Senior Project Managers (2 roles)

We offer great flexible working opportunities, and have offices in Belfast, Cardiff and York. Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not overseas. Travel within the UK will be required on an occasional basis, possibly with overnight stays.

Job Summary

Are you passionate about delivering projects that make a real difference? At the Food Standards Agency (FSA), we’re on a mission to ensure food you can trust —and we’re looking for two dynamic project professionals to help us do just that. We’re recruiting for two exciting roles: one permanent post in our Operational Assurance and Excellence team, and one fixed-term/loan opportunity (with the possibility, but no guarantee, of extension or permanency) in our central Project Delivery Function . Both roles offer the chance to lead and support high-impact projects and programmes that improve how we work and strengthen our ability to protect public health.

Job Description

You’ll be at the heart of project delivery—setting up and leading projects, managing teams, developing business cases, and ensuring delivery of outcomes on time, within budget, and to the highest quality. You’ll work closely with senior stakeholders, manage risks and interdependencies, and ensure benefits are realised and sustained. These roles are ideal for candidates who thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and are confident navigating complex change. What makes our teams special is our culture. We’re friendly, inclusive groups that value open dialogue, mutual respect, and shared purpose. We support each other, challenge ideas constructively, and take pride in delivering projects and change that sticks. You’ll be joining teams that are not only focused on delivery—but on doing it the right way. We’re looking for adaptable, people-focused professionals with a proactive mindset and a passion for continuous improvement. If you’re ready to lead by example, influence others, and help shape projects at the FSA, we’d love to hear from you.

Working pattern guidance

If applying as a job share partnership you should both complete separate application forms on Civil Service Jobs but should make it clear that you are applying as job sharers. Further details on job sharing can be found here JSF – What is the recruitment process for job sharers? , Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk) Applicants who wish to work compressed hours are welcome to apply - however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

Please read before applying

This campaign is to recruit to one permanent post and one temporary Fixed Term/Loan appointment post until 31 March 2026 with the possibility, but no guarantee, of extension or permanency. Candidates that are already established Civil Servants or from non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) will come to the FSA on a Loan basis and must request permission from their Home Department for the Loan prior to applying for this vacancy.

Note for FSA employees

You must seek approval from your substantive manager before applying for any non-permanent vacancy - please refer to the ‘Temporary internal appointments framework’ on the FSA intranet for more details. Please note that if applying for a temporary post within the FSA or elsewhere on promotion, successful appointment will not automatically result in a permanent promotion - you will revert to your current substantive grade at the end of the Fixed Term or Loan period (unless funding has been approved to make the post permanent).

Person specification

Please read the attached Candidate Pack to discover further details about the role, our organisation, who we are looking for and the criteria we will assess against during the selection process. We look forward to receiving your application and wish you every success.

Qualifications

Qualifications: A recognised project delivery qualification such as: PRINCE2 Practitioner PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner Agile Project Management Practitioner APM Practitioner Qualification APM Registered Project Professional OR relevant experience of leading medium complexity projects.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Seeing the Big Picture Leadership

Alongside your salary of £56,037, Food Standards Agency contributes £16,233 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Our candidate pack details the benefits that the FSA has to offer. Please also refer to the attached Terms and Conditions statement.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience. Full details of the selection process are detailed in the attached candidate pack.

Application and shortlisting

You will be asked to provide personal details (not seen by the Panel) and to confirm your eligibility to apply for the role. Technical : You will be asked a question to confirm that you meet the Technical requirements of the role. A recognised project delivery qualification such as: PRINCE2 Practitioner PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner Agile Project Management Practitioner APM Practitioner Qualification APM Registered Project Professional OR relevant experience of leading medium complexity projects. If you cannot answer yes to this question – you will not be able to proceed further with your application. You will then be asked to complete an application which will be used to assess you against the following essential criteria.

Experience

Essential criteria Lead criteria: Proven track record of leading a complex project (or projects) to successful delivery to agreed time, cost and quality. Demonstrable experience of establishing and implementing proportionate project delivery principles to the quality standard required to assure project deliverables (e.g. Business cases, risk management, benefits realisation etc). Demonstrable experience of driving forward change through identifying challenges, finding solutions and enabling others to succeed. Demonstrable experience of working with/influencing stakeholders to help them define their requirements.

Technical (Assessed via Qualifications section or content of lead criteria and personal statements)

A recognised project delivery qualification such as: PRINCE2 Practitioner PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner Agile Project Management Practitioner APM Practitioner Qualification APM Registered Project Professional OR relevant experience of leading medium complexity projects.

Lead Criteria

An initial sift will take place on the Lead Criteria. In the event that we receive a large number of applications, the minimum pass mark for the Lead Criteria may be raised at shortlisting stage. Candidates who apply under the DCS, GPTW or RIS schemes and meet the minimum requirements will be unaffected by the pass mark raise.

Interview

If successful at shortlisting stage, you will be invited to a final interview in which we will assess you against the following Technical and Strengths requirements of the role and Civil Service Behaviours.

Behaviours

Seeing the Big Picture (Assessed via Seen presentation) Leadership

Technical

Planning: Ability to define the fundamental components of a project in terms of its scope, deliverables timescales, resource requirements and budget. It also includes the production of broader plans incorporating risk and quality to provide a consolidated overview of a project.

Governance: Ability to clearly define roles, responsibilities and accountabilities and establish controls and approval routes appropriate to each stage of the project to monitor project progress and compliance.

Risk and Issue Management: Ability to systematically identify and monitor risks and issues, planning how to mitigate / respond to those risks and issues and implementing responses.

Strengths

We will also assess you against a number of Civil Service Strengths – these are not disclosed prior to interview.

Assessment exercise

As part of the interview process, you will be asked to **prepare a seen presentation. Further information will be provided to you on the invitation to interview email.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application or used during interview, including your CV and any statements or examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.

Expected Timeline

Advert closes: 23 June 2025 (23:55) Sift: Expected to take place 24 – 27 June 2025 Final panel interview: Expected to take place during week commencing 7 July 2025 Interviews will be held remotely via MS Teams. (If you do not have the Microsoft Teams application installed on your computer, you can join on the web without installing the application).

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to the Food Standards Agency 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

Reserve List

A reserve list will be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointment may be made. Candidates that do not pass the interview but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.

Visa Sponsorship

Please note that the FSA does not hold a licence to sponsor any visa applications and we are unable to provide any advice about visas.

Making a complaint

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated fairly in accordance with the principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should email the FSA’s Director of People at jo.bushnell@food.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in a new window) checks. Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in a 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.

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).

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 a 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 : Sian Bowers Email : sian.bowers@food.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : hr.recruitment.campaigns@food.gov.uk

Further information

If you wish to raise a complaint then please email hr.recruitment.campaigns@food.gov.uk in the first instance.