12693 - Head of the Directors Office and Governance Lead

Ministry of Justice; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A government department is seeking a dynamic Head of Director’s Office and Governance Lead in Cardiff. This rewarding role involves shaping departmental governance and ensuring effective communication with senior leaders. You will lead a team, manage the Director's priorities, and oversee governance programs. The ideal candidate will have strong decision-making skills and the ability to manage departmental objectives in a fast-paced environment. Flexibility is required for some evenings and weekends, with an attractive allowance included.

Benefits

SEO Private Secretary allowance of £7,149

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leadership roles within government or public sectors.
• Strong track record in communicating effectively with senior stakeholders.
• Ability to manage complex governance issues with confidence.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Director’s Office and manage communication effectively.
• Oversee departmental governance and provide expert support.
• Ensure the delivery of the Department’s Outcome Delivery Plan.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Decision-making

Project management

Stakeholder management

Job description

Background

This is a rewarding and challenging role as Head of Director’s Office and Governance Lead, ensuring priorities are met, reporting mechanisms are functioning smoothly and departmental governance requirements are managed effectively. Based within the Private Office, you will report to the Deputy Principal Private Secretary – who also leads the Ministerial Office – and will deputise for them as necessary to give support to the wider team.

The Wales Office is the face of the UK Government in Wales and the voice of Wales in Westminster. We support the Secretary of State for Wales and the Ministerial team in representing Wales at the heart of Government. With offices in London and Cardiff, we work in partnership with other Government Departments and stakeholders to deliver a stronger Wales within a strong and prosperous United Kingdom.

About the job

This is an exciting time to take on the leadership of the Director’s Office and to lead on departmental governance. With the Wales Office recruiting a new Director for the first time in 13 years, this is an opportunity for an outstanding candidate to shape the way in which a new Director engages with the wider department, across government and with key stakeholders.

You will play a crucial part in ensuring the new Director is able to hit the ground running by developing effective communication lines between the Director and the ministerial offices, the senior leadership team, and the wider department. You will need to be confident in your approach as you support them to develop ways of working and institute change across the Department following the outcome of the Spending Review.

Leading on governance, you will work directly with the senior leadership and ministerial teams, to provide expert support, advice, and guidance. You will have responsibility for the business planning process (including the Outcome Delivery Plan), working collaboratively with colleagues and coordinating internal and external reporting with the Cabinet Office and No10. In addition, you will provide support to the Departmental Board and Committees. You will have responsibility for overseeing the department’s strategic risk register.

You will need to be decisive and confident, working autonomously to drive forward departmental objectives often at pace. You will need solid decision‑making skills and be proactive at taking your own initiative, with the ability to work in an environment that is subject to ongoing change.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Director’s Office, communicating the priorities of the Director to the wider department effectively.
• Ensure a coherent governance programme for the Department, providing support and co‑ordination across the Boards and Committees.
• Contribute to the design, delivery, and upkeep of strategic products such as the Department’s Outcome Delivery Plan, Strategic Risk Register, and the Department’s reporting trackers.
• Prepare and maintain a set of regular reporting products for the Departmental Board, Audit and Risk Assurance Committee, Cabinet Office, and Number 10.
• Lead on cross‑cutting departmental policy issues such as resilience and civil contingency planning.
• Manage the Director’s time to ensure that meetings and engagements are relevant and productive, and commission briefings that are focused and appropriate.
• Work with Permanent Secretaries’ Offices across Whitehall to gather intelligence, insight and increase awareness of policies and priorities.
• Act as an interlocutor between the Director’s Office and the Ministerial Offices.
• Build strong internal relationships with Ministers, SpAds and departmental teams; and externally across UK and Welsh governments, and with key stakeholders to gain credibility for the Secretary of State for Wales and the Department.
• Line management responsibilities may be required.
• Act as a leader - helping to develop the right culture and behaviours - and support individuals to do well in their roles.
• Be a visible team player by pitching in and helping out with whatever might need doing around the office.
• Contribute to corporate activities outside your immediate sphere of responsibility.

You will need to be prepared to work some evenings and weekends as part of a Private Office rota, and as such this role attracts an SEO Private Secretary allowance currently set at £7,149.

This role will involve regular travel between the London and Cardiff offices and across Wales.

To support wellbeing and encourage collaboration, there is an expectation for staff to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time working face to face with their colleagues either at the office or on official business.