About the job

Job summary

The UK Defence & Security Exports (UKDSE) in the Department for Business and Trade is responsible for working with the UK’s defence and security sector to achieve export success and drive inward investment. The team works closely across Whitehall to deliver strong and coherent government support to industry. The UK is a leading defence and security exporter and building on our existing prominence in world markets is a priority for this government. The Operations Directorate within UK Defence & Security Exports works across the UK Defence & Security Exports team, and with Whitehall and industry colleagues to deliver that objective. 

The UKDSE Team Leader Events and Exhibitions is a high profile and challenging role managing the day-to-day delivery of UKDSE overseas events/exhibition Programme which includes civil maritime and is specifically responsible for the project management of UKDSE facilities at the biennial Farnborough International Airshow, and the Defence & Security Equipment International (DSEI) and the annual Security & Policing exhibitions. Responsible for the delivery, programme, individual events budgets, and risk management of a full range of UKDSE events in the UK and overseas with the latter working in collaboration with the relevant market Desk Officer.

The successful candidate will line manage directly 2 HEOs and matrix manage 1 EO Apprentice.

Job description

Providing effective leadership, empower and develop the Events Team to ensure they are equipped to meet their objectives and reach their full potential. Understand exhibition objectives and remain aware of key campaigns in priority countries.

Allocate the annual programme of events between the Post-Holder and the Events Team ensuring all events are appropriately staffed.

Maintain team budgets and work closely with DBT Commercial to remain aware of outgoings.

Act as a Risk Manager across the events programme to ensure risk assessments and mitigations are reviewed.

Defence & Security

• Project Management of UKDSE Overseas Events/Exhibitions, working in collaboration with the relevant market Desk Officer in RD1, RD2, British Embassies abroad and Security Directorate ensuring a coherent, cost-effective, world-class UK presence.
• Manage reporting to various governance groups, finance groups and reporting to senior management.
• Strategically manage relationships with event organisers and the UKDSE stand build contractor to maximise UK presence at individual events within allocated resource constraints and seeking value for money wherever possible.
• Managing the event budget and programme to ensure cost effectiveness and manage resource, including identifying opportunities to save money.
• Maintain awareness of the application of the UKDSE brand, departmental brand, and the HMG brand and where each is required.
• Tactical level engagement with Trade Association Events contacts ensuring successful delivery of UKDSE presence within Trade Association led pavilions.

UK Events

• The delivery of UK Defence & Security Exports presence at the three main UK defence and security events - Farnborough International Airshow, Defence and Security, Equipment International and the Home Office-led Security and Policing. Ensuring all facilities are delivered meeting stakeholder requirements. Specifically responsible for UKDSE / MOD Lounge facilities and UK Capability Showcase at DSEI. 
• Support to AH Comms in ensuring all UKDSE external facing physical presences and collateral are brand compliant.

 Civil Maritime

• Understanding of the GREAT brand and use within the Civil Maritime team, remaining aware of Civil Maritime priorities and objectives.
• Oversight and support to Events project management of Civil Maritime Events.

 Health & Safety

UKDSE Departmental Health & Safety representative, representing the team at quarterly H&S network meetings and acting as a conduit and champion for UKDSE.

Person specification

Skills and Experience

Essential Criteria

• Experienced leader who is comfortable developing a network of close contacts within industry, across wider Whitehall and internationally.
• Strong oral, presentational and written communication skills.
• Project Management knowledge and experience of managing multiple concurrent complex projects.
• Project Management qualification e.g. AGILE, APMP, Prince2.
• Experience in delivering large scale events/tradeshows.
• Experience of working in a commercially focused role managing contractors.
• Experience of working with SMEs.
• Experience preparing business cases.
• Experience of managing events budgets.
• Experience of working in diverse teams with military colleagues.
• Experience of working with Trade Associations

 Desirable Criteria

 You can specify skills/experience which would be preferred for the job but not deemed mandatory.

• Knowledge of the defence and security sectors.
• Dealing with the Private Sector.
• Experience of Risk Management.

 Personal Attributes & Skills

• Be a good communicator, with strong presentation skills in a range of settings, including dealing with Ministers, senior officials, and senior industry stakeholders. 
• Excellent written communication with the ability to prepare and contribute to briefs and submissions on a regular basis.
• Have proven ability to deliver through others, leading a diverse team focussing on different tasks and challenges.
• Be able to network effectively at all levels and influence without direct management oversight.
• Able to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Be able to prioritise work and work to tight deadlines. 
• Have proven ability to manage and deliver projects. 

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, 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, explain 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.   

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.
• 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 

Vetting

The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years. Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.   

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting

Feedback

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). 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.