At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the FSA in strengthening the UK's food system resilience and managing risks.
- Company: Join a pivotal role at the Food Standards Agency, shaping national food safety.
- Benefits: Competitive salary of c£115,000 with opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative team of 175 people with a focus on innovation and transparency.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on food safety and resilience in a fast-changing environment.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership skills and ability to analyse complex data under pressure.
The predicted salary is between 69000 - 83000 € per year.
Are you ready to lead the FSA’s work to strengthen the resilience of the UK food system at a time of significant change? We are recruiting our first Director of System Resilience, a pivotal member of the Executive Management Team reporting directly to the Chief Executive. This is a rare opportunity to shape and lead a newly configured directorate that will play a central role in how the FSA anticipates, assesses and responds to risks across the food safety and authenticity landscape.
You will oversee the FSA’s work as a central competent authority, ensuring we manage risk across the food system with increasing agility and intelligence. Bringing together regulatory assurance, local authority delivery, business engagement, incident prevention and response, organisational resilience and our new Risk and Intelligence Hub, your directorate will strengthen our capability to detect, prevent and respond to emerging threats in a fast‑moving environment.
You will lead improvements in our engagement with local authorities and food businesses, deepening our understanding of operating conditions across the system and driving better, more transparent performance. You will also strengthen our incident response and resilience functions, ensuring the FSA is well prepared for future shocks and able to coordinate calm, decisive leadership during major events. You will represent the FSA in UK‑wide resilience planning and hold lead responsibility for key food-related risks on the National Risk Register.
We are seeking an outstanding system leader, someone who can draw insight from complex data, inspire coordinated action across organisational and sector boundaries, and provide confident judgement under pressure. You will set the tone for a directorate of around 175 people, bringing together existing and new teams and ensuring they operate collaboratively, intelligently and with a clear sense of purpose.
If you are motivated by the opportunity to shape a nationally significant agenda and strengthen the resilience of the UK’s food system for the future, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Working pattern guidance: If applying as a job share partnership, you should both complete separate application forms on Civil Service Jobs but should make it clear that you are applying as job sharers. Applicants who wish to work compressed hours are welcome to apply - however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying. This role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years.
Director of System Resilience c£115,000 employer: Food Standards Agency
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead the charge in enhancing the resilience of the UK food system. With a commitment to fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture, employees benefit from professional growth opportunities and the chance to make a significant impact on public health and safety. Located at the heart of the UK's regulatory landscape, the FSA provides a supportive environment where your leadership can drive meaningful change in a dynamic sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of System Resilience c£115,000
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the food safety and resilience sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the FSA’s recent initiatives and challenges. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about the mission. Tailor your responses to highlight how your experience aligns with their goals in strengthening the UK food system.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership pitch! As a potential Director of System Resilience, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to inspire and lead teams. Think about examples from your past where you’ve successfully managed complex projects or led teams through challenging situations.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Make sure your application reflects your enthusiasm for shaping the future of the UK food system!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of System Resilience c£115,000
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Director of System Resilience role. Highlight your experience in managing risks and leading teams, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:We want to see how you can inspire and lead a large team. Share examples of how you've successfully managed diverse groups and driven collaborative efforts in previous roles. This is your chance to shine!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to convey your ideas and experiences, making it easy for us to see why you're the perfect fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our official website! This ensures that we receive all the necessary information and helps us process your application smoothly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Food Standards Agency
✨Understand the Role and Its Impact
Before the interview, dive deep into the job description. Understand how the Director of System Resilience will influence the UK food system. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the responsibilities of overseeing risk management and incident response.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership. Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to inspire teams and drive collaboration across different sectors. Think about times when you successfully led a team through a challenging situation or implemented significant changes.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your judgement under pressure. Prepare for scenario-based questions where you might need to outline how you would respond to specific risks or incidents in the food system. Practise articulating your thought process clearly and confidently.
✨Engage with Current Issues
Stay updated on current challenges facing the UK food system. Be prepared to discuss recent events or trends and how they relate to resilience. This shows your commitment to the role and your proactive approach to understanding the landscape you'll be working in.
