Cabinet Office seeks head for team designed to help UK capitalise on new status as independent nation

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The Cabinet Office has launched a recruitment campaign to find a director for its new Brexit Opportunities Unit and is offering up to £120,000 a year for a candidate who can help “drive forward innovation”.

Designed to capitalise on the UK’s new freedoms following the end of the EU transition period, the Brexit Opportunities Unit will support Cabinet Office minister and chief Brexit negotiator Lord David Frost’s work to maximise potential economic and political gains.

The Cabinet Office said the unit would play a crucial role in setting the strategy for the government’s ambitious approach to regulation, reviewing and reforming existing policy and regulation and supporting the scrutiny and introduction of new regulation. 

Its job description said the post of director would require someone who could work across government departments, change existing thinking and develop partnerships with senior stakeholders – including the prime minister – to ensure ministerial priorities were met.

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The Cabinet Office said the successful candidate would have “a record of original research of the highest calibre or of influential thought leadership”; “experience of producing creative economic, regulatory or policy initiatives”; and “the credibility to command confidence and trust at the most senior levels”.

Frost was controversially in line to become the UK’s next national security adviser until he was handed a cabinet-level post overseeing the future of the nation’s relationship with the European Union in February.

He said the Brexit Opportunities Unit would have a key part to play in making the most of a unique period for the nation.

“The new Brexit Opportunities Unit will review and reshape rules and regulations to boost growth and drive forward innovation, working across government on policies to maximise new opportunities from Brexit as an independent nation,” he said. “We’re looking for a visionary, inventive and dedicated leader to come on board to help us shape the future policy direction of the UK.”

The director role is based in London and is graded at SCS Pay Band 2. It is open to applications until 18 July. Interviews for shortlisted candidates are expected to take place in mid-to-late September.

The Cabinet Office is also hiring a deputy director for strategy and analysis to join the Brexit Opportunities Unit team.