Head of Space

The UK’s space sector is critical to delivering over £300bn of services across the economy reliant on Space and space-based services. Space continues to increase in importance to the UK’s economy and national security, with exports and inward investment playing a key role in this. This role of Head of Space offers a stretching opportunity in one of the most exciting and innovative sectors of the UK economy, with the opportunity to develop key leadership experience and skills as well as overseas travel.

This role will lead the Space sector team within the Department of International Trade, working closely with industry and collaborating across government partners. The Space sector team promotes UK capability overseas to international customers and investors to grow UK prosperity via exports and investment.

You will lead a team of sector experts within the Department for International Trade supporting decision making and delivery across the Department’s full range of objectives, providing expertise and advice to senior officials and Ministers.

With the growing importance of this dual use sector, this comes with challenges regarding international investment and the export of sensitive technology. Both the National Space Strategy and Defence Space Strategy recognise these challenges and DIT has a leading role to play in helping manage these risks while championing the international investment and export opportunities.

The role sits in the Department for International Trade’s Sustainability & Infrastructure Directorate which supports HM Government’s ambition, restated in the Plan for Growth, to make the UK a twenty-first century science and technology superpower. We support strong flows of inward investment, global capital, industry knowledge, and entrepreneurship into the UK’s technologically focussed sectors, and access to global markets for our most innovative products and services.

Job description

This is a stimulating and exciting leadership role in the Space sector, as part of the Sustainability & Infrastructure Directorate. You will lead the team to deliver on our trade and investment ambitions across priority markets in our global network.

You will be responsible for delivering our ambition to achieve a step-change in Space exports, positioning the UK to take advantage of expected new space programmes and promoting the UK as the global destination for foreign direct investment. You will also work closely with colleagues in British Embassies and High Commissions overseas to improve the UK supply chain’s understanding of doing business overseas and identify new opportunities.

You will be the sector expert within the Department and be internal champion with senior stakeholders across Whitehall. You will develop the vision and strategy and support your team to implement these to deliver our trade, prosperity and security objectives in this area.

You and your team will be engaging with businesses, from the world’s largest space companies to innovative start-ups. You will be a confident advocate of the department’s objectives and have credibility with a range of external stakeholders.

You will lead a team of 4-6 Civil Servants, working closely and collaboratively with industry and government partners.

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
- A strong understanding of the space sector
- Experience of managing a team
- Experience of collaborating across teams
- Must be prepared to undergo DV enhanced clearance
- An understanding of how government works

Desirable Criteria
- Experience of working in the space sector
- Experience of working in government

Personal Attributes & Skills
- The postholder needs strong collaboration skills, working with colleagues across the Department, across government and with industry
- The postholder needs to have an in-depth understanding of the space sector and how trade and investment can support our ambitions to become a leading space nation. The postholder needs to be able to communicate compellingly with stakeholders at all levels
- The postholder will need to lead and manage the team with professionalism, championing diversity and an inclusive, respectful culture

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

- Seeing the Big Picture
- Leadership
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing

**Benefits**:

- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service