Deputy Director Classification, Origin, Valuation & Tariff

Job summary

Borders & Trade (B&T) is at the heart of developing the UK’s customs system of the future. It is responsible for high-profile work within HMRC to support the Government's ambition to create the world's most effective border. ​

Customs Policy and Strategy (CP&S) is responsible for policy development, implementation, maintenance and improvement of the UK customs regime inline with Government priorities and Ministerial objectives.​

This is an exciting and high-profile leadership role in CP&S. You will lead a large team responsible for polices covering the ‘core determinants’ for arriving at the correct customs duty: the classification, valuation, and origin of goods. The team is responsible for working with other government departments to design and implement changes to the UK Global Tariff and provide detailed customs tariff information to millions of traders and intermediaries.​

This role offers the opportunity to: ​

• Lead a team of around 115 staff, including a large classification service.​
• Collaborate across government to develop trade policy that takes account of operational considerations.​
• Deliver innovations and improvements to the UK tariff and how we engage with customers.​
• Work across HMRC and the wider Borders & Trade group to drive delivery of customs policy priorities. ​

We are looking for a strong and collaborative leader with experience of leading complex policy portfolios, building relationships at senior levels and managing large, multidisciplinary teams. ​

Job description

Working directly to the Director of Customs Policy and Strategy (CP&S) within HMRC’s Borders and Trade Group, the successful applicant will be responsible for leading the Classification, Origin, Valuation and Tariff team. ​

The successful candidate will also sit on the Directorate’s senior leadership team and can expect to regularly brief the Director General of Borders and Trade, permanent secretaries, and ministers. ​

The Classification, Origin, Valuation and Tariff team is responsible for the policies covering the ‘core determinants’ for arriving at the correct customs duty: the classification, valuation, and origin of goods. The team is responsible for working with other government departments to design and implement changes to the UK Global Tariff and provide detailed customs tariff information to millions of traders and intermediaries. The breadth of the responsibility includes involvement in critical government policy, such as sanctions, trade defence policies, and significant involvement in trade agreements.​

• Strategy and policy leadership as well as delivery oversight across a wide range of priorities. ​
• Leadership and management of several G6 led teams, including a large, public-facing classification service team. ​
• Working closely with HM Treasury policy partners, other government departments and key internal and external stakeholders. ​
• Close working with other parts of the Borders & Trade Group to ensure customs policy objectives are reflected in and aligned to wider Group and Departmental strategies. ​
• Working as part of the wider CP&S senior leadership team to manage the Directorate and make CP&S a great place to work. ​

Management of People​

• This role involves the management of a team of around 115 staff, which is split between a policy function and more operational teams.​

Person specification

The successful applicant will need to demonstrate relevant experience and effective delivery of the following essential criteria:​

• Significant leadership experience within the trade or customs sphere.​
• A strong ability to influence and build relationships at all levels, and to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders to deliver joined-up outcomes. ​
• Excellent leadership skills with the ability to nurture and build capability within teams, the ability to motivate people towards stretching goals, and to inspire the team and delivery partners to engage fully with our business plans and HMRC’s long term vision. ​
• Evidence of strong communication skills with the ability to communicate with conviction and clarity to ensure you can influence and take a diverse set of stakeholders including colleagues across Whitehall and the borders & trade community with you. ​
• Strong focus on delivery with the ability to respond quickly to changing circumstances and tight timescales as priorities evolve and escalate. ​
• Excellent written and oral briefing skills, with the ability to confidently and concisely brief senior officials and ministers. ​

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £86,000, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £24,914 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).

Pension

Your Civil Service pension is a valuable part of your total reward and is one of your biggest benefits.

When you join the Civil Service, you get access to the alpha pension with a generous employer contribution of 28.97% and some of the lowest member contributions in the public sector.

Please visit Civil Service Pension Scheme for more information.

Annual Leave and Bank Holiday Allowance​

25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service (allowance pro-rata for part-time colleagues).

This is complemented by one days paid privilege leave to mark the King’s Birthday and is in addition to your public holidays.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion ​

The Civil Service values and supports all its employees. At HMRC we want to create great places to work that are welcoming to all – where there is a strong sense of belonging and community.​

We embed inclusion in everything we do. Senior Civil Servants play a crucial role in promoting and maintaining inclusive behaviours, addressing disparities and reporting progress.

Our HMRC equality objectives 2024-2028 describe how we are working to become a more inclusive and representative organisation reflective of our values.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

All Criminal Record Checks applications are considered fairly in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Recruitment of ex-offenders Policy.

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