Head of Business Cases

The Government Property Agency is the largest property holder in government, with more than £2.1 billion in property assets and over 55% of the government’s office estate.

We are transforming the way the Civil Service works by creating great places to work, leading the largest commercial office programme in the UK, working towards halving carbon emissions from government offices, and achieving greater value for taxpayers. And we are looking for innovative, solutions-focused people to join our team.

Representing the best covenant in the UK – His Majesty’s Government – we are leading significant transformational programmes such as the Government Hubs Programme, Whitehall Campus Programme and Net Zero Programme. We are also delivering cost-effective property services such as asset management, lifecycle replacement and workplace services.

Innovation and progress underpin our behaviours. We foster a culture of lifelong learning, where curiosity and self-improvement are encouraged. Our four core values are at the heart of everything we do. They shape our culture and guide how we work, lead and grow together:

• Striving for excellence – We always aim to deliver great results
• Empowering through respect – We insist on fair treatment for all, always
• Acting with integrity – We consistently do the right thing
• Succeeding together – We rely on each other to achieve success

The GPA is committed to representing the communities we serve by making Diversity, Equality and Inclusion part of everything we do.

To ensure that we are always recruiting and retaining a diverse mix of talent, we are particularly inviting applications from candidates who are disabled, ethnically or gender diverse, and people who identify as being part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Join our dynamic and diverse team that leads with purpose, improving sustainability, nurturing social value, driving inclusivity and flexibility, and kickstarting economic growth. We are driven by purpose, and you can be part of it too: where you make a meaningful impact; where you influence; where your voice really matters; where you help to shape our future direction.

The Investment Directorate leads on Capital property portfolio investment on behalf of the GPA. Working with the portfolio planning team, the Head of Business Cases owns the approvals process and creates and maintains a strong business case to justify the necessary investment in a project, leading a team, aligned with GPA priorities. They will lead the team to determine whether the project is, and remains, desirable, viable, and achievable, supported by strong evidence. They will lead the team to identify benefits and work with finance benefits colleagues to maintain the benefits strategy. They will also lead the approvals governance process to ensure business cases are approved and projects can be initiated.

Business case writing – Leads the planning, development, and drafting of business cases. Is ready to challenge expert input and ensure compliance with organisational and Treasury requirements. Uses insights from similar projects to guide the preparation of business cases.

Business case support – Creates and provides guidance to stakeholders on business case requirements and development using organisational templates and the HMT 5 case model. Designs new templates that align with business needs.

Business case governance – Presents the business case rationale to senior managers and governance forums. Collaborates with key stakeholders to anticipate and address issues and delays while engaging with senior management.

Seeing the bigger picture – Ensures all relevant organisational factors for change are included within a comprehensive business case and provides a clear rationale for preferred options

Configuration management – Leads the adoption of configuration management techniques to maintain the business case’s validity throughout the project life cycle, and updates sponsors as needed.

Benefits – Leads engagement with stakeholders to identify, define, and quantify benefits. Negotiates with stakeholders to agree on key benefits and work with senior sponsors to ensure their expectations are met.

Stakeholder management – Manages and engages with key stakeholders to support business case production and ensure alignment with benefits realisation.

Digital and data – Using digital tools applies data analytics to develop robust business cases, assess project viability and track benefits realisation.

This role will suit an individual with a background in public sector business case creation or review, and in a complex project or portfolio environment. As capital project funding is subject to Spending Reviews, the individual must be comfortable working in an ambiguous environment.

The individual must have team management and leadership experience and be able to engage a variety of stakeholders at any level of seniority, and to credibly engage and put across a well supported set of arguments as part of the business cases and benefits realisation plans while preserving GPA’s investment and delivery reputation.

Working level of competence in all aspects of business cases, such as estimating/forecasting, investment appraisal and benefits, commercial strategy, planning, risk management and assurance, and strategy are required.

Experience & Technical Skills

Essential criteria:

• Experience of working in a complex project environment and understanding of complex information
• Experience of benefits management
• Experience in drafting high value business cases and securing approval, ideally from HMT
• Experience in estimating/forecasting, investment appraisal and benefits, commercial strategy, planning, risk management and assurance, and strategy are required.
• Experience of team management
• Excellent communication and engagement skills

Desirable criteria:

• Working in a property or construction environment

Qualifications & Accreditations

Essential criteria:

The successful candidate must have at least one of the following:

• APMG Better Business cases Practitioner
• APM Chartered Project Professional
• APM Project Management Qualification
• Management of Portfolios Practitioner
• Managing Successful Programmes Practitioner
• PMI Project Management Professional
• Project Leadership Programme

You will need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of security vetting being undertaken for the role, which for CTC is 3 years UK residency, SC is 5 years UK residency, and DV is 10 years UK residency.

If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the recruitment team prior to submitting your application.

The successful candidate must have at least one of the following:

APMG Better Business cases Practitioner
APM Chartered Project Professional
APM Project Management Qualification
Management of Portfolios Practitioner
Managing Successful Programmes Practitioner
PMI Project Management Professional
Project Leadership Programme

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Delivering at Pace

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Customer Perspective
• Commercial Acumen
• Property Market Knowledge
• Innovation
• Presentation