Description
We are looking for an inspirational Chief Operating Officer who will help build and lead this new department effectively across a wide range of professions and functions.
You will have direct responsibility for over 1,000 corporate services colleagues and will ensure the Department has the operating model, capability, systems and controls to deliver on ambitious ministerial priorities, whilst upholding the highest standards of governance, propriety and value for money.
The COO portfolio comprises a large and complex set of functions, including transformation, finance, security, knowledge and information management and risk; human resources; estates; digital, data & technology; grants delivery; and commercial.
Reporting to the Permanent Secretary, you will be a core member of the Executive Committee and Departmental Board, supporting the translation of Ministerial priorities into clear, deliverable plans.
Key Responsibilities:
- Providing strategic leadership as a member of the Executive Committee and Departmental Board
- Setting clear direction for Corporate Services, driving up capability, productivity and functional standards, and ensuring high-quality, expert support and services to the Department
- Establishing and leading the Department’s operating model, aligning finance, workforce, risk, security and digital transformation
- Acting as the principal advisor to the Permanent Secretary, in their role as Accounting Officer, on financial performance, affordability, spend control, risk, propriety and regulatory issues
- Collaborating and negotiating with key stakeholders including Ministers, HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office, to support the delivery of cross-government priorities and reform
- Ensuring strong financial management, governance, controls and compliance, particularly through major fiscal events such as Spending Reviews and budgets
- Driving productivity, efficiency and value for money, including through digital transformation, data-driven insight and service redesign
- Sponsoring the Department’s Places for Growth programme, supporting the relocation of the roles across the UK and building strong regional capability
- Contributing to the wider leadership of the Civil Service, including participation in the cross-Civil Service Chief Operating Officer’s Network, Civil Service Reform agenda and the Cabinet Secretary's Future Civil Service
- Leading the successful integration and transformation of BIST following Machinery of Government changes, building a modern, resilient and future-ready department.
Person Specification:
- Visible and engaging leadership across a large geographically dispersed and diverse organisation
- Excellent communication and influencing skills
- A strong track record of driving productivity, value for money and efficiency
- Deep experience of governance, risk management and internal controls
- A proven ability to plan and deliver large-scale transformation
- Demonstrable experience of leading people development
- Qualifications & Experience: substantial and demonstrable senior financial leadership experience and, if not already held, willing to undertake an accelerated professional finance qualification on appointment.
Benefits:
- Salary of £135,000 - £174,000 per year
- Department for Business and Trade contributes £39,109 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%