The HR Director role in the Department for Business and Trade is a critical leadership position at the heart of delivering the department’s 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 Service—an 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 department’s 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 DBT’s 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 DBT’s Location Strategy. Ensuring the department meets the targets to increase DBT’s 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 department’s 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 department’s senior leadership team. Building constructive relationships with the wider Civil Service, recognised trade unions and staff networks to ensure DBT’s business is delivered especially through periods of change. Leading the people and place elements of DBT’s shared services programme, as part of a cluster with other government departments. Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme Disability Confident About Disability Confident A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident .