Head of Digital Economy Full Time

Darlington, County Durham
HM TREASURY-1

Are you looking for an opportunity to work in one of the Chancellor’s priority areas, central to the Government’s plans for long term economic growth? If so, we’d love to hear from you!

Science, innovation and digital technology transform how we live and work. This brings new opportunities to unlock economic growth, improve productivity and create high skilled jobs. The Science, Technology & Access to Finance (STAF) team advises on how the UK can make the most of this opportunity. We supervise spending by, and lead HM Treasury’s relationship with, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). We are also responsible for HM Treasury policy on the government’s 5 priority technologies – AI, quantum, telecoms, semiconductors and engineering biology. We set HM Treasury’s strategy for the digital technology sector, one of the Chancellor’s five growth sectors.

About the Job

We are looking for a Head of Digital Economy to join us in this exciting and innovative role. No two weeks in this role are the same and you can expect to work on high profile policy projects.

You will lead a branch of 6 people, developing policy and coordinating government spending to grow the UK tech sector and promote the successful and safe use of digital tech and data across the economy. The branch covers a wide range of technology policy issues, including leading Treasury policy on AI, on the development of the UK tech sector, and on online safety, and working with STAF team colleagues on semiconductors policy (another of the government’s five critical technologies).

Key Accountabilities:

1. Set HM Treasury’s strategy for the digital economy, developing new policies to bolster UK tech leadership while managing risks, and ensuring cross-cutting policies (on areas such as skills, R&D, and access to finance) respond to the needs of the digital economy.
2. Lead the six-person branch to deliver across a fast-paced and constantly evolving brief, ensuring priorities are clearly defined and promoting an encouraging and inclusive culture.
3. Lead Treasury work on scrutinising digital and data-related spending, including at Spending Reviews and other fiscal events, ensuring investment is well-targeted and value for money.
4. Represent HM Treasury in senior-level Whitehall discussions on digital and tech policy.
5. Build and maintain positive relationships in government, including across HM Treasury, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Cabinet Office and No.10 Policy Unit.
6. Lead HM Treasury’s relationship with the tech sector, engaging with a wide range of stakeholders.

About You

Our ideal candidate will be enthusiastic about working on complicated issues; using strong analytical skills and collaboration with others, to assess different factors and apply good judgements to conclusions. You will be a strong leader, able to apply long term vision and creative thinking to the considerations of wider politics or sensitivities affecting a policy area. Lastly, you’ll be experienced in developing and empowering others through leadership and management, with the ability to collaborate effectively to deliver policy objectives.

About Us

HM Treasury is proud of a diverse and inclusive work environment, committed to fairness and the promotion of equality of opportunity for all. We know that having a range of experiences, ways of working and thinking makes us a stronger organisation, better at developing policy that is reflective of the communities we serve. We embrace different views and experiences and value the fresh perspective that people from a variety of circumstances bring to the work we do. We welcome applications from candidates who have not previously worked for the Civil Service, mid- and late-career changers with transferrable skills, people from all backgrounds and circumstances regardless of disability, ethnicity, LGBT+ identity and socio-economic status.

Some of the benefits our people love!

• 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays and the King’s birthday (unless you have a legacy arrangement as an existing Civil Servant). Additionally, we operate flexitime systems, allowing employees to take up to an additional 2 days off each month
• Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours)
• Generous parental and adoption leave packages
• Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions of 27%
• Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme and season ticket advances
• A range of active staff networks, based around interests (e.g. analysts, music society, sports and social club) and diversity (e.g. women in the Treasury, ethnic minority network, LGBT network, faith and belief network)

For more information about the role and how to apply, please follow the apply link.

If you need any reasonable adjustments to take part in the selection process, please tell us about this in your online application form, or speak to the recruitment team at