Clean Energy Industries Sector Lead for Scotland

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is the department for economic growth. We support businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities across the country. We operate in an increasingly dynamic international environment, with a range of forces rapidly reshaping the global economy. To meet this challenge, the Government launched a new Modern Industrial Strategy in June 2025.

The Local and International Growth directorate within DBT supports economic growth across the UK by strengthening places, enabling businesses, and connecting local economies to national and international opportunity driving jobs, higher living standards and inclusive growth.

We do that by providing local policy insight and influence to shape growth policy, drive big bet interventions to support business growth in each area, collaborate with local partners to deliver growth outcomes, and connect DBTs international network to unlock global growth opportunities for businesses across UK.

The Clean Energy Industries Lead for Scotland will be responsible for owning and lead in the directorate's "Big Bets" work in Scotland to drive economic growth across the clean energy and energy transition sector. Scotland has a huge role to play in the energy transition and this will be a stretching role covering key sectors (Offshore Wind/ GRID and Storage/ Decommissioning).The successful candidate will engage business, organisations such as Great British Energy, academia and Scottish Government counterparts, working to drive domestic growth, investment and export capability.

1. Provide Local Insight for Government Growth Policy 

• Act as a strategic lead and key source of intelligence on the Scottish Clean Energy and Energy Transition landscape understanding challenges and opportunities and informing UK Government strategies (e.g. Industrial Strategy, Trade Strategy, Growth Mission Fund)

• Develop deep sectoral expertise to identify strategic drivers, investment needs, and market access barriers in Clean Energy across Scotland.

2. Promote Local Business Growth Opportunities 

• Support businesses to access growth opportunities including DBT support for high growth SMEs, exporting, investment, and trade agreements

• Identify supply chain gaps and promote innovation, diversification, and expansion in IS-8 sectors

3. Collaborate with Local Growth Partners 

• Build strategic relationships with devolved governments, agencies, and sector bodies to align priorities, share intelligence, and co-deliver/collaborate on growth, trade and investment activities

• Act as an honest broker between business and government, supporting joint initiatives that enhance regional competitiveness and investment readiness

4. Support Delivery and Integration of DBT International Networks 

• Work with DBT overseas posts to promote regional capabilities, attract high-value investment, and ensure sectoral strengths are reflected in UK-wide strategies

• Facilitate integration between local and international teams to deliver seamless investor support and global visibility for Scotland.

Essential

The below criteria are essential and will be assessed at application stage;

• Strategic Stakeholder Leadership: Proven ability to lead and manage complex stakeholder relationships across multiple stakeholders, industry, and international partners, driving alignment on trade, investment, and growth priorities

• Commercial and Economic Acumen: Strong strategic understanding of trade, investment, and domestic business dynamics, with the ability to translate market intelligence into actionable policy and programme delivery

• Policy Development and Influence: Demonstrated experience in leading policy development, shaping strategic direction, and influencing senior decision-makers.

Desirable 

The below criteria are desirable only. These will not be assessed throughout the recruitment process, but will be used in the event of tied scores between candidates;

• High-Level Engagement and Influence: Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with a track record of securing buy-in from senior leaders and delivering collaborative outcomes

• Executive Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to brief ministers, contribute to cross-government publications, and represent the department in high-profile forums

• Knowledge of the broader Scottish economic landscape.

• Knowledge of the Energy sector in Scotland, key strengths, opportunities and challenges.