About the job

Job summary

Help to Grow: Management (HtGM) is a high-profile flagship programme established in 2021. The programme provides world class leadership and management training to support senior business leaders improve their productivity and drive their growth. The programme combines a practical curriculum, with 1:1 support from a business mentor and access to an alumni network. It is delivered by leading UK Business Schools through a grant to our delivery partner, the Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS).

The role offers a great opportunity to influence the future direction of the programme, gain visibility with senior leaders and have a real impact on small business. As a key member of our team, you will work closely with the Programme Lead, playing a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction and design of the programme, leading on cross cutting briefing for Ministers and collaborating with stakeholders and delivery partners.

Job description

In this role you will support the broader programme environment in three ways (although not limited to):

1. Driving programme excellence:

• Proactively manage the delivery of the programme, ensuring it meets its objectives.
• Strengthen relationships with delivery partners, holding them accountable for achieving desired outcomes.
• Implement continuous improvements to enhance programme efficiency and effectiveness.

2. Lead Financial Governance

• Oversee the management of a £26 million budget.
• Lead the quarterly grant review process, providing clear and insightful financial reporting.
• Monitor programme performance and manage risks, ensuring robust financial and programme health.

3. Innovate for the Future

• Review the overall impact of the programme, identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Develop a comprehensive business case and a range of policy options to shape the next iteration of the programme.
• Contribute to strategic planning ahead of the spending review process, ensuring the programme’s long-term success.

The role is varied and dynamic, with the opportunity to work with policy makers and shape the strategic direction the programme. You will play a crucial role in driving change and making a tangible impact on the small business landscape, developing a range of skills and being part of a dynamic team.

We are a friendly and collaborative team, working together to deliver the programme. We place an emphasis on learning and development and provide opportunities for members of the team to support their development. We are committed to diversity and inclusion. 

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Operational programme delivery background, with experience in supporting a largescale programme.
• Strong financial management experience, including forecasting and profiling for large-scale programmes.
• Strong policy experience, analytical skills, and the ability to weigh up sources of evidence and formulate options.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex matters to different audiences. 
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams.

Desirable Criteria 

• PMO experience

Personal Attributes & Skills

You will need to:

• Manage multiple projects and take a structured approach to delivering outcomes.
• Have strong engagement skill

You will be expected to:

• Work at pace
• Manage a large budget
• Demonstrate strong policy drafting skills
• Manage a successful programme environment

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £39,384, Department for Business and Trade contributes £10,633 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 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 500 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.

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. 

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.  

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 /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 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.