Senior Programme Director
About Wilton Park
Wilton Park is the UK's foremost multilateral facilitator. It serves as the UK government's expert in convening international policy dialogue, bringing together decision-makers from around the world to address shared challenges.
As an executive agency of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, (FCDO), we host approximately 80 events annually, bringing together over 3,000 participants from over 100 countries.
If you believe in work that makes the world a better place, if you like being part of passionate and dedicated teams, if you want to come to work and be yourself, if you feel that your most important work lies ahead, then we want to hear from you.
Benefits
Your contractual place of work will be Wiston House, Wilton Park's headquarters in the South Downs, West Sussex. This Grade I listed sixteenth-century house hosts the majority of Wilton Park events and is set within beautiful grounds.
Wilton Park supports flexible and hybrid working where operationally appropriate. Working arrangements vary depending on the nature of the role. Some positions are based solely at Wiston House, while others offer hybrid working with a mix of office and home working. Certain policy-related roles may also provide the opportunity to work from FCDO Headquarters in Whitehall as part of their working arrangements. For this role, working patterns will be discussed and agreed based on business and operational requirements. Most members of the Policy Department currently work from home two to three days per week.
Job Summary
Grade
G6
Working pattern and hours
Full-time, 37 net hours per week, Monday to Friday, with a one-hour unpaid lunch break each day.
Expected start date
We expect the successful candidate to start in February/March 2027, subject to the successful completion of pre-employment checks and security clearance.
The role
To lead Wilton Park programmes in support of key UK priorities and wider international policy challenges, with a primary focus on either energy, climate and environment and/or innovation, science and technology. To design and convene high-level policy dialogues on these issues, building diverse networks to get the right people in the room, generate practical outcomes and ensure impact.
Wilton Park Programme Directors need to maintain a level of flexibility to anticipate and respond to new or emerging policy trends and crises, whether within or beyond their portfolios. Wider experience of economic growth, security and trade policy and/or international development and global public goods would also be of strong value.
To establish, nurture and maintain relationships with a wide range of senior policy-makers and funding partners from across government, civil society and business in order to plan interventions that support wider UK objectives and provide policy and wider institutional impact.
To provide other policy, strategic and corporate support to the Head of Policy, Chief Executive, other Programme Directors and Policy Officers, helping to plan and deliver a cohesive and strategic set of dialogue activity, sequenced evenly across the year.
To contribute to the effective running of Wilton Park, including communications, outreach and mentoring of junior staff.
Key responsibilities
Essential Skills
The following criteria are desirable rather than essential. They will not be assessed during the recruitment process but may be used as a tie-break where candidates achieve the same overall score.
Complete your application by going to the Application tab.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to:
Before you apply
To help you complete your application smoothly, please note the following:
Initial Sift
Where a large number of applications are received, an initial sift will be carried out using the lead Essential Skill:
"Substantial policy and international experience in at least one of the following fields, including understanding of the international policy landscape, UK priorities and the key partners and institutions engaged:
Full Sift
Applications progressing to a full sift will be assessed against the Behaviours and Essential skills listed below:
Behaviours
At interview, candidates will be assessed against the Civil Service Success Profiles framework (opens in a new window) including Behaviours, Experience, Technical skills and Essential skills above. The following Behaviours will be assessed:
Second Interview
The highest-scoring candidates from the first interview stage will be invited to a second interview.
The interview panel may ask you other questions which will not be shared with you in advance, including any follow-up questions to explore further into your skills and experience, and other elements listed in the job advert, for example, experience, abilities, strengths and technical skills. The panel will be looking for examples of your own work, experience, and ability so do try and avoid using AI written answers without any human oversight.
Scoring
Applications and interviews will be assessed using a 1-5 scoring scale. A score of 3 typically indicates that the required standard has been met, although benchmarks may vary depending on recruitment campaigns where application volumes are high.
The information provided in your CV will be used as part of the initial sift and will be assessed against the essential criteria for the role.
Expected timeline (subject to change)
Expected sift date - w/c 30 November 2026
Expected interview date/s - w/c 14 December 2026
Interview location - your interview will be conducted either face to face at Wiston House or on Teams.
