Head of International Trade Profession Team

The aim of the International Trade Profession (ITP) is to deliver a world-class network of career trade professionals within UK Government and Devolved Administrations, across the UK and overseas, supported by a comprehensive career and learning and development offer. It aims to embed a breadth of trade knowledge and expertise across Government, by attracting and retaining talent and building capability.

Since launching in May 2018, the Profession has over 3200 members across Government and is championed by 15 Heads of Profession. The cross-Government ITP Team is responsible for designing, developing and embedding the Profession’s offer across government, the Devolved Administrations and overseas. We work collaboratively with cross-Government stakeholders to ensure the Profession meets the needs of all our members. The Profession’s themes are built around Great Career, Great Curriculum and Great Networks. These include a learning and development prospectus, a career pathway, professional standards and a job shadowing scheme. The offer also includes regular events including the delivery of a Trade Festival in November. The Profession is governed at a strategic level by a cross-Government strategic board (chaired by the Head of the Profession, Crawford Falconer) and operational oversight is retained by the SRO Board.

As Head of the International Trade Profession, you will lead a team of four to deliver on an exciting range of capability and talent projects and products, as well as an events programme. You will have oversight and give strategic direction for the whole ITP programme, working to a Grade 6 and Deputy Director. You will lead high profile pieces of work including the shaping of an early talent offer for people in the Profession, to help bring in and on new talent to trade, as well as working closely with cross HMG stakeholders to seek input and oversight to the programme, to ensure it meets the needs across the whole of Government as well as the Devolved Administrations and overseas. The role offers a great deal of autonomy to shape an exciting offer for international trade expertise which will impact the UK and its future as a trading nation.

It offers you a great opportunity to develop or enhance skills in the HR field, but from a different perspective, to shape the future capability and talent for international trade across the whole of Government.

Job description
- To lead the ITP team to provide strategic insight to shape the ITP offer, ensuring it meets the needs of stakeholders.
- To identify ways to shape and build more capability on trade, including the Government’s future trade requirements, and how this translates into deliverables for the Profession.
- To collaborate and build inclusive networks across DIT, cross-Government and overseas, to help in building and landing the Profession’s offer.
- Build and maintain relationships with the FCDO Trade Faculty, together with other Civil Service Professions to share best practice and create more multi-functional links on capability.
- To present new initiatives or strategies to the Head of Profession board on a quarterly basis, and the SRO board, and chair the quarterly Stakeholder meeting.
- To manage the whole Profession’s delivery plan, which includes managing risks, mitigations and ensuring it provides a diverse and inclusive offer.
- Line manage three HEOs and one EO, providing support and guidance in their development and oversight of their work.

Hybrid Working

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 DIT employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending 2-3 days a week (pro rata) in an office, on average. If your office location is London, you will be eligible to receive London weighting.

**Responsibilities**:
Essential Criteria
- The ability to confidently build relationships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
- Confident communication skills, both written and oral, especially when dealing with senior stakeholders.
- Excellent track record of delivering projects.
- Experience of managing and leading a team in a multi-disciplinary environment.
- The ability to understand the strategic landscape and identify impacts and drivers.

Desirable Criteria
- Experience in HR and/or capability.
- The ability to manage complex cross-Government projects with conflicting needs and requirements from stakeholders.

Person Specification
- We would welcome applicants who can bring strong leadership qualities and direction setting to the team.
- Experience of influencing and managing stakeholders to achieve desired results is necessary.
- Someone who can manage high performing teams and bring a motivating and inspiring approach to their work.
- Excellent organisational skills with ability to prioritise activities and co-ordin