Job Introduction
British Transport Police (BTP) are recruiting for a Head of Drones Programme for a 12-month fixed term contract. The role is paying £69,516.58 plus £3177.65 London Allowance per annum and will be based at our Force Headquarters in London. This role offers a blended approach of home and office-working.
BTP are the Guardians of the Railway with a bold and ambitious vision to be a world-leading police force that delivers a safe and reliable rail network for all. We are a national police force covering the rail network throughout Great Britain, including the London Underground, ensuring the safety and security of nearly 3 billion passenger journeys and over 100 million tons of freight every year.
As Head of Drones Programme, you will be responsible for the effective direction, management and delivery of the BVLOS Drone Programme. This is a critical leadership role within BTP’s A Force on The Move (AFOTM) portfolio and will have a particular focus on leading on industry liaison and business development.
As Head of Drones Programme, you will be required to:
- Lead the overarching programme strategy and direction with an aim of delivering an effective, compliant and safe BVLOS drone capability for the force in financial year 2025/2026.
- Lead the design, direction and implementation of a new ‘Single Operating Model’ for BTP Drone operations, working in close collaboration with existing drone staff, senior internal stakeholders and business change representatives.
- Manage and direct Project Manager(s) working on the development and delivery of programme work streams in line with the high-level responsibilities of this role.
- Support the effective delivery of wider Force and BTPA activity including Strategic Workforce Planning, Medium Term Financial Plan, Quarterly Strategy Reporting, Policing Plan and Strategy refresh.
- Engage in senior level stakeholder liaison and engagement including but not limited to aviation, regulatory, government, the NPCC, Network Rail etc.
Further information about this vacancy can be found in the attached job description.
The successful Head of Drones Programme will be required to evidence the following:
- Extensive senior leadership and management experience, ideally within a Blue Light service or equivalent.
- Proven understanding of exploiting drones research and horizon planning trends as well as changing government legislation and incorporating into all aspects of integrated drones delivery planning.
- Significant experience at a senior level within the planning landscape preferably gained within policing, the public sector or comparable organisations.
- Extensive experience in managing multiple large teams across a broad range of responsibilities/duties.
- High levels of interpersonal skills to both lead a team and engage with seniors up to and including Chief Constable level.
- Developed negotiating skills, which are required for dealing with large procurement/contractor relationships and resolving issues with third-party providers.
- Experience in presenting to large audiences with differing levels of knowledge.
- Ability to manage multiple work streams at the same time, prioritising the key issues.
If you are interested in applying to the role, then please submit a cover letter along with a copy of your most up-to-date CV.
The closing date and time for applications to be submitted is Tuesday 3rd December 2024 at 11:59pm.
Shortlisted candidates will first be invited to attend a people panel during the week commencing Monday 9th December 2024 and then will be invited to attend an interview during the week commencing Monday 16th December 2024.
In return for your experience, we can offer you:
- £69,516.58 plus £3177.65 London Allowance per annum
- Yearly base salary increments (subject to satisfactory performance in previous PDR year)
- Working from home allowance available to purchase suitable equipment for blended & home working
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Family friendly policies including up to 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave
- Bespoke benefits platform and access to Blue Light Card
- Development opportunities including fully funded apprenticeships
- Employee assistance programme and dedicated wellbeing hub
- Excellent pension scheme
BTP is an employer who cares about the impact we have on the environment and the wider challenges of climate change, and as such we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and achieving Net Zero Carbon (NZC) through offsetting by 2035.
At BTP we are proud guardians of the railway and it is crucial that we represent the diverse communities we serve and protect. As ‘One BTP’ across the UK, we know that diversity, inclusion and belonging help us improve our decision making, foster creativity and drive innovation so all our people can thrive.
Our vacancies are open to everyone and all appointments are made based on merit. So that we can become more diverse we encourage applications from candidates from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds, women, people who have a disability, those who are neurodiverse and persons who identify as LGBTQI+. We use positive action to encourage potential candidates from underrepresented groups through targeted workshops or advice sessions. If you have the skills, experience and values that here in BTP we pride ourselves on then we would welcome you to apply.
For more information on Positive Action please click here or email the team on PART-Recruitment@btp.police.uk
If you have any questions about the application process, please email our friendly and helpful team where we will be happy to help you: RecruitmentTeam@btp.police.uk. If your question is in relation to equality or diversity then you can also contact our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team directly at: PART-Recruitment@btp.police.uk To reassure you, anything you ask us will be in the strictest confidence and will not form part of your application.
In order to apply, you must have the permanent right to live and work in the UK and have been resident in the UK for the previous 5 years. You will be asked these and other questions to determine your eligibility to work for British Transport Police when you start your application and you must answer honestly.
BTP GPP Police Staff Pension Scheme is administered by Royal London and this is a group personal pension plan which is available to all police staff. It’s a defined contribution scheme, offering employees the flexibility to vary their pension contributions from 4.4% to 12% of their salary. For more information, visit the Royal London dedicated pension page or email us at Pension-Queries@btp.police.uk .Please note if you are an existing member of Police Staff in the RPS your pension will not be affected.
