Deputy Director, Business Relations and Appointments

UNCLASSIFIED JOB DESCRIPTION

An opportunity to work at the heart of government in 10 Downing Street as Deputy Director of the Prime Minister’s Business Relations team also overseeing the Prime Minister’s appointments team, developing and managing relationships with a broad range of sectors across the UK economy, on behalf of the PM and No10 to help communicate policy objectives, gather information and support economic growth. Quickly establishing credibility with business leaders, major inward investors and key operators and influencers in strategically important industries lies at the heart of success in this role.

You will be the most senior civil servant in the Prime Minister’s Business Relations team, working closely with the Prime Minister’s Business Envoy and leading the civil service side of the team. The team is the key point of contact between the PM/No10 and the boardrooms of British and international businesses. The role works with ministers and senior officials across Whitehall, specifically HMT, DIT, BEIS, DExEU and DCMS. You will also oversee the Prime Minister’s appointments team who play a key role in the public appointments process, working with the Cabinet Office and departments across Whitehall.

Specific tasks include:

 Working with the PM’s business envoy, William Vereker, and the rest of the Business Relations team to ensure that the PM has a comprehensive strategy for engaging with business and sectors across her agenda.  Driving engagement with business across the team and in Whitehall, and sharing intelligence from that engagement to inform better policy and government objectives.  Working at pace in a complex multi-stakeholder environment to drive progress in the face of a range of competing views and priorities.  Ensuring structured engagement with business around key No10 policies and that stakeholders can be involved in Government policy announcements, receptions and other events.  Working closely with the PM’s Policy Unit to develop the policy agenda in respect to our approach to business.  Providing the PM and No10 with stakeholder perspective  Working with colleagues in 10 Downing Street and across Whitehall to ensure that there is a coherent and sensible set of steers going to the PM and to Departments  Delivering the PM’s objectives across Whitehall.

You will need to have relevant experience in business or working with business and the personal presence, effectiveness and credibility to operate at a very senior level. You should be able to demonstrate a clear understanding of how companies operate and make decisions, and their interests in central government. You will also be expected to have a strong business network.

UNCLASSIFIED The post holder is likely to manage a number of staff within 10 Downing Street. The post holder will report to William Macfarlane, the Prime Minister’s Deputy Principal Private Secretary.

PERSON SPECIFICATION - COMPETENCES/SKILLS REQUIRED

This post particularly requires strong leadership and outstanding communication, networking, influencing and negotiation skills as well as being able to communicate technical ideas clearly to non-specialist audiences.

In the selection process applicants will need to demonstrate how they meet the following essential skills and requirements:

 Recent or prior experience of working in Whitehall  The personal presence, effectiveness and credibility to operate at a very senior level across Whitehall, giving authoritative advice to the PM and a strong lead to Whitehall.  The ability to work at pace in a complex cross-departmental environment, driving progress in the face of a range of competing views and priorities.  Strong leadership skills and the ability to motivate and manage a team to deliver at pace on a challenging and complex agenda.  A proven track record of working closely and recently with senior ministers and special advisers, and the ability to get under the skin of political priorities and translate that into policy development.  Highly developed communication, networking and negotiation skills.  Calm, resilient, and able to manage multiple competing priorities in pressurised timescales.

UNCLASSIFIED