Defence Equipment and Support
Deputy Director Strategic Partnering

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Deputy Director for Strategic Partnering
The Deputy Director for Strategic Partnering operates within the Options Development area of the Plans & Portfolio Directorate, which forms part of the National Armaments Director Group.
About the Role
Options Development acts as a front door into the National Armaments Director Group, working across the whole of the Ministry of Defence, Front Line Commands, industry, academia and international partners to understand demand, shape problems and connect decision-makers with the expertise they need. We are building a genuinely collaborative, One Defence approach - one that reduces duplication, improves coherence and helps Defence focus its effort on what matters most.
This role is about people and partnerships. You will lead strategic engagement across Defence, build trusted relationships at the most senior levels, and create the conditions for diverse teams to come together and solve complex challenges. You will help shape priorities, enable better decisions and ensure that commissioned activity remains aligned to Defence's strategic objectives.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Just as importantly, you will help build the organisation itself. We want Options Development to be a place where accountability, collaboration, adaptability and continuous improvement are more than values on a page. We are creating a Directorate that is scalable, data-led and constantly learning - empowering our people to challenge constructively, innovate confidently and deliver outcomes that make a tangible difference. We are looking for an inclusive and authentic leader who is comfortable working through complexity, building trust across organisational boundaries and turning ideas into action. Someone who takes ownership of outcomes, who values partnership over hierarchy, and who is motivated by enabling others to succeed.


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
This is a unique opportunity to shape a new organisation, influence decisions at the heart of Defence, and help build the relationships, systems and ways of working that will underpin Defence's future success. If that excites you, we would be delighted to hear from you.
More Information
Please review the candidate pack included in CS Jobs advert for full details. [https://www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/index.cgi?SID=dXNlcnNlYXJjaGNvbnRleHQ9MjAyOTM1NTE2JnBhZ2VhY3Rpb249dmlld3ZhY2J5am9ibGlzdCZvd25lcj01MDcwMDAwJm93bmVydHlwZT1mYWlyJnNlYXJjaHBhZ2U9MSZwYWdlY2xhc3M9Sm9icyZqb2JsaXN0X3ZpZXdfdmFjPTIwMDg1MTkmc2VhcmNoc29ydD1zY29yZSZyZXFzaWc9MTc4NjAzNTQ1NC0zMDRmYzEzZWY0YTRkZDhjOWM0MWViZjliOGM0MTQ1OTRkZDlkZjNk]
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location