About the job

Job summary

The Cities and Local Growth Unit represents the Government Local Growth work across the whole of England, focusing on relationships with local partners and delivery across the Local Growth, Communities and Devolution Group. It is a joint Unit between the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Growth (MHCLG). These departments, along with the centre of Government, rely on us to work with people and places to develop and deliver policies, as well as delivering Ministers’ objectives. The teams are an integral part of the policy development and delivery mechanisms.

Our teams are experts of place. 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, issues and opportunities. We know how places feel. We know their history. We can tell stories about them and work with them to deliver change – to deliver central Government priorities on economic growth.

We are looking for a G6 Head of Team to drive this agenda forward across the West Midlands and South West; bringing a real passion for the area and leading teams of talented people. You will need exceptional leadership skills, that are evident through a proven track of delivering in conjunction with others and breaking down Departmental silos, beyond our two host Departments. You will be part of the South West and West Midlands Divisional Leadership Team and ensure that the work of the team is respected by Ministers, colleagues and external contacts.

This is a team that supports people develop in their careers and is an open, inclusive and enjoyable place to work. We need a strong leader who will commit to these values and work with a talented group of Area Leads and Deputy Area Leads to deliver Government’s economic growth agenda in our local areas.

Job description

You will be a visible and inspiring leader predominant with responsibility for West Midlands area, which is a team of circa 15. You will also provide a leadership role on business intelligence and business representative organisations for the South West and West Midlands as a whole, working with the two other G6 Head of Team in the Division.  You will have a strong understanding of the geography and economy across the West Midlands as well as some knowledge or a willingness to learn about 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 be responsible for a team of circa 15 and will role model open, inclusive line management which demonstrates excellence in building strong, high-performing and inclusive teams. You should exemplify these behaviours in all you do and be able to strike the right balance between support and accountability for team members. You will need to embrace and have the ability to move smoothly between long term strategy development and delivery and tactical decision making in a fast moving, exposed environment – no two days are the same and we often have to respond quickly to changing circumstances and opportunities.  We need a strong corporate leader with strengths in a dynamic, political and fast-paced environment. A key part of the role includes building effective relationships with diverse senior stakeholders and capable of flexing your style, to understand and engage with different audiences. You will develop and own key strategic relationships across Whitehall and with local partners, not duplicating the relationships held by Area Leads in your team, but adding value and providing that strategic connection and overview which makes easier collaboration across Departments and other organisations. This will include working across Pan-regional Partnerships, Local Authorities, universities and businesses as well as ensuring there are strong connections to other Divisions in MHCLG and DBT and OGDs.  You will be able to spot key economic opportunities and challenges facing the West Midlands and South West and use this to provide a compelling narrative in order to influence national, regional and local policy development across the local growth space. 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, ensuring that high quality and accurate advice and correspondence is presented. The post requires regular travel to locations across the West Midlands and occasional travel to the South West.  If the post holder is based in Bristol, weekly travel to Birmingham office will be required.

Person specification

Essential Criteria You will have a strong understanding of the geography and economy across the West Midlands as well as some knowledge or a willingness to learn about South West.  Leadership: An experienced line manager, who has a proven track record in building strong, high-performing and inclusive teams. You should exemplify these behaviours in all you do and be able to strike the right balance between support and accountability for team members, setting a clear strategic direction, objectives and roles, giving people the space and autonomy to deliver and being there to support and advocate where needed. Embed a culture of inclusion and equal opportunity for all, where the diversity of individuals’ backgrounds and experiences are valued and respected. Seeing the Big Picture: able to align with the wider objectives of two Departments with a focus on creating economic opportunities in the West Midlands and South West of England. Be able to provide strategic overview and joining up of multiple strategies or opportunities that support the Government’s vision for Growth. Identify and shape how your work area fits within and support the priorities of the organisation Communicating and Influencing: A proven ability to build effective relationships with diverse senior stakeholders and capable of flexing your style, to understand and engage with different audiences. Ability to lead from the front, chair senior meetings and at times having difficult conversations with partners, while maintaining important relationships. Developing Self and Others: You should have a clear track record of how you empower and support the development of yourself and others. Display passion and enthusiasm for the work, helping to inspire colleagues and stakeholders to fully engage with the aims and long-term vision. Provide colleagues with opportunities to share their knowledge and skills with others to build organisational effectiveness.

Desirable Criteria  Knowledge of the programme to move the Civil Service outside of London.

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.

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

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 explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential criteria.
• 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.

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

The role will preferably be based in Birmingham. We may also be able to accommodate a Bristol base if you commit to weekly travel to Birmingham and across the West Midlands. You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process. Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. 

Informal hybrid working arrangements will be available as agreed with the vacancy manager and in line with the requirements of the role. Most DBT employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending 2-3 days a week (pro rata) in an office, on average.

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.
• This role may be considered as a secondment opportunity. Please reach out to the hiring manager listed at the bottom of this advert to discuss.

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 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.