*Closes 13th February*

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions is seeking to appoint a Lead Non-Executive Board Member (NEBM) to the Departmental Board. The Lead NEBM will support the Secretary of State and the Permanent Secretary by providing sound advice, challenge, and assurance. The Lead NEBM is also responsible for providing leadership of the department’s six NEBMs and eight Non-Executive Members.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) plays a vital role in delivering the UK government’s Missions for Growth and Opportunity. As the UK’s largest public services department, we support people to enter and thrive in employment, we steward the UK’s workplace pensions system and administer the State Pension, and we deliver social security to around 20 million people.

  • Lead Non-Executive Board Member
  • Number of vacancies x 1
  • Time commitment x 24 day(s) per annum
  • Remuneration x £20,000 per annum
  • Length of term x 3 Years
  • Application deadline: Midday on 13 February 2026

Appointment description

The Role of a Lead Non-Executive Board Member 

The Lead Non-Executive Board Member role may over time to respond to policy and operational priorities. It will include
  • Working closely with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the Permanent Secretary to support strategic oversight of the department and advise on effective delivery of their priorities.
  • Deputising as Chair of the Departmental Board on behalf of Secretary of State. Driving the success of the Board by providing strategic leadership to ensure the Board operates effectively, driving discussions that align with departmental priorities and deliver tangible outcomes for citizens.
  • Applying experience of leading complex organisations to offer challenge and support on the effective strategic and operational leadership of the Department, including operational delivery; fiscal management; risk appetite; talent/people; technology and management information.
  • Providing leadership and oversight of the department’s NEDs, ensuring they are engaging on priorities effectively and providing support.
  • Providing scrutiny, challenge, and advice about the operational implications of policy, delivery, and transformation proposals.
  • Undertaking deep dives to support and advise on certain topics including departmental risks, policy matters or material delivery challenges.
  • Reviewing the department’s business plans and challenging progress, including contributing to the Department’s Annual Report and Accounts and the Permanent Secretary’s performance review.
  • Chairing monthly meetings with the NED /NEMs to ensure excellent information flow between central Government, the department, senior officials and Ministers.
  • Attending the Executive Leadership Board to support succession planning, senior official talent management and departmental change.
  • Attending government-wide meetings for lead NEDs to share best practice and to help drive the Government’s agenda.
  • Committing, as a minimum, 24 days per year to your role as Lead Non-executive Director, with the expectation that you may need to spend more time dedicated to the role to execute it to a high standard.
  • Adhere to the key principles of public life The Nolan Principles.

What do our Non-Executive Directors do?

All DWP Non-Executives are expected to contribute to the work of the Department in the following areas:
  • Independence: provide an independent perspective and assurance, including in advising the Permanent Secretary on the capability of the Department
  • Strategy: constructively challenge and contribute to the development of the Department’s strategy and business plan, including setting key objectives and targets.
  • Performance: scrutinise the performance of the Department in meeting agreed goals and objectives, including financial targets, and work with senior officials to continue to improve Departmental performance
  • People: offer mentoring, support and guidance to senior leaders in the department, and support delivery of the Department’s wider People strategy
  • Governance: ensure governance, internal control and risk management systems are effective, and deliver relevant, accurate and timely management and financial information to the Board
  • Expertise: bring expertise and experience in key areas of work, to support and supplement skills and experience brought by fellow non-executives, such as delivering major change and transformation.
  • Connect the Board to people and organisations who can provide different perspectives and expertise to help the Department deliver its responsibilities

Regulation of appointment

This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the Commissioner’s website 

Person specification

Essential criteria

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following essential qualities, skills, and experience of working with senior leaders/executives and leading across large-scale organisations:
  • Proven track record of delivering change and impact at Board level in the public or private sector, within a large, customer-facing organisation. Demonstrates experience of operating at scale and a strong record of achievement in driving strategic outcomes.
The above will be the lead essential criterion and, if there is a high volume of applications, it will be used to identify candidates for the shortlist.
Additional essential criterion:
  • Leadership: the ability to set strategic vision and drive forward priorities of the organisation
  • Knowledge: a clear understanding of the work, priorities and challenges of the organisation and the context within which it operates.
  • Experience: a strong track record of delivery on significant public policy issues within the private, public or voluntary sectors.
  • Relationship building: proven ability to build strong stakeholder relationships, including with Ministers and Senior Government officials and external stakeholders.
  • Communication: strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to listen, accept challenge and constructively challenge others in discussions with clarity and respect.
  • Judgement: effective decision-making skills with the ability to critically analyse a wide range of information to make clear and objective evidence-based recommendations to support the delivery of the organisation’s objectives.
  • Collaboration: ability to work closely with the executive board and other key stakeholders, providing support, constructive challenge and assurance as appropriate.

Desirable criteria

  • The ability to influence and align diverse stakeholders across government, business, and civil society to deliver inclusive, evidence-based strategies that improve outcomes for vulnerable groups while ensuring operational efficiency and financial sustainability.

How to apply

In order to apply you will need to create an account or sign in.

Once you are logged into your account, click on ‘apply for this role’ and follow the on-screen instructions To apply, all candidates are required to provide:

  • equality information
  • information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues
  • a Curriculum Vitae
  • a supporting statement
  • a short professional biography (150 words)

We will ask you to check and confirm your personal details to ensure your application is accurate.

You will also have the opportunity to make a reasonable adjustment request or apply under the disability confident scheme before you submit your application.