Deputy Director 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.

Options Development acts as a front door into the National Armaments Director Group, working across 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.

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.

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.

The Deputy Director Strategic Partnering has the following areas of responsibility:

• Lead strategic engagement for NA-Plans& Portfolios with a wide range of stakeholders across Defence and wider HMG, building strong relationships for the NAD Group; influencing Departmental thinking, and co-creating Defence problem statements that enable the NAD Group to deliver upon strategic intent.
• Provide strategic oversight of the NAD Group Front Door, ensuring all new commissions and requests are effectively triaged, prioritised and aligned to Defence priorities, available resources and affordability constraints.
• Direct the development and deployment of flexible, cross-functional delivery teams, bringing together expertise from across Commands, International, Industrial, Science & Technology, Digital and other specialist areas including OGDs to address complex and emerging Defence challenges.
• Influence decision-making at the most senior levels, working with Department of State, Military Strategic Headquarters (MSHQ), Defence Nuclear Enterprise, Front Line Commands and corporate functions to build collaborative and effective strategic relationships that embody the One Defence ways of working.
• Lead on emerging strategic delivery asks on the NADG, developing pragmatic and efficient ways forward while working in partnership with NAD Strategy and wider Corporate to ensure plans are aligned to NAD Strategy and the NAD Group Area Plan.
• Lead organisational performance and continuous improvement within ODD, strengthening business operations, governance and process ownership through data-driven insight, innovative ways of working and the adoption of digital tools to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Open to UK nationals only.

HOW TO APPLY

This is an external competition and we welcome applications from candidates in both the public or private sector. To apply for this post, you will need to submit the following documents, via the following link provided by 23:55 on Friday 4th September 2026.​

• A copy of CV preferably in MS Word format setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps.​​
• A Supporting Statement of no more than 1500 words (font Arial, size 11), outlining how you consider your personal skills, leadership attributes, qualities and experience match the essential criteria set out in the attached candidate pack.​ Applications that exceed the word limit will not be considered. For assistance with Supporting Statements or if you experience any technical issues with submitting your application, please do reach out to the recruitment team prior to the closing deadline. Late submissions will not be considered.

AFTER YOU’VE APPLIED

Shortlist​

All submissions will receive an email acknowledgement from upon application. If you do not receive confirmation of receipt of your application 3 working days post-closing date, please contact us at DESHR-SCSRecruitment@mod.gov.uk. The panel will consider the evidence you have provided against the essential criteria set out in the attached candidate pack to determine their shortlist. ​

Interview​

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to attend a panel interview for an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the essential criteria. Full details of the interview process will be made available to shortlisted candidates. The Panel will consist of Laura Farhall (Director Options Development), Michelle Pester & Katherine Carr (Joint Director Strategy), and a HR Business Partner.​

Offer​

We will notify all candidates of their outcome, as soon as possible after the final interview. We reserve the right to make any offer of appointment conditional upon references and satisfactory conclusion of security enquiries. In the event that you meet the requirements for the role, but you are not offered the position, we will be pleased to retain your application for a 12-month period in case another suitable role arises. ​

• For full role and organisational context and FAQs please refer to the candidate pack provided*

There is an online group session scheduled for candidates to learn more about the role on 26 August 13:00-13:30 via MS Teams. This is open to both internal and external candidates alike. To receive the link to join please send an email to DESHR-SCSRecruitment@mod.gov.uk.​

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.