About the job

Job summary

The Cities and Local Growth Unit (CLGU) is at the heart of the Government's economic, levelling up and devolution agendas. We are driving policy aimed at boosting growth and productivity with teams in all parts of England; embedding local economic plans and supporting local leaders in improving the economy. 

The Unit works across two Departments, reporting jointly to the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) Secretaries of State, and bringing together a team of 120 staff across the country. Our teams are experts on their parts of the country. Government has a strong grasp of the facts and figures, but facts and figures don't explain a place. We understand local individuals and institutions. We know how places feel. We know their history. We can tell stories about them and work with them to deliver change. 

The South West team within the Cities and Local Growth Unit is looking for an experienced leader to join the existing Head of South West Team in a job share arrangement currently covering Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.   

The role will also be responsible for leading our work with two pan-regional partnerships – Western Gateway and Great South West. 

Job description

This is a key leadership position for the South West. You will set the direction and foster a collaborative culture for the team as well as building trusted relationships with ministers and stakeholders.   

You will act as a visible and inspiring leader as part of a job-share for the South West team (a team of approx: 15 FTE, with 7 direct reports); role modelling behaviour and setting strategic direction. 

Work across the senior management team with other G6s to share learnings across regions and support delivery. 

Develop and own key strategic relationships across Whitehall and with local partners on local growth and levelling up; collaborate on economic development in the region, working in partnership with Local Authorities, universities and businesses.  

You will need to develop and use knowledge of the opportunities and challenges facing the South West to influence national, regional and local policy development across the Levelling Up space.  

Taking particular responsibility for the work of the Western Gateway and Great South West pan-regional partnerships, ensuring this adds value across the whole region. 

Ensuring the team and its work are fully connected into both Departments and link up with other regional Government Departments and Agencies.    

Deputising for and supporting the Area Directors, both in leadership of the Division, their membership of the CLGU leadership community and in both departments. 

Respond to Secretary of State, Ministerial and DG priorities across both Departments in the joint Unit; and contribute to the wider work of the directorate and the Departments, including at a corporate level. 

Person specification

Essential criteria 

• Seeing the Big Picture: able to align with the wider objectives of two Departments with a focus on Levelling Up and creating economic opportunities in the South West of England. 
• Leadership: an inclusive leader with ability to lead a team with clear purpose, objectives and roles. Track record of empowering and developing others and role modelling behaviours.  
• Communicating and Influencing: strong verbal and written communication skills, and a proven ability to credibly engage with senior stakeholders across government and industry. A confident presenter, happy to chair meetings and brief ministers. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with a track record of building effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels.  
• Working Together: Proactively create, maintain and promote a strong and diverse network of contacts across the organisation and externally. Embedding an inclusive and supportive culture.

Desirable criteria  

• Knowledge of the existing local growth and levelling up policy landscape. 
• A passion and knowledge of the geography and economy of South West England 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £64,432, Department for Business and Trade contributes £17,396 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

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. 

After the closing date 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. 

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.   

In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift will be conducted on the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.  

As part of your interview, you will be asked to deliver a short oral presentation, details will be provided prior to your interview.  

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. 

Candidate Support 

You may want to join a virtual Candidate Support Session. These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview.   

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. 

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service 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.  

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.