Department for Business and Trade – Deputy Director of Employee Experience and Culture

National Locations: London, Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Darlington, Salford and Edinburgh

Salary : £76,000 - £90,000 plus benefits

Join the Department for Business and Trade at a pivotal moment in our mission to grow the economy.

We are dedicated to helping businesses invest, grow, and export to create jobs and opportunities across the nation. Our approach is threefold: fostering a competitive business environment that protects consumers and rewards fair treatment of employees, opening international markets and ensuring resilient supply chains through trade agreements, and partnering with businesses to provide advice, finance, and support for those looking to start up, invest, export, and grow.

In April 2024, we launched our People Strategy, a comprehensive plan designed to create a highly skilled, productive, and happy workforce, thereby enhancing our Department’s effectiveness. Our people are at the heart of transforming business and international trade, driving economic growth. This strategy underscores the importance of our people, detailing our commitments and priorities in alignment with the Civil Service People Plan.

We are seeking an HR Deputy Director for Employee Experience and Culture, a role that offers a varied and engaging portfolio. You will provide strong and visible leadership for the HR Directorate, support engagement and capability building, and develop an organisational culture that aligns with our strategic aims. Your responsibilities will include overseeing 3 expert functions which manage employee relations and engagement with Trade Unions, employee engagement and culture, and
HR policy, pay and reward cycles and initiatives. You will also lead and manage unforeseen HR challenges, and deliver our ED&I Framework and Gender Pay Gap Action Plan.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of inspiring leadership, driving complex policies and initiatives, and handling sensitive people issues. You will be skilled in designing and implementing changes to terms and conditions and pay structures, with a deep understanding of complex organisational environments and the ability to navigate and manage multiple challenging stakeholders, such as Trade Unions. Building strong, influential relationships with stakeholders at the most senior levels to drive HR initiatives at an organisational level is essential, as is the ability to make informed decisions using analysis, insight, and data. You will need strong personal credibility, resilience, and the enthusiasm to respond quickly to changing situations.

We think this is a highly rewarding job - our staff frequently talk about the job satisfaction that comes from contributing to UK economic growth, as well as our competitive salary and benefits packages, learning and development opportunities, flexible working options, generous annual leave, and a Civil Service Pension Scheme.

At DBT HR, we strive to foster an open and supportive culture where everyone can thrive. This role presents a genuine opportunity to drive your career in strategic HR leadership. If you are a fully qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) or have significant equivalent senior HR experience, we would love to hear from you.