The Treasury is the United Kingdom’s economics and finance ministry.

We are responsible for formulating and implementing the government’s financial and economic policy. Our aim is to raise the rate of sustainable growth and achieve rising prosperity and a better quality of life with economic and employment opportunities for all.

A Treasury career offers an exciting opportunity to be part of decision making that affects the whole of the UK. We play a critical role at the heart of Government in the UK and, together with the Cabinet Office and Number 10, form the centre of the Government and wider Civil Service.

The Treasury is a small, agile and professional institution organised around thematic Director-led groups of standing and project teams.

This role can be based in either London or Darlington. Some travel will be expected as part of the role. The Darlington Economic Campus is a pioneering cross-government hub which brings together departments and public organisations which lead on some of the most important economic issues of the day.

Job Description

As Director Public Spending, you will be uniquely placed to have an impact in HM Treasury and across government and work with the Directors for tax, fiscal and economics to support the coordination of delivery of fiscal events. There are two Director of the Public Spending Group, who jointly lead the group and its c170 staff, although each Director has different and distinct areas of policy responsibility. The teams reporting to the post holder will be:

General Expenditure Policy team (GEP): responsible for overarching control of public spending and coordination for expenditure policy across HM Treasury, ensuring the right balance of delegated authority and control. This includes leading on spending review planning and delivery, ownership of the Green Book (Guidance from HM Treasury to Civil Service departments on how to appraise policies, programmes and projects). Public spending framework, oversight (with the Cabinet Office) for the governments planning and outcome delivery framework. GEP are currently leading Project RESET which is looking to fundamentally reform the relationship between HM Treasury and departments, giving departments more freedom and accountability to speed up and improve decision making. Workforce Pay and Pensions team (WPP): which leads on pay and pension policy across the public sector. WPP also co-ordinates across HM Treasury on our approach to industrial action in the public sector. Cross-Cutting Strategy, Insight and Reform (CSIR): which leads work on public sector productivity and efficiency, cross cutting issues like digital spend and oversees spending for the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury.

The role operates at the heart of setting HM Treasury’s fiscal strategy and is responsible for overall public spending and good financial management across government. It will give the successful candidate exposure to the very centre of government, significant influence over and shared responsibility for setting HM Treasury’s fiscal strategy, and the most senior members of the Government Finance Function (GFF).

Most significantly this role will be central to the leadership, preparation for and delivery of Spending Review 2027.

Key Accountabilities

The key objectives of the post holder will be:

To jointly lead the Public Spending Group to deliver its strategic aim of controlling and reporting on public spending, improving value for money and efficiency. To play a key role in each fiscal event, working closely with colleagues and the wider teams to help advise on overall fiscal policy and advising the Chancellor on overall spending decisions, and working very closely with colleagues on tax, borrowing, growth and the economy. To lead on the government’s strategic approach to public spending, including through fiscal events such as budgets and spending reviews, to ensure that the government’s approach is planned, coordinated and delivered according to the Chancellor and Chief Secretary’s plans. To work across Whitehall and public services, including the finance function, to set out HM Treasury aims and objectives and understand departmental issues and challenges. To oversee public sector pension and pay policy through the annual pay rounds and coordinate for HM Treasury on issues related to public sector industrial relations. To actively lead, inspire and motivate teams in the group leading efforts to reshape and reprioritise work across the group as part of HM Treasury’s Vision for the Future and to make a visible and impactful contribution to the corporate leadership of HM Treasury.

In all the above the post holder will need to build strong relationships with the Chancellor, Chief Secretary and their political advisers, as well as senior leaders and teams across the Government Finance Function, Cabinet Office and HM Treasury. Person Specification While in post, the successful candidate will be expected to perform well across the full range of Senior Civil Service behaviours set out in the Success Profile framework and demonstrate commitment to the Civil Service values. The criteria for the purpose of selection are: An excellent understanding of financial management and the public spending framework for central government. Strategic thinking: the ability to think strategically, work across a large and complex area of public policy and spot key issues for HM Treasury. Leadership skills: the ability to maintain, build resilience and motivate a strong team with constantly changing policy agenda. Stakeholder management skills: the ability to expertly manage senior stakeholders with effective communication and influencing skills, including the ability to deal with Ministers and senior officials and political stakeholders inside and outside HM Treasury.

To apply for this post please apply via Civil Service Jobs by no later than 23:55 on the 19 October. We can only accept applications via the Civil Service Jobs platform.

Applications should consist of a CV and personal statement outlining your experience and skills against those detailed in the person specification.

Benefits of working with us include:

25 days annual leave (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays and the King’s birthday (unless you have a legacy arrangement as an existing Civil Servant). Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours) Generous parental and adoption leave packages Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions of 28.97% Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme and season ticket advances A range of active staff networks, based around interests (e.g. analysts, music society, sports and social club) and diversity

For more information about the role and how to apply, please follow the apply link. If you need any reasonable adjustments to take part in the selection process, please tell us about this in your online application form.