Travel and attendance requirements
Please note that Wiston House is not directly accessible by public transport and is approximately 20 minutes by taxi from Shoreham-by-Sea railway station. As this is your contractual place of work, travel costs to and from Wiston House cannot be reimbursed.
Regular attendance at Wiston House will be required for events, team meetings and other departmental activities. Overnight accommodation may be available during events for those who do not live locally.
Additional information
Nationality requirements
This job is open to the following:
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is DV - see Levels of National Security clearance. See our vetting charter.
In addition to nationality requirements outlined above, to pass security clearance you are required to have a UK footprint of 2 years within the last 5 years(including as a Crown Servant overseas). This is a mandatory requirement of National Security Vetting (NSV).
You should be aware that a lack of sufficient background information may prevent you from being granted security clearance.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
Use of artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence and recruitment | Civil Service Careers
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
Reasonable adjustments
Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments in order to apply for this position.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.
Contact point for applicants
Email: recruitment@wiltonpark.org.uk if you have any queries.
Disability Confident Scheme
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and are part of the Disability Confident Scheme. Applicants who declare a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the role may be offered an interview in line with the scheme requirements. Selection will continue to be based on merit and candidates must demonstrate that they meet the essential requirements of the role. [civil-serv...ers.gov.uk], [gov.uk]
Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles
Wilton Park's recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit, on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles (opens in a new window). If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should, in the first instance, contact csc.recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from Wilton Park, you can contact the Office of the Civil Service Commissioners at info@csc.gov.uk
Civil Service Code
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
Wilton Park is the UK's foremost multilateral facilitator. It serves as the UK government's expert in convening international policy dialogue, bringing together decision-makers from around the world to address shared challenges.
As an executive agency of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, (FCDO), we host approximately 80 events annually, bringing together over 3,000 participants from over 100 countries.
If you believe in work that makes the world a better place, if you like being part of passionate and dedicated teams, if you want to come to work and be yourself, if you feel that your most important work lies ahead, then we want to hear from you.
Benefits
- 25 days' annual leave, increasing by one day per year to a maximum of 30 days after five years' service, plus an additional day's leave after 20 years' service. This is in addition to public and privilege holidays.
- Flexible working, available to all employees where compatible with business needs.
- Civil Service Pension.
- Enhanced family leave and pay, including maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave, subject to qualifying conditions.
- Employee Assistance Programme, providing 24/7 confidential support on matters such as wellbeing, finances, childcare and elder care.
- Learning and development opportunities, including mentoring, coaching and leadership training.
- A range of employee benefits and discounts, including cashback offers through our benefits provider.
- Interest-free loans for season travel tickets, station parking or bicycle purchases for commuting.
- Free annual eye test (up to £25) and a contribution of up to £100 towards glasses or prescription lenses.
- Car parking and EV charging available on site.
- A culture that values equity, diversity and inclusion, supported by our EDI Strategy.
- Colleague recognition scheme, enabling peers to recognise and celebrate achievements and contributions.
- Long service awards, including additional annual leave and gifts in recognition of service.
Your contractual place of work will be Wiston House, Wilton Park's headquarters in the South Downs, West Sussex. This Grade I listed sixteenth-century house hosts the majority of Wilton Park events and is set within beautiful grounds.
Wilton Park supports flexible and hybrid working where operationally appropriate. Working arrangements vary depending on the nature of the role. Some positions are based solely at Wiston House, while others offer hybrid working with a mix of office and home working. Certain policy-related roles may also provide the opportunity to work from FCDO Headquarters in Whitehall as part of their working arrangements. For this role, working patterns will be discussed and agreed based on business and operational requirements. Most members of the Policy Department currently work from home two to three days per week.
Job Summary
Grade
G6
Working pattern and hours
Full-time, 37 net hours per week, Monday to Friday, with a one-hour unpaid lunch break each day.
Expected start date
We expect the successful candidate to start in February/March 2027, subject to the successful completion of pre-employment checks and security clearance.
The role
To lead Wilton Park programmes in support of key UK priorities and wider international policy challenges, with a primary focus on either energy, climate and environment and/or innovation, science and technology. To design and convene high-level policy dialogues on these issues, building diverse networks to get the right people in the room, generate practical outcomes and ensure impact.
