We will also hold a 12-month reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for. You can read more about our reserve lists here.

AI Tools and Platforms

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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Reasonable Adjustments

As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

Complete the "Assistance required" section in the "Additional requirements" page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Document Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email for assistance.

Further Information

For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.

Pre-employment Checking

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

If your application is successful but you have been dismissed from the Civil Service within the last 12 months, your application could be removed at the pre-employment checking stage.

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)
• 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

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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 .

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.

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 and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans 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 : Mark Chatham
• Email :

Recruitment team

• Email :

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email:

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here

---