The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is the department for economic growth. We support businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities across the country. We operate in an increasingly dynamic international environment, with a range of forces rapidly reshaping the global economy. To meet this challenge, the Government launched a new Modern Industrial Strategy in June 2025.
The Local and International Growth directorate within DBT supports economic growth across the UK by strengthening places, enabling businesses, and connecting local economies to national and international opportunity driving jobs, higher living standards and inclusive growth.
We do that by providing local policy insight and influence to shape growth policy, drive big bet interventions to support business growth in each area, collaborate with local partners to deliver growth outcomes, and connect DBTs international network to unlock global growth opportunities for businesses across UK.
The Local and International Growth Scotland team plays a central role in driving trade, investment, and economic growth across Scotland. Working closely with the Scottish Government, its agencies, and local partners, the team acts as DBTs on-the-ground presence, providing critical insight into regional opportunities, supporting Scottish-based businesses to access export markets, and attracting high-value domestic and international investment into Scotland. The team combines policy insight, international connections, and strong local partnerships to develop and promote Scotlands competitive strengths, support investment delivery, and contribute to sustainable regional growth.
Role 1 (Sector Manager)
1. Provide Local Insight for Government Growth Policy
2. Promote Local Business Growth Opportunities
3. Collaborate with Local Growth Partners
4. Integrate Domestic and International Growth Delivery
Role 2 (Events and Sector Manager)
1. Provide Local Insight for Government Growth Policy
2. Promote Local Business Growth Opportunities
3. Collaborate with Local Growth Partners
4. Integrate Domestic and International Growth Delivery
Essential Skills
The below criteria are essential and will be assessed at application stage;
Strong stakeholder management skills and confidence working across government, partner organisations and business-facing networks.Desirable Skills
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;
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
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.
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:
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 progress 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, Experience 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.
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.
Further Information:
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure Scotland 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.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk
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.
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
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