Senior Policy Adviser (Civil Maritime), UK Defence & Security Exports

This role provides an exciting opportunity to join DBT’s maritime team which is based in the UK Defence & Security (UKDSE) Directorate, leading on policy development and implementation for one of the UK’s most important manufacturing sectors. The team oversees trade and investment across the maritime sector, from shipyards and ports to marine engineering and new technologies, SMEs in the space and maritime services.

The shipbuilding subsector is a high priority for the government and the UK is the world-leader in maritime professional services which unmatched expertise in insurance, chartering, legal, financial service and education and skills. The importance of the sector is recognised across government with continued engagement with industry and other government departments such as the Department of Transport, Treasury and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

There will be an opportunity to match the successful candidate’s skillset with the role, however it’s expected the post holder will be the lead on either ports or maritime professional services and strategy. The role will also have a geographic responsibility This role offers a leadership role in the team with line management of an HEO and possibly at least one industry contractor seconded to the team.

This role is a fantastic chance to work with Ministers, stakeholders and industry to ensure successful delivery of DBT’s trade and investment objectives and to ensure the UK maritime sector takes advantage of opportunities presented by the transition to net zero and the advent of autonomous vessels. The Senior Policy Adviser role is a business facing role and the successful candidate will create and deliver relationships with businesses, stakeholders other government departments and the overseas network.

Core activity will include developing and delivering our trade and investment strategy for Maritime. The role will also include work on priority export campaigns, attracting investment and collaborating closely with the colleagues in our key markets (especially Asia Pacific and North America) to ensure that the UK export and investment offer is conveyed as clearly as possible to buyers and investors in-market. There will be an opportunity to develop an understanding of account management, to work with individual companies in specific markets and for both UK and international travel.

There will also be an opportunity to take on corporate responsibilities within the team, for example: creating marketing collateral in collaboration with our marketing team and building capability within the team about trade policy matters.

There will be a need to account for delivery within set budgetary limits, so some oversight of budgetary work will be part of the role. The team also consists of an HEO, an SEO who focuses on investment, and a G7 lead.

Line management responsibility: 1x HEO, possibly 1x Specialist contractor