Job Specifications
Bristol, Exeter
Job Summary
Are you passionate about supporting our food and farming industry, and helping rural communities create a better place to live?
Join the Rural Payments agency and be a part of a dynamic team dedicated to administering direct aid and rural development payments of over £2 billion annually to farmers and rural businesses in England. We are committed to world class farming and land management for the environment, food, and rural resilience.
Further information can be found on the Rural Payments Agency website here: rpa.gov.uk
Job Description
We are seeking an experienced and inspiring Operational Delivery leader to drive the successful delivery of key schemes and services across our Operational Delivery teams in Exeter, Bristol and Bridgwater within the Service Delivery directorate. You will take full accountability for performance, ensuring high quality service delivery to tight deadlines, meeting KPIs, and championing a culture of continuous improvement.
You will play a pivotal role in securing excellent outcomes for our customers, working collaboratively with colleagues across the team and wider Agency to support the delivery of all operational commitments across the organisation.
Operating in a fast paced and dynamic environment, you will balance immediate operational priorities with forward planning, guide teams through organisational and cultural change, promoting a positive, inclusive culture where individuals feel empowered, engaged and supported.
Responsibilities
As a Senior Operational Lead, you will
Provide visible leadership through organisational change, offering clarity, direction and reassurance
Champion clear communication, collaboration and effective teamwork across all locations
Create a positive, inclusive and respectful culture where colleagues feel empowered, engaged and supported
Be accountable for the delivery of schemes and services across multiple sites, ensuring high quality outcomes for customers
Lead, motivate and develop teams to deliver a quality service to tight deadlines, meeting KPIs and operational commitments
Plan and drive performance to meet current operational needs while preparing for future work
Use data and insight to inform decisions, manage performance and drive continuous improvement
Identify, manage and mitigate operational risks
Coach and develop people, identifying and nurturing future talent
Lead on HR responsibilities at team, directorate and agency level
Ensure alignment of people and work to agency priorities
Work collaboratively with colleagues across the Agency and wider Defra Group to represent Service Delivery positively and proactively
You will be expected to travel regularly to other RPA locations as part of the role
We are seeking an experienced and inspiring Operational Delivery leader to drive the successful delivery of key schemes and services across our Operational Delivery teams in Exeter, Bristol and Bridgwater within the Service Delivery directorate. You will take full accountability for performance, ensuring high quality service delivery to tight deadlines, meeting KPIs, and championing a culture of continuous improvement.
You will play a pivotal role in securing excellent outcomes for our customers, working collaboratively with colleagues across the team and wider Agency to support the delivery of all operational commitments across the organisation.
Operating in a fast paced and dynamic environment, you will balance immediate operational priorities with forward planning, guide teams through organisational and cultural change, promoting a positive, inclusive culture where individuals feel empowered, engaged and supported.
Responsibilities
As a Senior Operational Lead, you will
Provide visible leadership through organisational change, offering clarity, direction and reassurance
Champion clear communication, collaboration and effective teamwork across all locations
Create a positive, inclusive and respectful culture where colleagues feel empowered, engaged and supported
Be accountable for the delivery of schemes and services across multiple sites, ensuring high quality outcomes for customers
Lead, motivate and develop teams to deliver a quality service to tight deadlines, meeting KPIs and operational commitments
Plan and drive performance to meet current operational needs while preparing for future work
Use data and insight to inform decisions, manage performance and drive continuous improvement
Identify, manage and mitigate operational risks
Coach and develop people, identifying and nurturing future talent
Lead on HR responsibilities at team, directorate and agency level
Ensure alignment of people and work to agency priorities
Work collaboratively with colleagues across the Agency and wider Defra Group to represent Service Delivery positively and proactively
You will be expected to travel regularly to other RPA locations as part of the role
Person specifica