Programme Delivery Manager

Overview

As a Programme Delivery Manager at DVSA, you are a strategic leader and delivery expert, responsible for translating complex digital, data, and technology ambitions into tangible outcomes that improve road safety and public services.  

You act as the critical interface between operational teams and senior leadership, creating the conditions for exceptional delivery while safeguarding your team’s focus and wellbeing. 

Your role spans the full lifecycle of digital transformation, from shaping strategy and managing multi-disciplinary teams to ensuring that services meet user needs and align with cross-government standards such as the Service Manual and a Blueprint for Modern Digital Government.  

You lead agile delivery across large-scale, complex programmes, drawing on expertise in business analysis, user research, design, architecture, software development, data, cyber security, and testing. 

As a Programme Delivery Manager at DVSA, you are a pivotal force in delivering the agency’s mission to keep Britain moving safely and sustainably. Your leadership ensures that complex digital and operational programmes translate into real-world improvements for millions of citizens and businesses across the UK.

Additionally, you will be pivotal in delivering on wider government initiative such as:

• Reducing service fragmentation and legacy system dependency.
• Enhancing public trust through secure, accessible, and inclusive digital journeys.
• Driving operational efficiency and resilience through insourcing, automation, and data maturity.
• Supporting the Government’s ambition to save up to £45 billion annually through digital productivity gains.

Key responsibilities

Your primary responsibility is to lead and coordinate the successful delivery of complex, multi-workstream programmes that support DVSA’s strategic objectives.  

You set and maintain the pace of delivery, ensuring alignment with business priorities while adapting to evolving demands. Acting as a strategic enabler, you manage stakeholder relationships, facilitate clear communication, and balance competing departmental and external pressures to protect your team’s focus and productivity. 

You oversee resource planning, risk mitigation, and performance reporting, ensuring that delivery remains on track, within budget, and aligned with user needs. Through cross-departmental collaboration and agile leadership, you foster a culture of continuous improvement and ensure that services are operationally viable, scalable, and future-ready.  

Career path and development

To be a successful Programme Delivery Manager at DVSA, we’re looking for someone who can bring proven experience in delivering successful digital services, projects, and products using agile and DevOps practices.

You’ve led high-performing agile teams focused on delivering measurable value, even in complex or ambiguous environments.

You’re confident balancing priorities, matrix-managing multi-disciplinary teams, and influencing non-technical stakeholders.

You understand iterative software development and incremental delivery, and can coach teams on scaling models, managing dependencies, and ensuring frequent integration.

You also have strong knowledge of modern digital technologies and architectures, including open source and open standards.

DVSA is committed to supporting your professional development through a wide range of structured and flexible learning opportunities.  

These include: 

 Learning pathways and qualifications 

• Access to Civil Service Learning and Government Campus courses tailored to digital delivery, leadership, and commercial awareness. 
• Funded apprenticeships (Level 3 to Level 7) in areas such as project management, digital transformation, and business analysis—open to all permanent staff post-probation.  
• Contract management training, including foundation and gold-tier programmes, especially relevant for Programme Delivery Managers managing high-value supplier relationships.  

Career progression and talent development 

• Clear career pathways mapped through the DDaT Capability Framework, with opportunities to progress from Delivery Manager to Programme Delivery Manager and into Senior Civil Service roles. 
• Participation in the DVSA Leadership Academy, designed to build confidence, strategic thinking, and cross-functional leadership skills. 

Coaching, mentoring and community 

• Access to mentoring schemes and peer learning through the Operational Delivery Profession (ODP) and the Delivery Management Community of Practice.  

Monthly spotlight sessions, job shadowing, and secondments to broaden experience across DVSA and the wider Department for Transport family.    

Case study

“Delivering the Gov Pay integration was a great example of how bringing together stakeholders from across DVSA and Government Digital Service, applying the right level of governance, and proactively managing risks and dependencies can turn a potentially high-risk project into a smooth and successful outcome.

This work also demonstrated the importance of clear communication, resource planning, and keeping everyone aligned on deliverables and timelines to achieve the best results for our customers.”

Cara Thresh, Programme Delivery Manager