Head of Foundation Industries Strategy & Funding

Job summary

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is the department for economic growth. We support businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities across the country.

Foundation industries including paper, glass, ceramics, cement, chemicals, and steel, are essential to our economy. They support our national and economic security and resilience, our supply chains and the modern Industrial Strategy growth driving sectors. They are important sources of regional growth, jobs and pride in our communities.

However, they are facing increasing global and structural challenges, including unfair trading actions, the need to decarbonise and rising geopolitical tensions which are causing energy price shocks and supply chain disruptions. This is leading to an increasing number of companies facing financial difficulties and compounding their competitiveness challenges. The EU, US, China and others are taking strategic policy action to protect key foundation industries, and the UK is at risk of being left behind. The Government is keen to do more, building on the recently published Steel and Critical Minerals Strategies.

Job description

The Head of Foundation Industries Strategy & Funding is a pivotal role in the team and the Materials directorate. We established a new Foundation Industries Strategy Team in April, and its purpose is to agree the scope of our ambition for these sectors across government and then deliver against agreed objectives.

At a minimum this will involve working with analysts to better understand the sectors, products and companies of key importance to the UK and to enhance our influence on key policies which are critical to the future of these sectors, and which are mainly owned by other departments (particularly HMT, Defra and DESNZ). The successful candidate will also lead the development and launch of the £120mn Ceramics Industry Support Scheme announced in May 2026, working closely with our Grants Delivery Directorate, who will administer the scheme.

The team works closely with the existing G6-led Energy Intensive Industries team, who have responsibility for key electricity price schemes which benefit our foundation industries and who lead the relationship with key sectors. They will also need to work closely with the wider Materials Directorate, who own our sector relationships with the steel, critical minerals and chemicals sectors.

The role combines policy development, strategic leadership and senior engagement across government and with external stakeholders. You will lead a team of 6, with scope for more, working closely with Directors, Deputy Directors, and wider colleagues across DBT and HMG to drive forward work on foundation industries, advising Ministers and senior leaders, on policy, analysis and delivery. You will bring together strategic thinking, policy insight and analysis to ensure the Department’s ambitions are translated into real-world outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Foundation Industries Strategy & Funding Team, providing supportive and inclusive leadership and ensuring it has clear direction, effective delivery and high morale.
• Shape and articulate the scope of the team’s work with seniors, DBT Ministers and stakeholders and across HMG including HMT and DESNZ, which could lead to the development a more formal Strategy, including the design and delivery of new policy and funding mechanisms.
• Lead the development of the £120mn Ceramics Industry Support Scheme announced in May and due to launch later this year that will support the sector to decarbonise and be more efficient thereby improving its competitiveness. Ensure its efficient operation, robust analysis of proposals, clear advice to ministers and compelling communication such that the fund is spent in an effective and appropriate manner that reflects ministerial priorities.
• Engage with external industry stakeholders to understand the role and requirements of key sectors and use that knowledge to influence key policy levers across HMG to ensure they meet the needs of our foundation industries.
• Ensure coherence between teams, fostering sharing of best practice, developing and propagating policy resources, identifying and enabling synergies in terms of delivery and stakeholder engagement.
• Deputising for the Deputy Director in senior DBT, cross-Government and external meetings as and when required.
• Be a strong corporate player, working closely and collaboratively with colleagues across Materials, Business Group and DBT to ensure we deliver effectively and promote a positive and inclusive work environment.
• The successful candidate will also lead on wider cross-cutting policy issues as they arise, supporting ministerial activity through high‑quality advice and engagement.

Person specification

Essential criteria

The below criteria are essential and will be assessed at application stage.

The successful candidate must demonstrate:

• Strong record of leadership in policy and/or strategy roles, including navigating ambiguity and setting the agenda
• Proven ability to develop and lead a high-performing new team, including establishing a team culture and coaching individuals to bring out their best.
• Proven ability to influence across organisational boundaries and operate effectively in complex environments
• Clear, confident communicator, comfortable engaging senior colleagues.
• Resilient and adaptive leadership style, able to navigate changing priorities while maintaining focus on outcomes.
• Experience of developing and/ or administering a fund, including leading assurance processes.

Desirable criteria

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.

• Background or experience of working on economic policy and/or strategy in sector, energy or climate policies or business support.
• Project and programme management experience.

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £69,185, Department for Business and Trade contributes £20,042 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).

• 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 employer contribution of 28.97%

We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception.

Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.

To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application:

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Provide employment history that relates to the essential criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages.
• A Personal Statement of up to 750 words, explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential criteria.

Your application will be sifted against the Experience criteria of the Civil Service Success Profiles.

We aim to sift both the CV and the Personal Statement but, in the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift may be conducted on the Personal Statement only. Candidates who pass the initial sift of the Personal Statement will either progressed to a full sift where the CV is then assessed, or progressed straight to further assessment/interview.

Candidates who pass the sift will be invited to interview, where we will assess you on the Success Profiles elements of Behaviours and Strengths.

It is likely that the sift will take place 1-2 weeks after the closing date and interviews 3-5 weeks after the closing date, though this is subject to change.

Reasonable Adjustments

We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment:

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process.

Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service at DBTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department.

Further Information:

• A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve Lists will be for each location and appointments made in merit order based on location preferences.
• Any move to the Department for Business and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments.
• The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.
• New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
• Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty. Any applicant who has details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
• A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
• Terms and Conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
• Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.
• Candidates that do not quite meet the standard for this role may be offered a position at a lower grade.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland/Access NI on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email accessni@ani.x.gsi.gov.uk

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Rory Wallace, Deputy Director for Foundation Industries, Rail, Maritime and Strategy
• Email : rory.wallace@businessandtrade.gov.uk

Recruitment team

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

Further information

Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles.
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DBT by email: Resourcing@businessandtrade.gov.uk.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.
For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints.

Attachments

DBT T&Cs 2025-08-18 Opens in new window (doc, 46kB)DBT candidate pack July 2024 (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 943kB)