Deputy Head of Licensing Unit


Company:	Government Recruitment Service
Salary:	£42,391 - £50,282
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	London
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	7 Aug 2026
Closing date:	21 Aug 2026

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Summary

The Export Control and Sanctions Directorate (EC&S) supports businesses and other organisations across the UK to export securely and further the Government’s growth mission, while maintaining and advancing our national security objectives.

We support responsible exports, including the industrial strategy’s high priority sectors such as defence, advanced manufacturing and key emerging technologies, promoting strategic manufacturing, export and research capabilities in the UK.

The role is working within the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) – a part of EC&S, whose core function is considering applications for export licences. ECJU’s work includes a range of issues around National Security, International Humanitarian Law and Counter-Proliferation. It works to deliver one of the most rigorous and transparent export control systems in the world. The decisions made by ECJU are carefully scrutinised by Parliament, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and business.

You will work closely with the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI), which is also an integral part of the export control system, launched on October 2024, within EC&S to enforce trade sanctions. It investigates breaches, enforces civil penalties, and helps businesses comply with sanctions legislation.

A good understanding of export control legislation is required, and the job holder will have regular contact with colleagues in the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and Ministry of Defence (MOD). There will also be frequent contact with exporters and various other internal and external stakeholders, either by telephone, in writing or in meetings.

You will work as one of three Deputies to the Head of Licensing Unit. Each Deputy will line manage a small team of Licensing Managers who in turn line manage their own small team of Licensing Officers.

You will lead, coach, and develop your teams, whilst also undertaking a variety of personal performance aspects of your job role. You will also support in the delivery of new initiatives and helping to embed a culture of continuous improvement.

Line management responsibilities involving leading, coaching and developing a team of Licensing Managers
Ensuring your team delivers against the unit’s objectives, driving continuous improvement in quality and efficiency, whilst making sure particular care is taken with difficult and sensitive cases
Foster a positive, inclusive team culture that supports learning, continuous improvement and constructive engagement with change
Lead on the introduction of Quality Assurance (QA), liaising with relevant stakeholders to implement a robust process to ensure the quality of work and processes within the unit
Key role in ensuring the end-to-end licencing process operates smoothly and efficiently
Engage with exporters to help resolve any barriers to processing licence applications
Working with OGDs to remove barriers and meet our published performance targets, escalating where appropriate and contributing to Continuous Improvement initiatives
Lead on the Units Continuous Improvement initiatives, setting out a programme of works and reporting to the G7 Head of Licensing Unit and CI
Draft submissions and provide analytical assessments, updates and reports as and when required
Build knowledge and upskill in specialist case work areas

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