Details
Reference number
439648
Salary
£100,000
External candidates should expect their salary on appointment to be c.£100,000 per annum dependent on experience. Existing Civil Servants will be appointed in line with the Civil Service pay rules in place on the date of their appointment.
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
Job grade
SCS Pay Band 2
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
FSA - UK and International Affairs
Type of role
Policy
Senior leadership
Strategy
Working pattern
Flexible working, Full-time, Homeworking, Job share, Part-time, Compressed hours
Number of jobs available
1
Contents
* Location
* About the job
* Benefits
* Things you need to know
* Apply and further information
Location
We offer great flexible working opportunities, and have offices in Belfast, Cardiff, London and York.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not overseas.
Travel within the UK will be required on a regular basis, possibly with overnight stays.
About the job
Job summary
The FSA is a non-ministerial department of over 1600 people. We play a critical role in protecting public health and consumers' wider interests in food across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Our vision is an important one - to drive change, delivering "food you can trust" and working towards a healthier and more sustainable food system.
Job description
Help shape the future of food in the UK and beyond
As our Director of Strategy, Trade & Food System Policy, you'll join the FSA's Executive Management Team and report directly to the Chief Executive. This is a pivotal, high-profile role where you'll lead policy that protects public health, safeguards consumers, and supports 600,000 food businesses across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
You'll help steer the FSA through a period of significant change, resetting our relationship with the EU, strengthening our global role, and modernising regulation to keep pace with a rapidly evolving food system. As Senior Responsible Officer for the UK EU Sanitary & Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, you'll lead the design, negotiation and implementation for the FSA of this important part of the EU reset, working across government and with devolved administrations to deliver benefits for businesses and consumers.
You'll develop the FSA's next multi-year corporate strategy and you'll shape the future of food regulation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, supporting economic growth while, critically, continuing to protect public health and maintain high levels of public trust in our food. As part of this, you'll deliver on commitments just announced in the budget for a national approach to regulation of the largest food businesses.
You'll lead a newly formed directorate, champion collaboration and inclusion, and empower high performing teams to deliver exceptional results.
We're looking for an outstanding leader with experience in policy development and delivery in complex environments, strong influencing skills, and a proven ability to drive change at pace. You don't need to be a food specialist, what matters is strategic vision, an ability to quickly understand your operating context, and a commitment to our mission – food you can trust.
Apply now and help us build trust in food at home and worldwide.
Working pattern guidance
If applying as a job share partnership, you should both complete separate application forms on Civil Service Jobs but should make it clear that you are applying as job sharers. Further details on job sharing can be found here JSF – What is the recruitment process for job sharers?, Civil Service Careers (civil-service-)
Applicants who wish to work part time / compressed hours are welcome to apply - however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
Due to the nature of the role we are unable to consider requests for part time working of less than 30 hours per week.
This role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by.
Person specification
Please read the attached Candidate Pack to discover further details about the role, our organisation, who we are looking for and the criteria we will assess against during the selection process.
We look forward to receiving your application and wish you every success.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £100,000, Food Standards Agency contributes £28,970 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Our candidate pack details the benefits that the FSA has to offer. Please also refer to the attached Terms and Conditions statement.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Full details of the selection process are detailed in the attached candidate pack.
Application and shortlisting
You will be asked to provide personal details (not seen by the Panel) and to confirm your eligibility to apply for the role.
You will then be asked to complete an application which will be used to assess you against the following essential criteria.
Essential criteria
Experience
* Policy leadership and delivery: Proven experience in shaping and delivering significant policy change within a complex regulatory or legislative environment. Ability to set a clear policy vision and lead programmes that involve legislation and implementation.
* Building effective networks and influencing: Experience of leading within a complex organisation context, building strong relationships and influencing outcomes in complex, multi-stakeholder environments. Experience of operating at senior level in international and/or devolved contexts.
* Driving change: The ability to develop and implement change. Strong programme leadership skills, able to coordinate multiple workstreams and stakeholders to deliver change at pace and scale.
* Evidence and decision-making: Generating, assessing and applying evidence and analysis to develop new strategies. Ability to exercise sound judgment and political awareness in high-profile, sensitive contexts.
