Sector Manager

Job summary

The newly formed Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) is seeking a Sector Manager to join the Wales team within the Local and International Growth Directorate. The Directorate drives economic growth by connecting businesses, places and partners with government support, policy, trade and investment opportunities, using local insight and international networks to unlock growth and remove barriers.

This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of the UK Government's growth agenda. The successful candidate will work closely with and support the Sector Lead to deliver the ambitions of the Industrial Strategy and the Prime Minister's mission to achieve "good growth in every postcode", with a particular focus on supporting some of the UK's priority growth-driving sectors identified within the Industrial Strategy. You will help ensure that businesses and communities across Wales can benefit from economic opportunity and prosperity.

You will help develop sector intelligence, identify and progress growth opportunities, and contribute to policy development and delivery across key Welsh sectors. Working with businesses, local authorities, Welsh Government, universities and other partners, you will help strengthen sector ecosystems, support exports and investment, and ensure Welsh priorities and opportunities are reflected in national policy discussions.

The role requires strong relationship-building and communication skills, an interest in economic development and business growth, and the ability to analyse information and translate insights into practical recommendations. It offers an excellent opportunity to gain experience across policy, stakeholder engagement, trade, investment and place-based growth while making a direct contribution to one of the UK Government's highest priorities.

Job description

Provide Local Insight for Government Growth Policy

• Support the Sector Lead to develop an understanding of sector strengths, challenges and opportunities across Wales, with a focus on sectors aligned to the UK's Industrial Strategy.

• Gather intelligence from businesses, stakeholders and partners to inform policy development and strategic decision-making.

• Produce high-quality briefings, reports and evidence-based insights to support ministers, senior officials and wider government priorities.

• Contribute to the delivery of the Industrial Strategy and the UK Government's ambition to achieve "good growth in every postcode".

Promote Local Business Growth Opportunities

• Work with businesses, local partners and colleagues across BIST to identify and progress opportunities that drive sector growth, productivity and competitiveness.

• Support initiatives relating to exports, innovation, investment and business growth.

• Engage businesses to understand barriers to growth and help shape interventions that unlock opportunities.

• Support the development of sector propositions, case studies and investment opportunities that showcase Welsh strengths.

Collaborate with Local Growth Partners

• Build and maintain effective relationships with businesses, local authorities, Welsh Government, universities, trade associations and other stakeholders.

• Support the Sector Lead to convene partners around shared growth opportunities and priorities.

• Contribute to cross-sector and cross-government projects, sharing intelligence and best practice to maximise impact.

• Help ensure Welsh priorities and opportunities are reflected in local and national growth discussions.

Integrate Domestic and International Growth Delivery

• Work with BIST's trade, investment and international teams to support a joined-up approach to growth.

• Help connect Welsh businesses with export opportunities, overseas markets and international networks.

• Support activity that promotes Wales as a destination for trade and investment, including contributing to the development of the Brand Wales programme.

• Ensure local sector strengths and opportunities are reflected in wider UK and international growth initiatives.

Person specification

The below is a list of characteristics which may be helpful in this role. These will not be assessed throughout the recruitment process, but are laid out to help candidates understand more about the role.

We are looking for a proactive and collaborative individual with an interest in economic growth and business development. The successful candidate will be comfortable working with a wide range of stakeholders, analysing information and translating insights into practical recommendations that support growth across Wales.

We welcome applications from candidates with a variety of professional backgrounds. You may come from a policy, business, economic development, trade, investment, stakeholder engagement or partnership-working background. What matters most is your ability to build relationships, analyse information and demonstrate a passion for delivering growth outcomes for Wales.

Essential Criteria

The below criteria are essential and will be assessed at application stage;

• Demonstrable experience of building and maintaining effective relationships with a range of stakeholders, and the ability to work collaboratively to achieve shared objectives.

• Experience of gathering, analysing and interpreting information from multiple sources, and using evidence to inform recommendations, policy development or decision-making.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear and concise briefings, reports and correspondence for different audiences.

• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work at pace.

• Knowledge, experience or interest in economic development, trade, investment or place-based policy.

Desirable Criteria

The below criteria are desirable only. These will not be assessed throughout the recruitment process, but will be used in the event of tied scores between candidates;

• Awareness of the economic, political and policy landscape in Wales, including the role of government and partner organisations in supporting economic growth.

• Experience of stakeholder engagement, influencing or partnership working across organisational boundaries.

• Knowledge of, interest in, or experience relating to one or more priority Welsh sectors, including in particular Life Sciences and Creative Industries, and an understanding of the opportunities these sectors present for growth, trade and investment.

Note: This is a place-based role. Regular attendance at the Cardiff office, in line with departmental hybrid working arrangements, is required.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Changing and Improving
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,367, Department for Business and Trade contributes £10,245 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible worki