Head of Stakeholder Engagement, International and Briefing

Job summary

Can you keep calm under pressure?

Do you have extensive experience supporting a developing business sector?

Can you lead a team to get things done quickly and take people with you?

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

Within OZEV, the Vehicle, Consumer, and Strategy (VCS) division is creating the conditions for increased EV ownership with vehicle incentives, cyber security, and public engagement alongside supporting corporate functions for the rest of the directorate.

Leading the Stakeholder Engagement, International and Briefing Team, managing a team and overseeing high-profile correspondence, Parliamentary Questions and Ministerial Invitations. You will provide strategic direction, quality assurance and briefing support for Ministers and senior leaders, working across government and with external partners.

This is an excellent opportunity to develop expertise in electric vehicles, charge point infrastructure and transport policy, while building relationships with senior stakeholders, industry representatives and international partners in a fast-paced and influential environment.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King’s birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Find out more about what it's like working a Working in Policy , Civil Service Careers

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Job description

The transition to zero emission vehicles receives significant public and parliamentary scrutiny. The role holder will be responsible for ensuring clear communication of the Government’s policies and plans to a range of stakeholders, through different products and approaches. Key to this role is the ability to lead and manage others, and communicate confidently at all levels, from Ministers to industry leaders.

• Lead the team responsible for Ministerial and external engagement on zero emission vehicles, including advising on management of stakeholder relationships.
• Through your team, deliver high-quality responses to a variety of parliamentary questions, correspondence, Ministerial briefings and debate packs.
• Develop and maintain strong links across government departments and industry, to understand emerging issues which may impact the zero emission vehicle transition.
• Work closely with DfT press office to ensure media outlets receive accurate and timely information.
• Work closely with teams across departments responsible for transport and energy to inform international negotiations and ensure they align with UK commitments around zero emission vehicles.
• Work with teams across DfT to advise on bilateral and multilateral international engagement, to inform and shape UK domestic policy development.
• Oversight of and management of the SEIB team.

Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills they need. We aim to empower line managers to create teams where people can flourish and deliver excellent outcomes for the public.

For further information on the role, please read the attached role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

Person specification

The successful candidate will have the following skills and experience:

• Experience working in an external facing communications or engagement role.
• Experience developing and maintaining strong, effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, maximising the opportunities to achieve organisational objectives.
• Experience leading teams directly or indirectly, and delivering high-quality outcomes through others.
• Experience writing and copy-editing high-quality texts to deliver succinct messages on complex issues.

Additional Information

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.

Occasional travel to other offices will be required, which may involve overnight stays.

If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).

Visa Sponsorship

DfTc does not offer Visa Sponsorship for this role.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Leadership
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £57,515, Department for Transport contributes £16,662 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).

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies (opens in a new window).

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 candi