Director, Services (4807605)

Director, Services

Salary: The SCS2 salary band is £100,000 - £162,500.

Location & Travel: The role is UK-based, in London, Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh or Salford. The majority of the team is based in London so about two days a week would need to be in London to provide team and Ministerial support. Some domestic/international travel (up to  . 20-25 days per year) will be required.

At the Department for Business and Trade, we bring together business leaders, trade experts, and policymakers to make the UK one of the most dynamic and attractive places in the world to do business. Working across a network of more than 20 partner organisations, including the British Business Bank and the Fair Work Agency, we support UK businesses at home and abroad, unlock global opportunities through trade deals, and attract investment into the UK economy.

With a presence in over 100 countries and teams across London, Darlington, and the wider UK, we are at the heart of driving growth, innovation, and international trade.

We are now seeking an exceptional individual to join us as Director for Services, a high-profile leadership role shaping the future of the UK’s globally significant services sectors.

The Role

Reporting to the Director General for Business, the Director for Services will lead a directorate in DBT’s Business Group, setting strategic direction and delivering impactful policy, trade, and investment activity across the Services portfolio.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of government, industry, and international partners, supporting sectors that underpin the UK economy and drive global competitiveness.

You will work closely with Ministers, senior officials across Whitehall, and industry leaders to strengthen the UK’s position as a global leader in services.

Key Responsibilities

The Director for Services will provide strategic leadership for a high-performing directorate, positioning DBT as the centre of expertise for services across trade, investment, and policy. The role will drive growth and competitiveness across UK services sectors through integrated, outcome-focused strategies, while building and sustaining senior relationships across government, international partners, and industry. Acting as a trusted ambassador for DBT and UK services, the postholder will shape policy and regulatory frameworks in close collaboration with HM Treasury and key departments including DCMS, DfE, FCDO, the Home Office, and Defra.

The Director will be responsible for developing and delivering sector strategies and campaigns aligned with the UK’s industrial and trade strategies, as well as overseeing international engagement - including trade missions, global campaigns, and major events - to unlock investment and export opportunities. They will ensure strong governance and effective ministerial engagement, while leading and inspiring a geographically dispersed team. As a member of the Senior Civil Service, the postholder will also play a key role in contributing to DBT’s overall leadership and strategic direction.

About You

We are looking for a senior leader with the vision, credibility, and drive to operate at the highest levels of government and industry.

Essential Criteria

• Senior Leadership: A visible, credible and inspiring leader with experience managing large, complex and geographically dispersed teams, fostering an inclusive and high-performance culture.
• Strategic Thinking: Strong intellectual capability with the ability to interpret data and evidence, shape strategy and lead delivery across a complex policy and operational landscape.
• Delivery at Pace: A proven track record of delivering high-impact outcomes, making decisions in ambiguity, and responding effectively to emerging challenges.
• Stakeholder Engagement, Influence and Collaboration: Excellent communication and influencing skills, with a strong track record of engaging senior stakeholders and decision-makers (e.g. Ministers, executives or board level leaders) and working across organisational boundaries (including government, private or third sector environments), building trusted relationships to deliver results.
• Sector and Commercial Insight: Experience working closely with business and industry, with a strong understanding of economic drivers and factors affecting growth, trade and investment and working with one or more services sectors such as professional and business services, consumer sectors, etc.

This is a rare opportunity to shape UK economic policy and global trade at the highest level. You will play a defining role in supporting the growth of the UK’s services economy, while working with an exceptional network of colleagues across government and around the world.

Apply Now

Join us and help make the UK the best place in the world to start, grow, and invest in a business.

Hays Executive have been appointed to assist with this recruitment campaign. To apply for this post, you will need to submit documentation below via the following link, by no later than 23:55PM 19th July 2026. If you have any issues accessing the link or questions regarding the documentation, please contact:​​

​Andrew Timlin: 07887777735 

Owen Quant: 07867695217 

​Documentation:​​

​A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.​​

A Supporting Statement of around two pages of A4 explaining how you meet the requirements of the person specification as far as you are able to, including your language ability for the role.

Contact information

Department Business and Trade

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