Chief Officer - Department of Education, Sports & Culture

About the role
The Department of Education, Sport and Culture (DESC) plays a central role in the social, economic and cultural life of the Isle of Man, with responsibility for education from primary through to further and higher education, sport and physical activity through to Manx Sport and Recreation, and a stewardship of key cultural venues including the Gaiety Theatre and the Villa Marina.

As Chief Officer, you will be the most senior civil servant in the Department, accountable for strategic leadership across a broad, high‑profile portfolio with a direct impact on Island residents and communities. Working at the heart of Government, you will set clear direction, ensure strong governance and performance, and lead delivery in line with wider Government priorities.

This role requires an experienced executive leader, capable of operating confidently in a politically led environment and providing trusted advice and assurance to elected Members. You will hold overall accountability for one of the Isle of Man Government’s largest and most complex Departments, leading over 2,000 staff, managing an annual budget in excess of £150m, and overseeing the Island’s 32 primary schools, five secondary schools and University College Isle of Man, alongside sport, leisure and cultural services.

You will be accountable for ensuring services are sustainable, high-performing and responsive to Government priorities across the whole department. Working closely with senior colleagues across Government, you will drive improvement, manage change and ensure services are sustainable and high‑performing.

You will be a visible, credible and trusted leader, able to inspire confidence, build strong relationships and provide assurance that all services are being delivered to a consistently high standard and in the best interests of the Isle of Man community.

A workplace that invests in you
✔ A competitive salary that increases each 12 months until you reach the salary maximum.
✔ A generous annual leave entitlement, a Privilege Day and 10 Bank Holidays; your annual leave will increase after your first year and again after your third year.
✔ A flexi-time scheme where you can accrue additional time worked to take as leave.
✔ Subject to meeting eligibility criteria, the IOM Public Service offers two pension arrangements: the Isle of Man Government Unified Scheme 2011 or the Isle of Man Government Defined Contribution (DC) Arrangement.
✔ Access to the Learning, Education and Development training facility, which is exclusively for Public Service employees, to keep on top of your continuous professional development.
✔ Discounted access to the NSC gym and island swimming pools as well as 1-to-1 support programmes and exercise classes with qualified instructors.
✔ Free access to the Isle of Man Government Staff Welfare Service which offers professional counselling, emotional support and sign-posting on a wide range of issues.
✔ Access to the Isle of Man Public Service Cycle to Work scheme after your first year of employment.
✔ Free car parking.
✔ You will be based at Thie Slieau Whallian, an award-winning sustainable building offering an amazing office workspace and outdoor area.
✔ A relocation package of up to £10,000 based on receipts is available for this role.

Making the Isle of Man your new home
A hidden gem in the Irish Sea, the Isle of Man boasts an extensive coastline, stunning natural landscapes and unspoilt beaches. There are an abundance of opportunities and lots of places to discover!

You can visit our great cafes, bars and restaurants, and become part of the Island’s close-knit community. The island is well connected to the UK with quick, direct flights and ferries to many destinations.

Want to find out more about Island life? Visit www.locate.im to find out why you should make your move to the Isle of Man!

Working for the Isle of Man Public Service
We are the largest employer on the island delivering a diverse range of services to the people of the Isle of Man. We care, nurture and value our employees’ wellbeing, development and career and place great importance on rewarding the commitment by our wonderful employees.

The Isle of Man Public Service is committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates equality, diversity and inclusion. We understand how a wide range of views and experiences can benefit us as we work together for the Isle of Man.

Your candidate experience is important to us. As a proud member of The Circle Back Initiative, we commit to respond to every applicant that applies for an Isle of Man Public Service role.

We are committed to achieving net zero by 2050 and as an entire nation UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, we are transforming public services for a sustainable future where your contributions will directly benefit our community, economy and environment.

Things to note
A security clearance check is required for this post, the cost of which will be covered by the Isle of Man Government.

Ready to apply?

Our recruitment partners, Tile Hill, are on hand to answer any questions you may have about this role, please get in touch with Anita Denton – 07725 554802 / anita.denton@tile-hill.co.uk or Amin Aziz – 07436 146281 / amin.aziz@tile-hill.co.uk

Closing date: Midnight on Tuesday 17th November

To apply:
To apply, please submit an up-to-date copy of your CV (three sides of A4 maximum), along with a supporting statement (three sides of A4 maximum) detailing your experience, and achievements and addressing the key criteria for the role set out on this site and using examples to demonstrate how you meet the requirements. Documents should be uploaded via our website, please include and upload the below information in two documents only. If you experience any issues whilst applying, please contact matthew.ashby@tile-hill.co.uk

Applications must include:

• Full contact details
• Names, positions, organisations and contact details for two referees (we will ask your permission before contacting referees);
• Details of your notice period;
• Notification of any dates when you are not available for interview.

At Tile Hill, we are committed to inclusion and accessibility. We champion and support all individuals to ensure everyone feels valued, listened to and motivated to get the very best out of each recruitment process and that processes are designed to meet the needs of individuals. If you have any specific requests and would like a confidential discussion with the Tile Hill team, then please email inclusion@tile-hill.co.uk

If the organisation we’re representing is a member of the Disability Confident Scheme and you’d like to apply under the scheme, please mention this clearly in bold at the top of your supporting statement. If there are any adjustments that would support you during the application or interview process, please let us know.