Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Deputy Head, Office for Quantum
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Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, London, Salford
Job Summary
At DSIT we’re all about improving people’s lives by maximising the potential of science & technology.
We accelerate innovation, investment and productivity through world-class science, research and development.
We use technology for good by ensuring new and existing technologies are safely developed and deployed across the UK, with the benefits more widely shared.
We are driving forward a modern digital government which gives citizens a more satisfying experience and their time back.
We do all this to enable the Government’s 5 national missions: kickstarting economic growth, making Britain a clean energy superpower, taking back our streets, breaking down barriers to opportunity and building an NHS fit for the future.
Above all, we focus on improving people’s lives. Whether it’s researching new treatments for disease, developing better batteries, reducing burdens through better public services, keeping children safe online, and much more, outcomes for citizens are at the heart of what we do.
Our Inclusive Environment
We offer flexible working benefits, employee well-being support and a great pension. We are enormously proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support candidates with adjustments throughout our recruitment process. Information about disability confidence and just some examples of the adjustments that you can request can be found in the reasonable adjustment section below.
Find Out More
We regularly run events where you can find out more about the department and tips for the application and interview process. You can sign up for upcoming events here: https://forms.office.com/e/Jae3B4w7xm
You can also follow our LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/dsitcareers/
Job Description
Quantum technologies promise powerful new sensors and computers by exploiting the unique behaviour of small particles. They are a major opportunity for UK economic growth and national security, with wide-ranging potential benefits from early disease diagnosis to optimising our energy grid. In March, the government committed £2 billion to back these game-changing technologies through a scaled-up national R&D programme and world-first procurement commitment.
The Office for Quantum oversees the government’s strategy for quantum and steering of the national programme, working closely with partners in UK Research & Innovation and the National Physical Laboratory. We are a friendly, inclusive team, which is passionate about realising the opportunity from these technologies for the UK.
We are recruiting a Deputy Head (Grade 6) role in the Office for Quantum. You do not need a background in quantum to apply, but you do need to be an exceptional leader with an interest in how government can thoughtfully steer the development of a critical technology in the national interest.
You would work with the quantum sector and teams across government to ensure the quantum ecosystem has the government support, private investment and customers to grow safely in the UK. You would lead one of the team’s units (currently six in post with ongoing recruitment), providing clear direction, support and guidance to deliver on stretching objectives.
Person specification
Current Areas Of Focus Include
- Overseeing the roll-out of the National Quantum Technologies Programme in areas such as quantum computing and networking, ensuring government funding delivers scaled technology in the UK.
- Shaping the implementation of the flagship ProQure programme to purchase large-scale quantum computers by the early 2030s.
- Overseeing engagement with quantum companies, helping land UK investments and inform the development of new policies, as well as supporting wider efforts to increase overall investment in quantum.
- Steering the development of an adoption plan for the technologies, ensuring relevant sectors are ready to benefit from quantum technologies and facilitating demand signals and procurement from key government departments.
- Shaping investment in quantum infrastructure and facilities – making sure limited resources are prioritised on the infrastructure with the greatest impact on UK strengths and future capability.
- Representing the Office for Quantum externally at events with the sector and investors, with opportunities for public speaking and potentially international travel.
- Acting as a member of Office for Quantum senior management team, deputising for the Deputy Director where needed and supporting efforts to make the team an even better place to work
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Exact responsibilities will be agreed with the postholder on appointment, taking into account departmental priorities and personal development objectives.
Candidates are expected to hold or obtain Developed Vetting. You should familiarise yourself with the requirements before applying: DV - Guidance Pack for Applicants - GOV.UK
As a line manager, you will be responsible for working with your members of staff to define their objectives, as well as managing their development and performance.
Essential Criteria
- A proven ability to lead collaboratively across organisational boundaries to deliver ambitious outcomes.
- Experience of developing innovative solutions in response to rapidly changing policy, market or technological developments.
- Strong analytical skills, including the ability to assess complex scientific and technological evidence and reach sound judgements.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex issues clearly and persuasively to senior audiences, including Ministers.
- Strong commercial awareness and an ability to translate market understanding into effective, evidence-based policy.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience working in science, technology and/or industrial policy or a related field.
- Experience working on investment in tech or other high growth sectors.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
Salary and Benefits
Alongside your salary of £69,675, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £20,184 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology offers a competitive mix of benefits including:
- A culture of flexible working, such as job sharing, homeworking and compressed hours.
- Automatic enrolment into the Civil Service Pension Scheme, with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
- A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
- An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities, which all staff are actively encouraged to pursue.
- Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.
- A hybrid office/home based working model where staff will spend a norm of 40-60% of their time in the office (minimum of 40%) over a month with flex dependent on balancing business and individual need.
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Office attendance
The Department operates a discretionary hybrid working policy, which provides for a combination of working hours from your place of work and from your home in the UK. The current expectation for staff is to attend the office or non-home based location for 40-60% of the time over the accounting period.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Ability and Experience.
After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Verbal Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application.
Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 19th August 2026. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Please use your personal statement (in no more than 750 words) to explain why you are suitable for the role with reference to the essential criteria, highlighting relevant experience and expertise.
In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the personal statement only.
Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
The interview will consist of behaviour and strength-based questions.
Interviewees will be asked to deliver a presentation; further details will be provided nearer the time.
Further Information
Reasonable Adjustment
We are proud to be a disability confident leader and we welcome applications from disabled candidates and candidates with long-term conditions.
Information about the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) and some examples of adjustments that we offer to disabled candidates and candidates with long-term health conditions during our recruitment process can be found in our DSIT Candidate Guidance. A DSIT Plain Text Version of the guidance is also available.
We encourage candidates to discuss their adjustment needs by emailing the job contact which can be found under the contact point for applicants section.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
A location based reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for
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