Head of Policy, Strategy and Customer Insight - Making Tax Digital for

This is an exciting opportunity for a confident and resilient leader to making a difference within HMRC's Making Tax Digital for Business Programme (MTDfB).

The Making Tax Digital for Business (MTDfB) programme is at the heart of HMRC's transformation agenda and is one of the Department's highest priorities. We are leading the way in the delivery of modern digital services which are changing how millions of businesses and landlords interact with the tax system.

This is a high profile and fundamental change which has driven extensive interest across the political, business and tax spectrum. This interest is likely only to increase as the programme moves further into delivery and starts to drive out remaining policy choices.

You will work closely with the Programme's Customer Readiness & External Stakeholder team on Parliamentary, senior stakeholder and Ministerial engagement. On the substance of the policy you will work not only with policy colleagues in HMRC and HM Treasury (including Ministers and Special Advisors) but also key external stakeholders proactively driving forward MTD.

Key responsibilities
This is a challenging post in a fast paced and high-profile area, where previous experience of working on strategic and operational tax policy is essential. You will need to ensure that the MTD design and policy is developed based on a thorough understanding of customer needs, embedding compliance throughout the design. You will:

Lead and develop a team of 20, most of whom are based in London.

Drive forward timely, high-quality policy and legislation, delivering a coherent and robust MTD policy framework for customers, aligned with HMRC's strategic direction.

Collaborate on unique cross-cutting policy issues, for example linked to HMRC's relationship with the software industry.

Work closely with delivery colleagues to ensure that MTD artefacts remain true to the overall strategic design, providing challenge and strategic steers.

Promote a strong, collaborative relationship with colleagues in HMRC, HMT, and other Government Departments to develop and implement Making Tax Digital for Business; representing HMRC in meetings with external stakeholders on the substance of the policy.

Manage senior stakeholders, providing liaison and expert policy advice/briefing support on behalf of HMRC, and advising Ministers and their special advisers.

Prepare for future fiscal events, particularly Budgets and Spending Review 2019 where the Programme will be expected to set out a future vision.

Play an active role as a senior leader across the programme; promoting and communicating the MTD vision to a broader audience.

Person Specification
As a senior leader in Customer Strategy & Tax Design Group (CS&TD), you will play a key role in leadership, facilitating change and enhancing our Tax Policies.

Essential Criteria
You will also be able to demonstrate:

Ability to manage senior stakeholders, both internally and externally; confidence in dealing with, and influencing senior officials and Ministers, providing clear and non-technical advice on complex issues.

Ability to work under pressure and to respond quickly to changing circumstances and tight timetables.

Experience of successfully delivering through others and empowering teams to deliver

Experience of policy development and the legislative process ideally within tax policies.

Ability to think strategically and communicate clearly with a diverse audience, providing clear concise answers.

Experience of engaging with specific stakeholders and ministers and/or experience of having performed a similar role in a high profile Government policy area.

Benefits

Pensions

Civil Service pension schemes may be available for successful candidates.

Things you need to know

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check .

Nationality statement

Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules .

If you're applying for a role requiring security clearance please be aware that foreign or dual nationality is not an automatic bar. However certain posts may have restrictions which could affect those who do not have sole British nationality or who have personal connections with certain countries outside the UK.

Selection process details

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non EEA nationals. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here .

Eligibility

Candidates in their probationary period are eligible to apply for vacancies within this department.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.