Scheme duration
3.5 years
Location
The specific towns and cities depend on the department you are posted to and its office locations. The Fast Stream evolves continually, so postings can vary from year to year.
As an indication, in 2026 new fast streamers were posted to government offices in the following regions: East England, East Midlands, Greater London, North East, North West, Scotland, South East, South West, Wales, West Midlands, and Yorkshire and the Humber.
On occasion, some individuals may need to move location. We aim to align postings with your preferences whenever possible; however, final decisions must support our wider business needs. Please note that Fast Streamers cannot choose their department or their specific role.
Scheme overview
On the Operational Delivery Fast Stream, receive an unparalleled experience of making a real difference by leading through others to make government policies, strategies and plans a reality. In the work that you do, you will be transforming people’s lives for the better in the largest profession in the Civil Service.
What you’ll experience
Operational Delivery roles exist at every grade within the Civil Service, including at the most senior levels and the Operational Delivery Fast Stream offers a clear career pathway for those with the desire and motivation to reach the very highest levels of the organisation.
You will gain experience and skills by working in various challenging Operational Delivery roles with the opportunity to work in different environments/ government departments – such as the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Justice, Department for Work and Pensions, HM Revenue and Customs, and the Home Office. By the end of the scheme, you will be:
- leading teams, managing operational performance, and continually improving services
- setting vision and purpose, role modelling positive leadership behaviours, managing, coaching and developing inclusive and diverse teams
- ensuring decisions and priorities made in real-time are based on evidence and analysis so that value and best service is maximised
Entry requirements
- You must be eligible to work in the UK
- You need, or expect to receive, a 2:2 or higher in any degree subject including degree apprenticeships
- Existing civil servants can apply without a degree provided you meet the criteria for the in-service route.
The benefits you’ll enjoy
- gaining experience in line management ranging from smaller operational teams to larger operational management roles
- first-hand front-line operational experience to understand the roles of the teams you will be leading
- responsibility and autonomy in impactful roles designed to better the lives of citizens
- completion of a level 6 CMI accredited qualification, with the opportunity to apply for Chartered Management Status on completion
- completion of an executive leadership course
- the opportunity to widen experience with exposure to other professions
- being a part of the largest professional community across government
- earning potential of £55,000 on graduating from the Operational Delivery Scheme
- further employment benefits include a generous annual leave offer starting at 25 days plus national holidays, access to the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, flexible working opportunities, season ticket loans, sports and social activities, childcare assistance and more
Demystifying the Operational Delivery scheme
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Supporting your learning
All fast streamers receive the same core training; alongside this you will receive specialist training unique to the Operational Delivery Fast Stream. This includes:
- a Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Level 6 in Leadership and Management qualification across years 1 & 2, tailored specifically for the Operational Delivery Fast Stream, optional extra-curricular activities such as events, mentoring, and shadowing opportunities are available through CMI
- a Policy to Delivery course supported by the Policy Profession
- an optional additional Executive Leadership Course is available in year 3.
We welcome applications from candidates of all academic backgrounds and career experiences; our strength and expertise lie in divergent thinking and creativity.
As we build a skilled, innovative and ambitious Civil Service that is equipped for the future, we are keen to attract people with degrees which reflect those different backgrounds – including those with Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) degrees.
Bryony talks about her experience on the Operational Delivery scheme, and why she chose to apply.
“The Fast Stream Operational Delivery scheme gives you the opportunity to keep people at the heart of what you do. We help to deliver government operations which impact millions of lives. You will gain experience and skills by working in various challenging operational delivery roles, which will lead to senior leadership opportunities.”
Stephanie Thompson
Year 2 fast streamer, Home Office
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Operational Delivery fast streamer, Samantha
About the scheme
As an Operational Delivery Fast Streamer, you will gain experience and skills by working in various challenging Operational Delivery roles with the opportunity to work in different environments/government departments such as the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Justice, Department for Work and Pensions, HM Revenue and Customs, and the Home Office. By the end of the scheme, you will be:
- leading and managing teams, monitoring operational performance, and continually improving services
- setting overall vision and purpose, role modelling positive leadership behaviours, managing, coaching, and developing inclusive teams
- ensuring decisions and priorities made in real-time are based on evidence and analysis so that value and best service is maximised.
We are the largest professional community within the Civil Service, with over 300,000 members. Our colleagues account for more than half of the civil service and work in vital frontline services like Job Centres, courts, tax and border control. The profession has many and varied job roles like processing, case work, telephony and enforcement.
Most interactions with the Civil Service come through operational delivery professionals. Our members are the link between the government’s policy intentions and actual improvements to the lives of everyone in the country.
The work of operational delivery professionals impacts millions of lives across the UK every day. By supporting them with skills, innovation, development and learning ODP are helping to deliver effective and high performing public services.
The ODP team supports in building the capability needed to meet the challenges the Civil Service faces. We do this by investing in people’s skills, career development and professional standards through training, mentoring, sharing knowledge and guidance
Find out more about the Operational Delivery Profession or follow us on LinkedIn to see the great and passionate work you could be part of.
As an Operational Delivery fast streamer, you will be fully supported to:
- develop into a confident, inspiring, and empowering leader; learning how to manage people and teams through on-the-job learning and an accredited CMI qualification
- lead the services that make a real difference to people’s lives every day
- experience the tangible, positive impact your work has on UK citizens
Scheme placement details
Your first year is a 12-month placement in a government department, within an operational delivery role including 4-8 weeks of front-line exposure in an operational environment. There may be line management responsibilities during this year leading and managing a small operational team.
Year 2 is a 12-month placement in a different government department, within an operational delivery role, leading and managing a team, and the opportunity to explore job shadowing, coaching or mentoring to build knowledge and skills in other professions and areas of delivery.
Year 3 is a 12-month placement in an operational delivery role within a different department. There will be large scale management responsibilities included in this year’s placement, in a complex, highly critical and challenging role.