Navy Command - Appraisals Manager

Job summary

At Navy Command, we lead, support, and sustain the Royal Navy across every theatre of operations. We coordinate the people, platforms, and missions that keep the Fleet ready for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities. Together, we uphold centuries of naval tradition while driving innovation that ensures the Royal Navy’s readiness to protect our nation and secure our future.

As the authority for the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarine capability, the Submarine Directorate oversees one of the most complex and critical elements of UK defence. Covering everything from in‑service management to long‑term fleet modernisation, the directorate ensures the Submarine Flotilla remains safe, reliable, and ready to meet national security requirements.

You'll be based at HMNB Clyde, home to the UK Submarine Service. It sustains the nation’s continuous at-sea deterrent and supports the Royal Navy’s fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. As a centre of excellence for submarine operations, Clyde plays a critical role in national security and global stability.

This position is a Reserved Post within the Civil Service, for which only sole UK nationals are eligible. Under the Civil Service Nationality Rules, UK nationals include British citizens, British subjects with the right of abode in the United Kingdom, and British Overseas Territories citizens.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and highly motivated individual to join the Submarine Flotilla (SUBFLOT) as the SUBFLOT Appraisals Manager.

Based at HMNB Clyde, you will lead the Appraisals Office responsible for ensuring the timely delivery, processing and quality assurance of appraisal reports for Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel. These reports are critical to promotion, career management, command selection and commission transfer processes across the Naval Service.

As the recognised Subject Matter Expert (SME) for appraisal policy, you will provide authoritative advice to reporting officers, administrators and service personnel, while driving continuous improvement in appraisal processes and standards.

What you'll be doing:

• Lead and manage the HMNB Clyde Appraisals Team and direct the daily operation of the Appraisals Office.
• Monitor the production, quality and timeliness of appraisal reports for officers and ratings.
• Oversee the processing of appraisal reports within JPA.
• Act as the principal adviser on Naval Service appraisal policy and procedures.
• Provide expert guidance to reporting officers, unit administrators and service personnel at all levels.
• Deliver training, presentations and appraisal workshops across ships, submarines and shore establishments.
• Maintain oversight of appraisal policy developments and recommend improvements to local processes.
• Manage, develop and support civilian staff within the Appraisals Office.
• Liaise with Navy Command Headquarters, MOD departments and external stakeholders on appraisal matters.
• Support the maintenance and development of appraisal-related policy and guidance documentation.
• Champion Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) principles within appraisal processes and team management

Person specification

To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

Essential:

• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Experience managing a team and delivering against competing priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to interpret and apply complex policy and procedural guidance.
• Experience providing advice and guidance to senior stakeholders.
• Strong organisational skills with a keen eye for detail.
• Experience delivering training, presentations or briefings.
• Confidence working independently and making informed decisions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications.

The below criteria are desirable only. These will not be assessed throughout the recruitment process, but will be used in the event of tied scores between candidates

Desirable:

• Military personnel administration knowledge or experience.
• Understanding of Royal Navy or wider Defence appraisal systems and processes.
• Experience using Joint Personnel Administration (JPA).
• Knowledge of performance management and appraisal frameworks.
• Familiarity with FOI and GDPR requirements.
• Experience supporting recruitment and selection activities.

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Leadership and management capability.
• Sound judgement and decision-making skills.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Commitment to customer service and continuous improvement.
• The ability to work effectively with personnel at all ranks and grades.
• Professional integrity and discretion when handling sensitive information.

You will be an organised and confident manager who thrives in a fast-paced environment. You will be comfortable leading a specialist team, advising senior officers and ensuring that appraisal processes are delivered accurately, professionally and on time.

This role is ideally suited to someone with strong personnel management experience and an interest in supporting Naval Service career management and workforce development.

Behaviours

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

• Changing and Improving
• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,720, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,927 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service

• Market-leading employer pension contribution of 28.97%

• Personal & professional development

• Alternative working patterns for many roles

• Access to a confidential, professional support service

• Discount schemes

• Bicycle / season-ticket loans

• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave

• Special paid leave to volunteer (up to 6 days a year)

• Assisted travel scheme

In Navy Command we believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you’ll be supported through your learning journey and your career. This can include working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking an apprenticeship as part of your role.

You’ll have access to a variety of qualifications pathways ranging from GCSE/A-Level equivalent all the way up to master’s degree, depending on your role, your previous skills and your experience. Some qualifications even include “on-the-job” training which means minimal disruption to your working day but maximum impact

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised