Director of Strategy

This is a critical role at the heart of DSIT, a new department with an exciting and far-reaching remit to deliver stronger growth, better jobs and bold discoveries through our investments in science, technology and innovation. This role is a fantastic opportunity to help deliver our exciting mission and achieve real change in economic growth, people’s lives and the UK’s security and resilience, working collaboratively with Ministers, the Executive Committee and a brilliant SCS team. 

You will ensure that DSIT is delivering on the S&T framework and on our core departmental objectives, working closely and collaboratively with Ministers, across DSIT, Government and with partners in the wider public, private and third sectors to inform our approach and to deliver.  You will champion cross-Whitehall engagement on the Government’s Science and Technology Framework and help DSIT to “see round corners”, working closely with partners to scan for risks and opportunities. You will lead an excellent team to deliver high-quality support to the Department through private office, governance, partnerships and strategy coordination functions. As you would expect in a new department that needs to be agile in response to the science, technology and innovation agenda, there is scope to evolve the role over the months ahead.

Applications are welcome from the representative of the broad range of views and backgrounds we have in society. In return, DSIT can offer you the challenge and stretch you need to develop your career and reach your full potential.

This is a critical role at the heart of the new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). The Strategy Director will play a highly-influential role in the new Department, shaping its mission and objectives and helping translate its exciting remit into real impact and groundbreaking changes that improve productivity, growth and people’s lives across the country. DSIT was created by the Prime Minister with an ambitious mission to cement the UK’s place as a Science and Technology Superpower

The Strategy Director works with Ministers, the Executive team and the wider Department on DSIT’s core strategy, balancing short-term policy demands with a long-term perspective to ensure the department adds up to more than the sum of its parts. The Director helps to shape and set direction on a policy brief that is evolving at speed and in ways that are changing lives already. The role is also outward-facing and works across Whitehall, on behalf of the DSIT Secretary of State, to deliver the cross-government Science and Technology Framework and support the Prime Minister-chaired National Science & Technology Council.

This is a high-profile and rewarding role with significant opportunity to shape how DSIT and Whitehall respond to the challenges and opportunities of the increasing geo-political importance and impact of science and technology. It is a networked role and effective collaboration is central to success. The post-holder will build trusted relationships and have the confidence of a wide range of internal (Ministers, ExCo, Non-Executive Directors, the Government Chief Scientific Adviser and new National Technology Adviser) and external (Cabinet Office, Departments, key external industry and academic partners) stakeholders and peers.

The successful candidate will be a highly effective and collaborative leader, setting direction for diverse and high-performing teams and supporting them to deliver on stretching and challenging roles. As a member of DSIT’s SCS team, you will be expected to lead in line with our organisational values: Think Big, Cultivate Curiosity, Value People and Create Connections. 

High-level strategic thinking skills and a proven ability to translate goals into delivery at pace are essential for the role. We are also looking for objectivity, having an ability to ‘see round corners’, good political antenna and a talent for making things happen in fast-changing and resource-constrained environments.

The successful candidate will demonstrate an ability to think big and engage widely – within the Department, across Whitehall, with industry and academia and internationally. We are looking for challenge, collaboration and entrepreneurship combined with a strong focus on delivery and impact to ensure DSIT delivers on its ambitious mission. It is a great opportunity to shape the government’s work to deliver stronger growth, better jobs and bolder discoveries.

Key duties that the candidate will be responsible for:

• Leading a team of c.100 people (Strategy, S&T Framework, Private Office – Secretary of State, Ministers, special advisers and Permanent Secretary – and Partnership teams).
• Supporting the Permanent Secretary, Executive team and Ministers to develop and deliver the Departmental vision, strategy and priorities that make the most of bringing together the R&D ecosystem with general purpose technologies and some of the most innovative UK sectors. 
• Leading cross-Government coordination of HMG’s Science & Technology Framework and supporting the National Science & Technology Council to drive implementation of its priorities. 
• Providing cross-cutting support on priority policy issues for the Department, including working with national security teams in the department, 
• Working in close partnership with strategic finance, analysis and HR to help the department make strategic choices within its financial envelope, including shaping how the Department responds to fiscal events.
• Leading on horizon scanning work for the department, looking to potential medium and long-term challenges in science, technology and innovation, working closely with policy teams and external experts. 
• Leading the ministerial private offices and support teams to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the department; and ensure we are building the right systems for delivery. 
• Oversee the department’s partnership arrangements with its ALBs and leading strategic engagement with ALB boards, working with sponsor teams across the Department. 
• Oversee funding and resourcing arrangements for DSIT’s corporate governance team and Permanent Secretary’s office.
• Lead the honours and appointments teams to ensure recognition of our exceptional scientists, technologists, innovators, entrepreneurs and industry partners in the Science, Innovation and Technology community. 

