Deputy Director, Future Industries and Resilient Economies
| Posting date: | 23 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £81,000 to £117,800 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 08 March 2026 |
| Location: | Cardiff |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 449350/3 |
Summary
As well as taking significant steps to make it easier and simpler to do business in the UK, the Strategy has made positive choices: backing eight sectors (IS-8) with the highest growth potential, and the frontier industries at their leading edge – and targeting the places and clusters across the UK that support those sectors.
A distinguishing feature of our work partnership. The Unit collaborates with sector- and policy-owning departments across central government, with local and devolved government, international counterparts, trade unions and, crucially, business, both to deliver the commitments set out in the Strategy, and respond to emerging risks and opportunities. A crucial component of this is our work with the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council whose members provide independent expert advice on the delivery of the Industrial Strategy through engagement with stakeholders and the development of a strong evidence base.
The Industrial Strategy Unit sits within the same directorate as the Industrial Energy Unit, charged with delivering the Industrial Strategy’s flagship British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS), which will reduce electricity prices for thousands of businesses.
Candidate Information Call
The hiring manager for this position; Kalada Bruce-Jaja will be hosting a virtual call for any interested applicants to discuss the role and answer any questions. Please note this is not part of the formal assessment process.
This will be held via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday 3rd March at 11am (UK time).
Please click here for the meeting link - https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/31423391106220?p=PYo9u191WUxDu1XlDe
This is an exciting opportunity for experienced policy leader to make a tangible difference to people’s lives throughout the UK, enabling our economy to navigate changing geopolitics and seize the technological opportunities of the decade to come. The successful candidate will lead the Future Industries and Resilient Economy division and play a central leadership role in delivering the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy. The team work across Government to facilitate high impact policy development and delivery of each of the “IS-8” sector plans. This involves the full spectrum of policy incubation, influencing and implementation, and leading our work on strategic international partnerships.
The role requires senior leadership within the Unit, across government and internationally – shaping our culture and building a community of expertise and genuine shared endeavour across 12 departments. You will work closely with Ministers, businesses, No 10 and international partners.
Key responsibilities include:
- Provide senior leadership within ISU, DBT and across government, developing a high performing multidisciplinary team and championing wellbeing, strong line management and capability building.
- Implement the Industrial Strategy’s eight sector plans, ensuring clear ownership, unblocking issues, supporting delivery and maintaining strong alignment with ministers and Whitehall.
- Influence horizontal levers (energy, innovation, international, economic security, data, net zero) to support the IS-8, working closely with departments cutting levers (energy, innovation, international, economic security, data, net zero) and managing competing departmental interests.
- Incubate new policy ideas, identifying opportunities, such as AI Growth Zones, civil-military collaboration and procurement reform.
- Build strategic partnerships with business, international partners, local leaders and other stakeholders, to ensure robust and effective policy.
This role will report to the Director for Industrial Strategy and lead a division of 12 people.
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