Wilton Park Programme Directors need to maintain a level of flexibility to anticipate and respond to new or emerging policy trends and crises, whether within or beyond their portfolios. Wider experience of economic growth, security and trade policy and/or international development and global public goods would also be of strong value.
To establish, nurture and maintain relationships with a wide range of senior policy-makers and funding partners from across government, civil society and business in order to plan interventions that support wider UK objectives and provide policy and wider institutional impact.
To provide other policy, strategic and corporate support to the Head of Policy, Chief Executive, other Programme Directors and Policy Officers, helping to plan and deliver a cohesive and strategic set of dialogue activity, sequenced evenly across the year.
To contribute to the effective running of Wilton Park, including communications, outreach and mentoring of junior staff.
Key responsibilities
- Identify, design, develop and deliver annual and, where possible, multi-annual programmes of policy dialogues, with a primary focus on issues of energy, climate & environment and/or innovation, science and technology, ensuring policy relevance and impact and sourcing relevant partner funding (through government and/or non-government funding partners).
- Co-create policy programmes and dialogues with partners (FCDO, BIST, DESNZ, other UK government departments, wider organisations) managing relationships to deliver partner objectives while ensuring respect for Wilton Park autonomy and agency.
- Identify and thoughtfully engage with potential speakers and participants to ensure high-quality events meet objectives, deliver outcomes for partners and reflect balanced participation of nationalities, disciplines and gender
- Convene and facilitate Wilton Park discussions and events with professionalism and impartiality, creating a safe and trusting environment so that all participants and speakers have an opportunity to engage in meaningful, discreet and constructive dialogue using appropriate, relevant and outcome-focused facilitation techniques.
- Edit and oversee the delivery of dialogue-related outputs, including summary reports capturing key findings and policy recommendations/options.
- Represent the organisation at a senior level, making presentations and attending networking opportunities as required and relevant to field of work.
- Deputise for the Director of Policy and members of the Senior Management Team when appropriate.
- Work with Policy Officers, Project Managers (PMs) and the event Delivery Team to oversee effective and efficient management of project administration, including regular planning meetings
- Financial oversight for project budgets: work in collaboration with PMs to ensure the monitoring of income and expenditure throughout event life and accountability for financial outcomes
- Digital and social media communications: work with the communications department to plan, agree and assist with implementation of a media strategy for each even (in line with Wilton Park's social media strategy)
- Monitoring and evaluation: understand and report transparently on outcomes to partners and sponsors to ensure aims and objectives are met within prescribed timelines. Apply lessons learned and outputs to foster continuous improvement and ensure the highest quality design and delivery.
- Standard operating procedures and knowledge management: comply with Wilton Park's database requirements and comply with local health and safety requirements
- Participate in central/corporate groups or tasks and carry out other duties as may reasonably be required from time to time
Essential Skills
- Substantial policy and international experience in at least one of the following fields, including understanding of the international policy landscape, UK priorities and the key partners and institutions engaged:
- Energy, climate and environment;
- Innovation, science and technology.
- Strong and diverse institutional networks in the above fields. Track record of fundraising and business development.
- Ability to lead, inspire, develop and work with diverse teams at different levels.
- Experience of designing, convening and facilitating high-level plenary discussions and smaller group workshops to achieve agreed outcomes.
- Experience of engaging internationally, including managing international networks of relevant stakeholders, diplomatic tradecraft and policy negotiation.
- Deep understanding of UK's overall foreign policy priorities and key partner relationships, including with multilateral institutions.
The following criteria are desirable rather than essential. They will not be assessed during the recruitment process but may be used as a tie-break where candidates achieve the same overall score.
- Wider experience of economic growth, economic security and trade policy and/or international development and global public goods.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Passion, creativity & ambition.
- Ability to balance a demanding and varied workload, meet targets, ensure constructive collaboration with event teams, work to tight deadlines and manage time effectively.
Complete your application by going to the Application tab.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to:
- Provide responses to the required Civil Service Behaviours and Essential skills listed under the Full Sift heading of the advert (only the first 250 words for each will be assessed)
- Upload a copy of your CV
Before you apply
To help you complete your application smoothly, please note the following:
- Prepare your responses in advance, particularly any personal statement or longer free-text answers. We recommend drafting these in a separate document and then copying them into the application form.
