Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to tackle key transport policy challenges and drive progress.
- Company: Join the Department for Transport, shaping the future of the UK's transport system.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a robust pension scheme with employer contributions.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national transport policies while fostering an inclusive team culture.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience, strong communication skills, and strategic problem-solving abilities required.
- Other info: Hybrid working model available, with opportunities for job share or part-time arrangements.
The predicted salary is between 67313 - 67313 £ per year.
Location: Birmingham, Leeds (Hybrid)
Salary: £67,313 - A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Contract Type: Permanent, Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time
Our new team is being established at the heart of the DfT to support the delivery of the Government's missions, drive progress on the Secretary of State's priorities, and bring innovative policy thinking to bear.
As Head of Missions and Priorities, you will help build and then lead a team working closely with the Secretary of State, her political team, officials across DfT, and external partners to drive progress on key policy challenges and fundamentally improve the nation's transport system.
Top Responsibilities:- Supporting the Deputy Director in advising the Secretary of State and senior officials on policy priorities, operating across the Department to provide thought leadership, external perspectives, and constructive challenge.
- Establishing and leading an inclusive, high-performing, collaborative team of up to ten policy professionals, providing direct line management to five Grade 7s.
- Overseeing the team's work on projects related to the Secretary of State's priorities, ensuring the delivery of high quality, actionable advice for ministers and senior officials on high-profile policy areas.
Alongside your salary of £67,313, the Department for Transport contributes £19,500 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. We offer generous annual leave, attractive pension options, flexible working, inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance.
About you:You will be an engaging and supportive leader with experience of developing and motivating high-performing, professional teams. You will be comfortable leading teams in environments with a high degree of ambiguity and rapidly changing priorities.
You will display outstanding interpersonal, collaboration and communication skills, and the ability to build trusted relationships at all levels. You will be articulate and credible to influence senior leaders within and beyond the Department.
You will bring excellent strategic thinking and problem-solving skills and the capability to break down and address complex issues and communicate complex policy problems clearly and succinctly to a wide range of audiences across the department. You will be highly numerate and comfortable working with a range of data.
Head of Missions and Priorities, Policy Unit in Leeds employer: Department for Transport
Contact Detail:
Department for Transport Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Missions and Priorities, Policy Unit in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the transport policy sector. Attend relevant conferences or seminars where you can meet people who work in similar roles. This will not only give you insights into the industry but also help you establish connections that could be beneficial when applying for the Head of Missions and Priorities position.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the current transport policies and priorities of the Department for Transport. Understanding their strategic goals and challenges will allow you to speak knowledgeably about how you can contribute to their mission during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your leadership skills by sharing specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams in ambiguous situations. Prepare anecdotes that highlight your ability to motivate and develop high-performing teams, as this is a key requirement for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on the latest trends and innovations in transport policy. Being able to discuss recent developments and how they might impact the DfT will show your proactive approach and strategic thinking, making you a more attractive candidate for the position.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Missions and Priorities, Policy Unit in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the responsibilities of the Head of Missions and Priorities role. Focus on leadership, policy development, and team management.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for improving the transport system and how your background makes you a suitable candidate. Mention specific examples of past achievements that demonstrate your strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Highlight Leadership Experience: Emphasise your experience in leading teams, especially in ambiguous environments. Provide examples of how you've motivated and developed high-performing teams to achieve their goals.
Showcase Communication Skills: Demonstrate your outstanding interpersonal and communication skills in your application. Use clear and concise language, and consider including examples of how you've successfully influenced senior leaders or built trusted relationships.
How to prepare for a job interview at Department for Transport
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a candidate for the Head of Missions and Priorities, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership experience. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams, especially in ambiguous situations, and highlight your ability to motivate and develop high-performing professionals.
✨Understand the Policy Landscape
Familiarise yourself with current transport policies and the key challenges facing the Department for Transport. Being able to discuss these topics intelligently will show your commitment and understanding of the role's responsibilities.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Given the need for strong interpersonal skills, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Be prepared to explain complex policy issues succinctly, as this will be essential when advising senior officials and ministers.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-world scenarios. Think about past experiences where you tackled complex issues and be ready to discuss your thought process and the outcomes of your decisions.
