Head of Global Services Strategy

This opportunity is in the Trade in Services Team, which sits within the USID (US, Services, Investment and Digital) Directorate in the Department’s Trade Policy, Implementation and Negotiations Group. The Services team works to deliver an ambitious services trade agenda that generates economic and commercial benefit to the UK.  

This is an important and varied role. The UK is the 2nd largest global exporter of services. In turn, Services is the fastest growing area of international trade, forecast to reach 28% of global trade by 2035. The postholder will lead a high performing team of around 20, headed up by 5 Grade 7 team leaders, to bring coherence and maximise the impact of services trade policy for the UK, bilaterally and multilaterally. 

The Global Services Strategy Branch works across DBT, Whitehall, the UK Mission in Geneva and partner countries to scope and develop mandates for Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, develop market access trade initiatives (outside of FTAs) to make it easier to trade with foreign partners, and work to tackle global challenges that create barriers to services trade.  The team also implement free trade agreements and ensure that the UK is compliant with its obligations bilaterally and multilaterally, including at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Finally, the branch oversees the services programme and external engagement, working closely with negotiation leads on how this informs policy and strategy development.

The postholder will also act as a ‘cluster lead’ for Services, Investment and Digital (SID) for the Switzerland Free Trade Agreement, ensuring policy coherence across these policy areas and the wellbeing of the negotiation team during negotiation rounds.  The priorities within the Services team do evolve and there will be further opportunities to shape the teams work according to those demands and the interests of the successful candidate.   

You will lead four sub teams, providing the vision, coaching and support that enable them to operate.  This includes working with peers and seniors to provide direction and empowerment.  Through your team you will be responsible for;

• Leading the Trade in Services overarching policy and strategy development, and the external engagement and the evidence programme which informs our approach. You will also oversee programme management to drive coherence and manage capacity across the Trade in Services team (63 people).  
• Implementing Services components of the UK’s existing FTAs and non-FTAs, including delivery of dialogues with partner countries (e.g. Enhanced Trade Partnerships, working groups, regulatory dialogues, committees), and ensuring compliance with UK obligations. You will also work to reduce market access barriers for the benefit of UK through non-FTA levers.  
• Developing the evidence base, UK approach and mandates for upcoming FTA negotiations by working across government, with government officials based overseas and through early scoping discussions with partner countries.
• Working across Whitehall and with the UK Mission in Geneva, to ensure the UK meets its obligations as a WTO member & effectively shapes services negotiations towards UK ambitions, while tackling global issues. You will also oversee the services components of discussions in other multilateral fora, such as G20 and OECD.

You will also be expected to

• Play a senior leadership role helping to build the Directorate’s presence in the Darlington Economic Campus. To do this, applicants based in locations outside Darlington will be expected to spend on average a day a week working in Feethams House (Darlington) to strengthen links amongst USID colleagues based there and ensure the needs of Darlington-based colleagues are reflected in wider Directorate decision-making. Travel costs will be funded by the Department.
• Lead Services, Investment and Digital Cluster coordination for the Switzerland Free Trade Agreement, steering the interconnected cluster to best possible outcomes for the UK.

Play an active role in the Trade in Services Senior Management Team, leading by example to set the atmosphere and culture of the wider team and covering for colleagues and seniors where required.

Hybrid Working

Candidates applying for this role may choose to be based in Darlington, London, Birmingham, Salford, Cardiff, Edinburgh or Belfast.  You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process.

Given that the majority of the 20-person team currently work in either London or Darlington successful candidates will be expected to travel to both locations on a regular basis.

Some international travel is likely to be required for this role, primarily to Switzerland.

Most DBT employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending 2-3 days a week (pro rata) in an office, on average. If your office location is London, you will be eligible to receive London weighting.

Appointments will be made to candidates in merit order based on location preferences.

Essential Criteria

• An engaging, adaptable, leadership style, which connects with people at all levels.
• Excellent strategic thinking with an ability to draw strategy and links out of complex and fast evolving contexts.
• An ability to establish yourself quickly as a recognised expert. You do not have to be a technical expert in all areas covered by the job description to excel at this role, but should be able to showcase exceptional policy development skills that will allow you to quickly pick up a new area.
• Good judgement, including the personal credibility to be a trusted advisor to Ministers and senior officials, or private sector equivalent.
• The ability to lead and manage programme delivery at pace in a high-pressured, politically uncertain environment and work with ambiguity.
• A strong track record of delivering through collaboration and partnering within government, where there are multiple interests and potentially competing viewpoints, or private sector equivalent.
• As set out in the job description, if not based in Darlington, willingness to travel regularly to DBT’s Darlington office in order to build the Directorate’s presence in this location.

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge of trade policy, economics and/or regulation.
• Experience of leading negotiations or playing a leadership role in an international environment.

Personal Attributes & Skills

• A strong team leader capable of supporting and motivating a high-performing team whilst maintaining an inclusive and happy culture.
• Confident to engage on policy detail and make effective decisions in a way that brings others with them.
• Able to engage at senior level across DBT and Whitehall to deliver.
• Proactive in seeking out opportunities to change and improve the way we deliver Services trade policy, including to prioritise and secure the highest value asks for the UK economy.

Candidate Support 

Support in applying for our vacancies is available by joining a virtual Candidate Support Session. These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview. 

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

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Job contact :

• Name : Katia BAZAR-ROSEN
• Email : Katia.Bazar-Rosen@businessandtrade.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : dbtrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk