Deputy Director Classification, Origin, Valuation & Tariff

Borders & Trade (B&T) is at the heart of developing the UKs customs system of the future. It is responsible for high-profile work within HMRC to support the Government's ambition to create the world's most effective border.

Customs Policy and Strategy (CP&S) is responsible for policy development, implementation, maintenance and improvement of the UK customs regime inline with Government priorities and Ministerial objectives.

This is an exciting and high-profile leadership role in CP&S. You will lead a large team responsible for polices covering the core determinants for arriving at the correct customs duty: the classification, valuation, and origin of goods. The team is responsible for working with other government departments to design and implement changes to the UK Global Tariff and provide detailed customs tariff information to millions of traders and intermediaries.

This role offers the opportunity to:

• Lead a team of around 115 staff, including a large classification service.
• Collaborate across government to develop trade policy that takes account of operational considerations.
• Deliver innovations and improvements to the UK tariff and how we engage with customers.
• Work across HMRC and the wider Borders & Trade group to drive delivery of customs policy priorities.

We are looking for a strong and collaborative leader with experience of leading complex policy portfolios, building relationships at senior levels and managing large, multidisciplinary teams.

Working directly to the Director of Customs Policy and Strategy (CP&S) within HMRCs Borders and Trade Group, the successful applicant will be responsible for leading the Classification, Origin, Valuation and Tariff team.

The successful candidate will also sit on the Directorates senior leadership team and can expect to regularly brief the Director General of Borders and Trade, permanent secretaries, and ministers.

The Classification, Origin, Valuation and Tariff team is responsible for the policies covering the core determinants for arriving at the correct customs duty: the classification, valuation, and origin of goods. The team is responsible for working with other government departments to design and implement changes to the UK Global Tariff and provide detailed customs tariff information to millions of traders and intermediaries. The breadth of the responsibility includes involvement in critical government policy, such as sanctions, trade defence policies, and significant involvement in trade agreements.

• Strategy and policy leadership as well as delivery oversight across a wide range of priorities.
• Leadership and management of several G6 led teams, including a large, public-facing classification service team.
• Working closely with HM Treasury policy partners, other government departments and key internal and external stakeholders.
• Close working with other parts of the Borders & Trade Group to ensure customs policy objectives are reflected in and aligned to wider Group and Departmental strategies.
• Working as part of the wider CP&S senior leadership team to manage the Directorate and make CP&S a great place to work.

Management of People

• This role involves the management of a team of around 115 staff, which is split between a policy function and more operational teams.

The successful applicant will need to demonstrate relevant experience and effective delivery of the following essential criteria:

• Significant leadership experience within the trade or customs sphere.
• A strong ability to influence and build relationships at all levels, and to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders to deliver joined-up outcomes.
• Excellent leadership skills with the ability to nurture and build capability within teams, the ability to motivate people towards stretching goals, and to inspire the team and delivery partners to engage fully with our business plans and HMRCs long term vision.
• Evidence of strong communication skills with the ability to communicate with conviction and clarity to ensure you can influence and take a diverse set of stakeholders including colleagues across Whitehall and the borders & trade community with you.
• Strong focus on delivery with the ability to respond quickly to changing circumstances and tight timescales as priorities evolve and escalate.
• Excellent written and oral briefing skills, with the ability to confidently and concisely brief senior officials and ministers.