HR Director

The HR Director role in the Department for Business and Trade is a critical leadership position at the heart of delivering the departments strategic ambition. As a global organisation whose success depends on the capability, engagement and performance of its people, DBT needs outstanding leadership of its people and place agenda to drive impact at scale. This role offers the opportunity to shape organisational direction at the most senior levels, working closely with the Permanent Secretary and Executive Committee to influence culture, capability and performance across a diverse, international workforce. The role is also responsible for the Place agenda, including the estates and locations strategy, wellbeing and health and safety.

We are ambitious for DBT to be one of the best places to work in the Civil Servicean organisation where people can thrive, enabling the department to deliver its critical mission of driving economic growth and opportunity across the UK. Achieving this will require strong leadership across all elements of the people agenda, alongside the delivery of high‑quality, modern and digitally enabled services that are simple to use and support our people to perform at their best.

For candidates passionate about delivering lasting organisational impact, championing inclusive, high-performing cultures, this is a uniquely rewarding and high-profile opportunity.

Candidate Information Call

The hiring manager for this position; Becky Woodward, will be hosting a virtual call for any interested applicants to discuss the role and answer any questions. Please note this is not part of the formal assessment process and the session will not be recorded.

This will be held via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday 9th June at 10:00-10:45am (UK time).

Please click here for the meeting link.

If you would like to join without your full name being displayed in the meeting, please ensure you access the link on a personal device and select 'Join without signing in'.

Key Responsibilties

• Leadership and management of the departments HR function: responsibility for around 200 HR Estates and Project Delivery professionals providing People and Place strategy and services to the department across both the UK and rest of the world (in partnership with FCDO).
• Head of Profession for Human Resources, ensuring functional standards are met, promoting professional and career development for HR staff, contributing to the wider Civil Service HR leadership.
• Delivery of DBTs People Strategy through its four strategic pillars: Attraction and Careers; Skills and Development; Values and Belonging; Getting the Basics Right. To develop the skills the department needs and create an environment in which staff across the globe can fulfil their potential. This role will also build the next stage of our People Strategy and service offer.
• Leadership of Estates, Health and Safety and Wellbeing and the delivery of DBTs Location Strategy. Ensuring the department meets the targets to increase DBTs presence outside of London.
• Partnering with the Transformation Director to design and embed the changes needed to build a high‑performing department, as part of our Future DBT portfolio. We are ambitious to be at the forefront of the Future Civil Service programme.
• Business partnering the departments Permanent Secretary on people matters for the senior leadership team and notably Performance Management of the senior team; Senior Civil Service (SCS) capability and succession; SCS Resourcing and SCS pay and reward, as well as holding trade union relationships across the Department.
• Managing budgets, resources, and expenditure proposals ensuring value for money for the areas of direct accountability (c.44m) and as a member of the departments senior leadership team.
• Building constructive relationships with the wider Civil Service, recognised trade unions and staff networks to ensure DBTs business is delivered especially through periods of change.
• Leading the people and place elements of DBTs shared services programme, as part of a cluster with other government departments.

We are looking for an individual with clear evidence of deep professional HR expertise and a commitment to professional standards. You must be a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), or working towards Fellowship (or equivalent) and have experience across the following criteria which must be shown in your application:

• Senior leadership: An inclusive, values led and people-centred senior leader with significant experienceoperating at senior leadership level within HR, with accountability for whole‑function delivery or major portfolios.