Job summary The Strategy Unit sits in the centre of DCMS as part of the Corporate Strategy Directorate. We are a friendly and high performing team of around 30 people working closely with seniors, private office and expert teams across DCMS.

We support the strategic direction of DCMS through:

• Developing DCMS’s long-term fiscal strategy, responding to funding opportunities and ensuring the Secretary of State’s priorities for spending and tax are effectively articulated to HM Treasury and No 10 - this is where the advertised role sits.
• Developing and progressing the Secretary of State’s strategy and priorities.
• Developing DCMS’s strategy for place and communities, ensuring joined up departmental thinking that aligns with the wider government agenda.
• Understanding long-term trends, future risks and opportunities.

Our broad team remit means there is plenty of opportunity to get involved in many different aspects of the department’s work.

Job description

We are looking for a self-motivated individual with experience in strategy development for this exciting role which will shape the future direction of DCMS.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare for and deliver fiscal events, including the work programme for the upcoming Spending Review. This includes high-impact advice for senior leaders and delivering a negotiation and influencing strategy, while staying adaptable to changing circumstances.
• Lead various strategic initiatives to improve the the financial sustainability of DCMS, its public bodies and its sectors, identifying opportunities for reform, revenue raising and innovative funding.
• Communicate with and influence seniors, ministers and other government departments, through written advice and presentations, to build support for DCMS spending, tax and reform proposals.
• Collaborate and build strong relationships internally including with DCMS Strategic Finance, Analytical and Policy colleagues.
• Monitor national economic and social trends, ensuring that DCMS fiscal policy remains relevant and proactive in addressing future needs.
• Act as a strategic partner for policy teams, providing advice on HM Treasury engagement and helping shape the strategic aspect of business cases.
• Where required, support the wider team as priorities emerge.

Person specification The ideal candidate would have the following key skills and experience, please note that desirable skills will only be used in the event of tied candidates:

Essential requirements:

• Strong problem solving and critical thinking skills, with the ability to proactively identify opportunities and risks and propose solutions.
• Effective communication skills, with experience providing strategic written advice and presentations to senior decision-makers.
• Able to see the bigger picture, including understanding the fiscal and macro-economic environment and embedding this in strategy development.
• Ability to design, drive and manage a complex strategic programme at pace, ensuring timely delivery of outcomes and responding to emerging priorities.
• Effective working together behaviours, able to collaborate with and motivate a range of colleagues and bring internal and external stakeholders along with you.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience of working on fiscal or financial policy and/or Spending Review processes.
• Comfortable incorporating financial information and data into strategic advice.

We are running an information session where prospective applicants can find out more about the role. This will be hosted by Helena Taylor, and will take place on:

• Tuesday 21 July, 2.00pm

The session will be an opportunity to hear more about the role, the team and wider directorate and the department. It will also be an opportunity for you to ask any questions. Please register your interest by 20th July 2026@4pm filling out this Registration form and you will be sent an invitation. Invites will only be sent after this deadline has passed.

Please note that the session will not be recorded and will not focus on the DCMS recruitment process - please direct any queries that you have on this topic (timelines, reasonable adjustments, onboarding etc) to resourcing.team@dcms.gov.uk

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Making Effective Decisions