Senior Policy Advisor

Job summary

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) is at the heart of the Government's mission to drive economic growth through innovation, technology and business transformation.

Working across government, BIST is leading an ambitious programme that will transform how businesses interact with government services online. BIST, in partnership with the Government Digital Service’s new Business Unit, is leading cross government digital transformation to offer businesses a ‘front door’ to simpler, more proactive, and personalised digital services. It will reduce time spent searching for information and accessing services, saving time and money so businesses can focus on the things that really matter.

This work sits at the intersection of economic growth, digital transformation, innovation and public service reform. It is a high-profile ministerial priority that brings together policy, technology, data and delivery to improve outcomes for businesses across the UK.

Job description

We are looking for two talented Senior Policy Advisors to join our Strategy and Policy team. This is a rare opportunity to play a key role in shaping the policy foundations of a major cross-government transformation programme. Working at the intersection of economic growth, digital reform and public service transformation, you will help develop innovative policy solutions, influence strategic decisions and support delivery of a high-profile ministerial priority that will influence how government serves businesses for years to come.

You will work with colleagues from across Whitehall, alongside legal, analytical, delivery and digital teams, helping to develop policy solutions that balance ambition, practicality and public value.

Whether your background is in digital, economic, regulatory, public service or wider policy development, this role offers the chance to contribute to a programme with genuine national impact while developing expertise in one of the most exciting areas of modern government.

Role 1: Digital Business Identity Senior Policy Advisor

The Digital Business Identity Senior Policy Advisor will assist in the development, coordination, and implementation of policy initiatives that support the delivery of the Programme, in particular digital identity and business verification services.

The role’s responsibilities will include:

• Shape and support implementation of a policy framework for Digital Business Identity (DBID) ensuring alignment with wider government priorities, standards and legislative requirements.
• Support the development of legal, regulatory and governance frameworks required to enable delivery, working closely with legal, technical and delivery experts across government.
• Produce high-quality policy advice, briefing and submissions for senior officials and ministers relating to core aspects of the programme’s delivery, such as impacts on business support, growth and productivity, counter fraud, and data use.
• Conduct research and analysis to identify emerging opportunities, risks and trends and inform policy options and recommendations.
• Monitoring legislative, regulatory, and strategic developments, assessing their implications for the programme and advising on potential policy responses.
• Build and maintain strong relationships across Whitehall and beyond, working with government departments, regulators, delivery partners and business stakeholders to develop policy, build consensus and drive delivery.

Role 2: Digital Platform Senior Policy Advisor

The Digital Platform Senior Policy Advisor will lead the development and coordination of policy to support the delivery of the digital platform solution. Working collaboratively across the programme and wider government, the postholder will use evidence and insights from government, industry and users to shape policy requirements, ensure alignment with strategic objectives, and support the successful implementation of the platform. The role will play a key part in translating complex policy issues into clear, actionable requirements that enable effective programme delivery.

The role’s responsibilities will include:

• Supporting development of policy positions and evidence on key aspects of the Programme, such as counter fraud, reduction in business admin burdens, increasing uptake in business support, data sharing, and driving growth and productivity.
• Supporting the drafting and development of policy documents, briefings, and ministerial submissions related to core aspects of delivery.
• Conducting research and analysis to inform policy options and recommendations, including synthesising analytical, legal and delivery insights into clear, actionable advice.
• Monitoring legislative, regulatory, and strategic developments relevant to the Programme and summarising implications for decision makers.
• Coordinating cross government policy alignment and stakeholder engagement, including organising working level forums, capturing actions, and tracking follow-up with departments and external partners.
• Supporting the programme’s strategic co-ordination and business case activity, including contributing to the Strategic Case and helping colleagues set a clear strategic narrative for ministers and senior officials.
• Ad hoc support across the Programme’s Strategy & Policy team as required.

Person specification

Essential criteria

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

• Experience in policy development in a regulated environment, including cross-government coordination and stakeholder engagement.
• Capable of managing and delivering multiple tasks efficiently under tight deadlines.
• Adaptability and resilience in handling ambiguous and unpredictable scenarios.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to assess evidence, navigate complexity and develop clear recommendations.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability and experience of working collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams (e.g. legal, technical, delivery, analysis).

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.

• Knowledge of digital identity, data governance, or business support policy areas.
• Experience developing policy for cross‑departmental digital transformation programmes.
• Familiarity with legislative processes.
• Understanding of digital government services for businesses.

Behaviours

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,913, Department for Business and Trade contributes £13,011 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 working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

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