The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is currently recruiting across a wide range of roles in the North East of England, with salaries reaching up to £123,500 per year. Opportunities span digital, policy, security, and operational roles, reflecting the department’s scale as the UK’s largest public service organisation.
Positions are available in Newcastle and other locations, with a mix of office-based, hybrid, and remote working arrangements. Application deadlines vary, with many closing between early and mid-April.
The current recruitment round includes both entry-level and senior leadership roles. Salaries range from around £27,844 for customer-facing positions to over £100,000 for senior executive roles.
The diversity of roles highlights demand for skills in technology, cybersecurity, finance, and service delivery, alongside specialist areas such as occupational psychology.
Roles
Below is a selection of key vacancies and salary ranges:
| Role | Salary Range | Closing Date |
|---|---|---|
| Area Director | £100,000 – £123,500 | April 7 |
| Lead Enterprise Architect | £75,026 – £99,836 | April 5 |
| Lead Technical Architect | £75,026 – £99,836 | April 12 |
| Senior Cyber Security Risk Manager | £57,946 – £78,205 | April 6 |
| Senior Infrastructure Engineer | £57,946 – £73,205 | April 6 |
| SCS1 Finance Deputy Director | £81,000 – £93,000 | April 6 |
| Work Psychologist | £34,503 – £41,625 | April 8 |
| Principal Occupational Psychologist | £63,741 – £72,723 | April 12 |
| Associate Digital Portfolio Manager | £38,772 – £39,621 | April 12 |
| QA Tester | £38,772 – £39,621 | April 5 |
| Backup & Recovery Infrastructure Engineer | £44,447 – £52,442 | April 5 |
| Senior Security Project Delivery Manager | £44,447 – £46,547 | April 7 |
| Root Cause Analysis Senior Leader | £44,447 – £51,582 | April 14 |
| Internal Abuse Monitoring Analyst | £38,772 – £39,621 | April 14 |
| Telephony Caseworker | £27,844 | April 15 |
Additional specialist and technical roles are also available, particularly in cloud infrastructure, DevOps, and enterprise security.
HighPay
The highest-paying role currently listed is the Area Director for Scotland, Cumbria and North East England, offering up to £123,500 annually.
This is a senior leadership position responsible for overseeing large operational teams and delivering services that affect millions of people. The role also includes national-level responsibilities, such as improving service delivery, addressing fraud and error, and supporting employment initiatives.
Other high-paying roles include Lead Enterprise Architect and Lead Technical Architect positions, both offering salaries approaching £100,000. These roles focus on system design, integration, and long-term technology strategy.
Tech
A significant portion of vacancies falls within digital and technology functions. Roles such as QA Tester, Infrastructure Engineer, and DevOps-focused positions reflect ongoing investment in digital services.
For example, the Backup and Recovery Infrastructure Engineer role involves working with cloud-based systems and ensuring compliance with technical and security standards. Similarly, DevOps roles focus on building scalable, resilient systems using modern tools and automation.
These positions often require collaboration across multidisciplinary teams, including architects, product managers, and site reliability engineers.
Security
Cybersecurity and risk management remain key priorities. Roles such as Senior Cyber Security Risk Manager and enterprise security leadership positions involve assessing risks, translating technical issues into business insights, and advising senior decision-makers.
These positions typically require both technical expertise and the ability to communicate complex risks in a clear and structured way.
Policy
Policy and finance roles also feature prominently. The SCS1 Finance Deputy Director position involves working closely with HM Treasury on major fiscal decisions, including budgets and spending reviews.
This role plays a central part in shaping how public funds are allocated, making it one of the more strategically significant positions currently available.
Support
Customer-facing and operational roles continue to form a core part of DWP recruitment. The Child Maintenance Service Telephony Caseworker role, for example, focuses on supporting families through direct communication.
While the salary is lower compared to technical roles, these positions are essential for delivering frontline public services.
Deadlines
Application deadlines vary by role, with many closing between April 5 and April 21. Candidates are advised to review specific requirements and submit applications before the stated deadlines.
Given the range of opportunities, applicants with different experience levels and skill sets may find suitable roles within this recruitment cycle.
The current vacancies reflect the DWP’s broad operational scope and its continued investment in digital transformation, service delivery, and infrastructure. For job seekers in the North East, the range of roles and salary levels provides multiple entry points into public sector careers, from early-stage positions to senior leadership roles.
FAQs
What is the highest DWP salary listed?
Up to £123,500 for Area Director.
Where are these jobs based?
Mainly in Newcastle and North East UK.
Are remote roles available?
Yes, some roles offer hybrid or remote work.
When do applications close?
Between April 5 and April 21.