* Communication: First-class communication skills. Ability to communicate clearly, persuasively and confidently with internal and external audiences at all levels. Demonstrable experience of representing your organisation with credibility, integrity and professionalism.
* Inclusive leadership: Extensive experience of leading high performing teams and building capability to deliver exceptional results. Demonstrated commitment to inclusion and diversity. This may include experience in leading remote or geographically dispersed teams.
Stakeholder Panel Engagement Exercise (SPEE)
If successful at shortlisting stage, you will be invited to take part in a Stakeholder Panel Engagement Exercise (SPEE), before going on to attend a panel interview on a different day.
Interview
If successful at shortlisting stage, you will be invited to a final interview in whichwe will assess you against the following Experience requirements of the role
Experience:
* Policy leadership and delivery: Proven experience in shaping and delivering significant policy change within a complex regulatory or legislative environment. Ability to set a clear policy vision and lead programmes that involve legislation and implementation.
* Building effective networks and influencing: Experience of leading within a complex organisation context, building strong relationships and influencing outcomes in complex, multi-stakeholder environments. Experience of operating at senior level in international and/or devolved contexts.
* Driving change: The ability to develop and implement change. Strong programme leadership skills, able to coordinate multiple workstreams and stakeholders to deliver change at pace and scale.
* Evidence and decision-making: Generating, assessing and applying evidence and analysis to develop new strategies. Ability to exercise sound judgment and political awareness in high-profile, sensitive contexts.
* Communication: First-class communication skills. Ability to communicate clearly, persuasively and confidently with internal and external audiences at all levels. Demonstrable experience of representing your organisation with credibility, integrity and professionalism.
* Inclusive leadership: Extensive experience of leading high performing teams and building capability to deliver exceptional results. Demonstrated commitment to inclusion and diversity. This may include experience in leading remote or geographically dispersed teams.
As part of the selection process, you will be asked to prepare a seen presentation. Further information will be provided to you on the invite to interview email.
Shortlisted candidates will be offered the opportunity to meet (remotely) with the Chief Executive of the FSA Katie Pettifer, prior to the final selection panel interview to learn more about the organisation and role; further details of this will be confirmed with the applicant.
The panel may request two work-based references to be taken for shortlisted candidates prior to the final panel interview.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application or used during interview, including your CV and any statements or examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
Expected Timeline
Advert closes: 4th January 2026
Sift meeting: 13th January 2026
Stakeholder Panel Engagement Exercise (SPEE): 27th January 2026
Informal discussions: w/c 19th/26th January or w/c 2nd February 2026
Final panel interview: 10th February 2026
We are hoping to conduct assessments and interviews face to face
Please note that indicated dates may be subject to change.
United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) Requirements (SC)
Appointment will be subject to the candidate having, or being able to achieve, National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) level.
All security clearances require you to provide evidence of your UK footprint where you have been physically present in the UK.
The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years (although there are some exceptions e.g. if you have been serving abroad with HM Armed Forces).
Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.
If you require SC clearance you will need to provide evidence of the below requirements.
Checks will be made against:
* a departmental/company records check which will include, for example personal files, staff reports, sick leave returns and security records
* a check of both spent and unspent criminal records
* a check of credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
* a check of Security Service (MI5) records
* exceptionally, if there are any unresolved security concerns about the individual, or if recommended by the Security Service, the individual may also be interviewed
* in the event of any unresolved financial concerns, the individual may also be required to complete a separate financial questionnaire so that a full review of personal finances can be carried out
* checks may extend to third parties included on the security questionnaire.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to the Food Standards Agency from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare.
Determine your eligibility at
Reserve List
A reserve list will be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointment may be made.
Candidates that do not pass the interview, but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.
Visa Sponsorship
Please note that the FSA does not hold a licence to sponsor any visa applications and we are unable to provide any advice about visas.
Regrettably we are unable to refund travel costs if candidates attend an interview/selection stage for the vacancy.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years. An assignment duration is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through building your depth of expertise.
As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check .
See our vetting charter .
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
* UK nationals
* nationals of the Republic of Ireland
* nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
* Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
* Name : Nicola Jenkins
* Email :
Recruitment team
* Email :
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated fairly in accordance with the principles, and you wish to make a complaint, you should email the FSA's Director of People at If you are not satisfied with the response, you can contact the Civil Service Commission.