- Allow sufficient time to complete your application in one sitting. There is currently no save-and-return functionality available within the system.
- Review your answers carefully before submitting. The text boxes display only a limited amount of text at a time, which can make proofreading more difficult.
- Keep a copy of your responses for your own records before submitting your application.
- If you are following links to supporting information, consider opening them in a new browser tab to avoid accidentally navigating away from your application.
Initial Sift
Where a large number of applications are received, an initial sift will be carried out using the lead Essential Skill:
"Substantial policy and international experience in at least one of the following fields, including understanding of the international policy landscape, UK priorities and the key partners and institutions engaged:
- Energy, climate and environment;
- Innovation, science and technology."
Full Sift
Applications progressing to a full sift will be assessed against the Behaviours and Essential skills listed below:
Behaviours
- Making Effective Decisions
- Substantial policy and international experience in at least one of the following fields, including understanding of the international policy landscape, UK priorities and the key partners and institutions engaged:
- Energy, climate and environment;
- Innovation, science and technology.
- Strong and diverse institutional networks in the above fields. Track record of fundraising and business development.
- Ability to lead, inspire, develop and work with diverse teams at different levels.
- Experience of designing, convening and facilitating high-level plenary discussions and smaller group workshops to achieve agreed outcomes.
- Experience of engaging internationally, including managing international networks of relevant stakeholders, diplomatic tradecraft and policy negotiation.
- Deep understanding of UK's overall foreign policy priorities and key partner relationships, including with multilateral institutions.
At interview, candidates will be assessed against the Civil Service Success Profiles framework (opens in a new window) including Behaviours, Experience, Technical skills and Essential skills above. The following Behaviours will be assessed:
- Leadership
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working Together
Second Interview
The highest-scoring candidates from the first interview stage will be invited to a second interview.
The interview panel may ask you other questions which will not be shared with you in advance, including any follow-up questions to explore further into your skills and experience, and other elements listed in the job advert, for example, experience, abilities, strengths and technical skills. The panel will be looking for examples of your own work, experience, and ability so do try and avoid using AI written answers without any human oversight.
Scoring
Applications and interviews will be assessed using a 1-5 scoring scale. A score of 3 typically indicates that the required standard has been met, although benchmarks may vary depending on recruitment campaigns where application volumes are high.
The information provided in your CV will be used as part of the initial sift and will be assessed against the essential criteria for the role.
Expected timeline (subject to change)
Expected sift date - w/c 30 November 2026
Expected interview date/s - w/c 14 December 2026
Interview location - your interview will be conducted either face to face at Wiston House or on Teams.
Travel and attendance requirements
Please note that Wiston House is not directly accessible by public transport and is approximately 20 minutes by taxi from Shoreham-by-Sea railway station. As this is your contractual place of work, travel costs to and from Wiston House cannot be reimbursed.
Regular attendance at Wiston House will be required for events, team meetings and other departmental activities. Overnight accommodation may be available during events for those who do not live locally.
Additional information
Nationality requirements
This job is open to the following:
- UK nationals
- Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- Individuals who hold (permanent) settled status
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is DV - see Levels of National Security clearance. See our vetting charter.
In addition to nationality requirements outlined above, to pass security clearance you are required to have a UK footprint of 2 years within the last 5 years(including as a Crown Servant overseas). This is a mandatory requirement of National Security Vetting (NSV).
You should be aware that a lack of sufficient background information may prevent you from being granted security clearance.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
Use of artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence and recruitment | Civil Service Careers
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
Reasonable adjustments
Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments in order to apply for this position.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.
Contact point for applicants
Email: recruitment@wiltonpark.org.uk if you have any queries.
Disability Confident Scheme
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and are part of the Disability Confident Scheme. Applicants who declare a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the role may be offered an interview in line with the scheme requirements. Selection will continue to be based on merit and candidates must demonstrate that they meet the essential requirements of the role. [civil-serv...ers.gov.uk], [gov.uk]
Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles
Wilton Park's recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit, on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles (opens in a new window). If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should, in the first instance, contact csc.recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from Wilton Park, you can contact the Office of the Civil Service Commissioners at info@csc.gov.uk
Civil Service Code
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.