Head of Capability

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) helps businesses invest, innovate, export and grow across the UK. The Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) directorate helps to deliver this by designing, building and running the services, platforms and technology that businesses and colleagues rely on every day. 

Our teams work on a wide range of services and technologies, including: 

• Digital services that help businesses access government support, guidance and opportunities 
• Data and AI products that support decision making and enable innovation 
• Internal tools and services that help colleagues work more effectively 
• Secure technology and platforms that support critical government services 
• Cyber security services that protect systems, data and users 

By joining DDaT, you'll work on services used by businesses, colleagues and citizens across the UK. You'll be part of multidisciplinary teams focused on improving services, solving complex problems and delivering better outcomes for users. 

We are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace. In recognition of this, we were named Best Public Sector Employer at the Women in Tech Employer Awards 2025! 

As the Head of Capability, you will provide strategic leadership for capability across DDaT, shaping how we identify, develop and retain the skills we need now and in the future. You will lead our approach to professional capability, skills development, career pathways, talent and succession planning, ensuring our people have opportunities to develop and that DDaT continues to build the specialist capability it needs.  

You will work closely with senior leaders, Heads of Profession, professional communities and corporate partners to understand capability priorities and turn these into effective, evidence-based interventions. You will also provide leadership tothe Capability team, using workforce and skills insight to support longer-term capability planning and informed decision making across DDaT. 

Main responsibilities  

You will: 

• Set the strategic direction for capability across DDaT, developing and delivering an approach that supports our current priorities and prepares our people and professions for future skills needs 
• Lead our approach to professional capability and skills frameworks, ensuring they are embedded effectively and continue to support meaningful skills assessment, development and career progression 
• Use capability and workforce insight to identify skills gaps, emerging needs and organisational risks, translating evidence into clear priorities and recommendations for senior leaders 
• Work in partnership with Heads of Profession and DDaT SMT to understand capability needs and develop targeted approaches to strengthen specialist skills across DDaT 
• Shape our approach to learning, development and career pathways, ensuring colleagues have access to meaningful opportunities to build their skills, develop professionally and progress their careers 
• Lead our strategic approach to talent and succession planning, helping to build sustainable capability in critical and specialist areas and supporting the development of future talent, for example through Fast Stream and Apprenticeships 
• Lead, support and develop the Capability team, setting clear priorities, enabling effective delivery and creating an inclusive and collaborative environment where colleagues can do their best work 

It is essential that you have: 

• Experience and understanding of the DDaT Pay and Capability Framework or similar professional framework  
• CIPD Qualified to Level 5/ Level 7 or relevant professional experience  
• Proven experience of line managing and developing people, supporting individuals to perform effectively while creating an inclusive and collaborative working environment 
• Experience in identifying and addressing organisational capability and skills needs, using approaches such as learning and development, career pathways, talent development, mentoring, professional communities or succession planning 
• The ability to use data and insight to inform decision-making, identifying trends, risks and opportunities and translating these into clear recommendations and priorities 
• The ability to build effective relationships and influence senior stakeholders, working collaboratively across organisational boundaries and constructively challenging where appropriate 

It is desirable that you have: 

• Experience of Fast Stream and early talent programmes   

Security clearance: Security Check