Data manager, Better Futures Fund

Job summary

The role we are recruiting for sits within the Impact Economy Team in the Civil Society and Youth directorate. The team has a responsibility for mobilising innovative sources of philanthropic and private capital alongside government spending. This has primarily been in support of encouraging a financially sustainable Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector.

The team is driven by a commitment to improving outcomes for communities, increasing the impact of the sector through innovation and championing what works, improving civil society access to funding, and unlocking and growing non-government sources of finance.

We are firmly committed to our people, and this is reflected in our values. We work hard to build an environment that is diverse and inclusive, as well as warm, friendly and collaborative; where each member of staff can flourish, feel comfortable being themselves at work, develop their skills and move their career forward.

Job description

We are seeking a Data Manager to join a new, £500 million major Government programme, the Better Futures Fund (BFF). It is the biggest programme of its kind in the world, cementing the UK Government’s leadership on the use of ‘social outcomes partnerships’. It’s the innovative financial mechanism that forms a social outcomes partnership that makes the BFF unique, and a demonstration of how the Government is working with the Impact Economy. The BFF is a 10 year fund that aims to help address child poverty - supporting up to 200,000 children. It builds on previous pilots led by DCMS to incentivise partnerships bringing organisations together at the local level, ensuring a tailored approach to meet each individual's unique set of (often complex) needs. It also ensures outcomes are achieved through a partnership with social investors. The role will oversee the data capture design and data platform implementation for the BFF. It will work with analysts internally and external stakeholders to understand the BFF’s data needs and aims, then develop the tools to achieve those aims.

This role suits a collaborative and innovative individual who is keen to work on a new complex programme that is not the usual way government does business. The Data Manager will help to empower the policy team with tools that provide a clear indication of the impact of BFF projects. This will principally involve the implementation of a data platform/strategy which builds on previous work and that captures inputs from frontline teams. Through the development of interactive tools, such as dashboards and reports, the policy team can build their knowledge of what works. In turn, the Data Manager will work with evaluators to design an evaluation that is fed directly by BFF data, to gain a deeper, more transparent understanding of the BFF’s overall impact.

Person specification

The ideal candidate would have the following key skills and experience, please note that desirable skills will only be used in the event of tied candidates.

Essential Requirements

• Data science knowledge and experience, including those with experience in operational research and/or data analysis roles who can make data useable and accessible.
• Leadership ability; this role will be expected to lead a project to implement a data capture system, delivering through others to ensure a successful outcome.
• Working together - Building highly effective, influential and collaborative relationships as well as securing the confidence of senior leaders.
• Delivering at Pace - Able to work well under own initiative, tracking and completing tasks with limited supervision.
• Communicating and Influencing - Being able to explain complex issues with clarity and adapting to responses and opinions of others.

Desirable Skills

• Database design experience or desire to gain this - knowledge of Salesforce could be a particular asset.
• Experience of working in Impact Economy related sectors such as social investment, philanthropy, voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations.

Essential Qualifications As part of the application process, you will be asked to confirm your current analytical profession (GORS or GSG), or indicate if you are applying to become badged in one of these professions.

To be eligible, you must either:

• Be a badged member of one of the analytical professions: GORS or GSG
• Meet the eligibility criteria to become badged in one of these professions and hold one of these qualifications:
• GORS:A 2:1 (or a 2:2 with relevant work experience or a postgraduate qualification) in a highly numerate subject. Numerate subjects typically include Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Operational Research, Engineering, or joint/mixed degrees where at least 50% of the modules are highly numerate.
• GSG: A first- or second-class honours degree (2:2 minimum for standard roles, 2:1 minimum for the Fast Stream) in a numerate subject containing taught statistical content (e.g., Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Psychology, Geography) OR a postgraduate degree (MSc/PhD) with formal statistical training.

If you are not currently a member of the GORS or GSG, you will also be required to complete an online test to assess your suitability. This test will be administered after you have submitted your full application. You will receive an invitation via email containing the test details and the deadline for completion after you will submit your full application.

Please note: Failure to complete the test or meet the deadline will result in your application not being progressed further.

We are running an information session where prospective applicants can find out more about the role. This will be hosted by James Magowan, and will take place on: 3rd June 2026 at 11am

The session will be an opportunity to hear more about the role, the team and wider directorate and the department. It will also be an opportunity for you to ask any questions.

Please register your interest by filling out this Registration form and you will be sent an invitation. Invites will only be sent after this deadline has passed.

Please note that the session will not be recorded and will not focus on the DCMS recruitment process - please direct any queries that you have on this topic (timelines, reasonable adjustments, onboarding etc) to resourcing.team@dcms.gov.uk

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

Technical skills

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

• “Acquiring Data and understanding customers needs” and “Presenting and disseminating data effectively” (Grade 7) GSG Competency Framework
• “Knowledge and application of OR and “Achieving Impact with Analysis” in the GORS Technical Framework (Grade 7) Prior to the interview you will be sent the behaviour questions in advance.