As a senior leader in the Department, you will be expected to play an active role in the ongoing corporate management and development of the organisation, including as a member of the Executive Committee and Departmental Board. 

What we are looking for – skills, experience and qualifications: 

Essentials:

• An empowering and inspiring senior leader able to work collegiately and collaboratively within and across organisational boundaries with a track record of developing, motivating and successfully leading diverse, high performing teams, and working well with senior stakeholders and peers. 
• Highly developed strategic analysis and negotiation capabilities to maximise delivery opportunities in partnership with multiple stakeholder and customer groups, providing a quality service that supports achievement of priorities.
• Excellent judgement with strong skills in spotting, understanding and managing risk well. 
• Excellent comms skills with a proven track record of influencing effectively at senior levels, both internally and externally, in an environment where there are complex partnerships with competing / conflicting priorities. 
• A successful track record of working across a complex set of senior stakeholder relationships and working collaboratively to achieve tangible outcom

Desirable:

• Enthusiasm and interest in one or more areas of science, technology and innovation 

Whatever your role, we take your career and development seriously, and want to enable you to build a really successful career with the Department and wider Civil Service. It is crucial that our employees have the right skills to develop their careers and meet the challenges ahead. You’ll benefit from a wide range of training and development opportunities, regular performance and development reviews to ensure this development is ongoing. As a Civil Service employee, you’ll be entitled to a large range of benefits.

This includes:

∙25 days annual leave on entry, increasing on a sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service. This is in addition to 8 public holidays and one day’s leave for the King’s birthday.

∙A competitive contributory pension scheme that you can enter as soon as you join where we will make a significant contribution to the cost of your pension; where your contributions come out of your salary before any tax is taken; and where your pension will continue to provide valuable benefits for you and your family if you are too ill to continue to work or die before you retire;

∙Flexible working patterns including part-time or time-term working and access to Flexible Working Schemes allowing you to vary your working day as long as you work your total hours;

∙Generous paid maternity and paternity leave which is notably more than the statutory minimum offered by many other employers;

∙Interest-free loans allowing you to spread the cost of an annual travel season ticket or a new bicycle;

∙The opportunity to use onsite facilities including fitness centres and staff canteens (where applicable); and.

∙Occupational sick pay.

Pension

Your pension is a valuable part of your total reward package where the employer makes a significant contribution to the cost of your pension.

Your contributions come out of your salary before any tax is taken. This means, if you pay tax, your take-home pay will not be reduced by the full amount of your contribution; and your pension will continue to provide valuable benefits for you and your family if you are too ill to continue to work or die before you retire.

For more information, visit www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk

Leave Allowance

Full time new entrants to the Civil Service and those Civil Servants on modernised terms and conditions will be entitled to 25 days leave increasing on a sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service.

In addition to this you are entitled to 8 public/bank holidays. The allowance is pro-rated for part-time staff.

With competitive maternity, paternity and parental leave we also recognise the importance of a good work-life balance and offer flexible working and a family friendly approach to work.

Civil Servants taking up appointment on promotion will adopt the modernised Civil Service terms and conditions which came in to effect from 1 July 2013. Existing Civil Servants appointed on level transfer will retain their existing terms and conditions.

Training and Development

The Department offers engaging jobs in work that really matters;

jobs which have a direct impact on the quality of public services. Roles can offer great job satisfaction and there are many opportunities to develop and progress both within the Department and across the wider Civil Service.

We are committed to investing in our staff and offer a range of work based training and qualifications, coaching and mentoring opportunities and a guaranteed five days of learning a year.

Other Benefits

Any move to DSIT from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may, however, be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare.

Determine your eligibility at: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Interest free season ticket and bicycle loans may be available.

Some sites also offer onsite facilities including fitness centres and staff canteens.

As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above.
This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions.
Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and
conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your
personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any
absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you
to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.

Job contact :

• Name : SCS Recruitment Team
• Email : scscandidate.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

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