Sector Manager
Cardiff
New Jobs
Permanent
£35,367 a year
- The role involves driving economic growth in Wales, supporting sectors identified in the Industrial Strategy and connecting businesses with government opportunities.
- The ideal candidate will possess sector intelligence, strong analytical skills, and a passion for promoting economic opportunity in diverse communities.
- Based in Cardiff, the position offers flexible working options, a permanent contract, and a comprehensive Civil Service Pension scheme with substantial employer contributions.
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Contents
- Location
- About the job
- Benefits
- Things you need to know
- Apply and further information
Location
About the job
Job summary
The newly formed Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) is seeking a Sector Manager to join the Wales team within the Local and International Growth Directorate. The Directorate drives economic growth by connecting businesses, places and partners with government support, policy, trade and investment opportunities, using local insight and international networks to unlock growth and remove barriers.
This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of the UK Government's growth agenda. The successful candidate will work closely with and support the Sector Lead to deliver the ambitions of the Industrial Strategy and the Prime Minister's mission to achieve "good growth in every postcode", with a particular focus on supporting some of the UK's priority growth-driving sectors identified within the Industrial Strategy. You will help ensure that businesses and communities across Wales can benefit from economic opportunity and prosperity.
You will help develop sector intelligence, identify and progress growth opportunities, and contribute to policy development and delivery across key Welsh sectors. Working with businesses, local authorities, Welsh Government, universities and other partners, you will help strengthen sector ecosystems, support exports and investment, and ensure Welsh priorities and opportunities are reflected in national policy discussions.
The role requires strong relationship-building and communication skills, an interest in economic development and business growth, and the ability to analyse information and translate insights into practical recommendations. It offers an excellent opportunity to gain experience across policy, stakeholder engagement, trade, investment and place-based growth while making a direct contribution to one of the UK Government's highest priorities.
Job description
Provide Local Insight for Government Growth Policy
- Support the Sector Lead to develop an understanding of sector strengths, challenges and opportunities across Wales, with a focus on sectors aligned to the UK's Industrial Strategy.
- Gather intelligence from businesses, stakeholders and partners to inform policy development and strategic decision-making.
- Produce high-quality briefings, reports and evidence-based insights to support ministers, senior officials and wider government priorities.
- Contribute to the delivery of the Industrial Strategy and the UK Government's ambition to achieve "good growth in every postcode".
Promote Local Business Growth Opportunities
- Work with businesses, local partners and colleagues across BIST to identify and progress opportunities that drive sector growth, productivity and competitiveness.
- Support initiatives relating to exports, innovation, investment and business growth.
- Engage businesses to understand barriers to growth and help shape interventions that unlock opportunities.
- Support the development of sector propositions, case studies and investment opportunities that showcase Welsh strengths.
Collaborate with Local Growth Partners
- Build and maintain effective relationships with businesses, local authorities, Welsh Government, universities, trade associations and other stakeholders.
- Support the Sector Lead to convene partners around shared growth opportunities and priorities.
- Contribute to cross-sector and cross-government projects, sharing intelligence and best practice to maximise impact.
- Help ensure Welsh priorities and opportunities are reflected in local and national growth discussions.
Integrate Domestic and International Growth Delivery
- Work with BIST's trade, investment and international teams to support a joined-up approach to growth.
- Help connect Welsh businesses with export opportunities, overseas markets and international networks.
- Support activity that promotes Wales as a destination for trade and investment, including contributing to the development of the Brand Wales programme.
- Ensure local sector strengths and opportunities are reflected in wider UK and international growth initiatives.
Person specification
The below is a list of characteristics which may be helpful in this role. These will not be assessed throughout the recruitment process, but are laid out to help candidates understand more about the role.
We are looking for a proactive and collaborative individual with an interest in economic growth and business development. The successful candidate will be comfortable working with a wide range of stakeholders, analysing information and translating insights into practical recommendations that support growth across Wales.
We welcome applications from candidates with a variety of professional backgrounds. You may come from a policy, business, economic development, trade, investment, stakeholder engagement or partnership-working background. What matters most is your ability to build relationships, analyse information and demonstrate a passion for delivering growth outcomes for Wales.
Essential Criteria
The below criteria are essential and will be assessed at application stage;
- Demonstrable experience of building and maintaining effective relationships with a range of stakeholders, and the ability to work collaboratively to achieve shared objectives.
- Experience of gathering, analysing and interpreting information from multiple sources, and using evidence to inform recommendations, policy development or decision-making.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear and concise briefings, reports and correspondence for different audiences.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work at pace.
- Knowledge, experience or interest in economic development, trade, investment or place-based policy.
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;
- Awareness of the economic, political and policy landscape in Wales, including the role of government and partner organisations in supporting economic growth.
- Experience of stakeholder engagement, influencing or partnership working across organisational boundaries.
- Knowledge of, interest in, or experience relating to one or more priority Welsh sectors, including in particular Life Sciences and Creative Industries, and an understanding of the opportunities these sectors present for growth, trade and investment.
Note: This is a place-based role. Regular attendance at the Cardiff office, in line with departmental hybrid working arrangements, is required.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Changing and Improving
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing
- Seeing the Big Picture
Benefits
- 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%
We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.
Things you need to know
Artificial intelligence
Selection process details
Please note, following a recent change to the Machinery of Government, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) will be renamed to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) as of 20th July 2026. BIST will connect the UK?s world-class science and technology base directly to the businesses, places and workers that will drive good growth across the country. Such changes will not affect the selection process for this campaign; however, we wanted to take this opportunity to advise you of the recent changes to our department.
You can find further information here regarding recent governmental changes Machinery of Government changes: Fact Sheet - GOV.UK.
Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception.
Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.
To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application:
- A Personal Statement of up to 500 words, explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role.
- A CV setting out your education and career history, with key responsibilities and achievements (2 x A4 pages maximum).
Your application will be sifted against the Experience criteria of the Civil Service Success Profiles.
We aim to sift both the CV and the Personal Statement but, in the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift may be conducted on the Personal Statement only. Candidates who pass the initial sift of the Personal Statement will either progressed to a full sift where the CV is then assessed, or progressed straight to further assessment/interview.
Candidates who pass the sift will be invited to interview, where we will assess you on the Success Profiles elements of Behaviours and Strengths.
It is likely that the sift will take place 1-2 weeks after the closing date and interviews 3-5 weeks after the closing date, though this is subject to change, and will depend on the number of applications received.
Reasonable Adjustments
We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment:
Complete the ?Assistance required? section on the ?Additional requirements? page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process.
Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service at DBTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
Further Information:
- A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve Lists will be for each location and appointments made in merit order based on location preferences.
- Any move to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments.
- The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.
- New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
- Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty. Any applicant who has details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
- A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
- Terms and Conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
- Please note ? the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.
- Candidates that do not quite meet the standard for this role may be offered a position at a lower grade.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Vetting
The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years. Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter .
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Gemma Nesbitt
- Email : gemma.nesbitt@businessandtrade.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dbtrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DBT by email: Resourcing@businessandtrade.gov.uk.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.
For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints.
Cardiff
New Jobs
Permanent
£35,367 a year