Diary Manager to Director General

Pathfinder International; Greater London; On-site; GBP 8,100 - 9,300; Full time

Job summary

Defra in London is seeking a Strategic Diary Manager to work directly with the Director General in a high-profile, fast-paced role. This position goes beyond diary management, coordinating internal, external and international engagements while balancing competing priorities.

You will lead diary priorities, coordinate meetings, plan travel and support senior leaders with diverse stakeholder engagements across government and partner organisations.

Qualifications

Responsibilities

• Take the lead on the Director General's diary, prioritising meetings and engagements.
• Lead weekly diary meetings, resolve clashes, and recommend practical solutions.
• Coordinate high-profile internal and external engagements including international partners and senior stakeholders.
• Plan and support all-staff calls, hub events, stakeholder visits and other key engagement opportunities.
• Manage travel, accommodation and expenses for the Director General.
• Triage correspondence and maintain forward plans and engagement trackers.

Job description

Strategic Diary Manager to Director General | Defra

London | Hybrid – 4 days per week in the office
£20.74 per hour
Full-time
Initial 3-month temporary assignment with potential for extension

Want a role where you will genuinely be at the heart of senior-level decision making?

We have a fantastic opportunity to join Defra (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) as a Strategic Diary Manager, working directly with a Director General in a highly visible, fast-paced and engaging role.

This is far more than simply managing a diary.

You will become a trusted point of contact for the Director General, taking ownership of a complex and constantly evolving schedule while helping to coordinate important internal, external and international engagements.

Working as part of a supportive team of five, you will need to think ahead, spot potential challenges before they arise and confidently balance competing priorities.

What will you be doing?

You will:

• Take the lead on the Director General's diary, strategically prioritising meetings, commitments and engagements.
• Lead weekly diary meetings, resolving clashes and recommending practical solutions.
• Coordinate high-profile internal and external engagement, including activity with international partners and senior stakeholders.
• Plan and support all-staff calls, hub events, stakeholder visits and other key engagement opportunities.
• Manage travel, accommodation and expenses for the Director General.
• Take ownership of shared inboxes, triaging correspondence and ensuring actions are followed through.
• Maintain forward plans and engagement trackers, keeping upcoming priorities firmly on the radar.
• Identify emerging issues, risks and sensitivities and ensure these are escalated appropriately.
• Work closely with Private Offices, policy teams, corporate colleagues and senior stakeholders across the organisation.

Who are we looking for?

This opportunity would suit someone who is highly organised, confident and comfortable operating at pace.

You will thrive in an environment where priorities can change quickly and where excellent judgement, attention to detail and communication are essential.

You are likely to be someone who:

• Is an exceptional organiser and natural problem solver.
• Can confidently manage multiple competing priorities.
• Has excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Is comfortable working with senior leaders and high-profile stakeholders.
• Can anticipate issues and take action rather than simply reacting to them.
• Remains calm, professional and solutions-focused under pressure.
• Enjoys being part of a collaborative and supportive team.

Why Defra?

Defra's work touches almost every part of everyday life, from the food we eat and the air we breathe to the water we drink and the environment around us.

This is an opportunity to gain fantastic experience within a major UK government department while working directly alongside senior leadership and gaining exposure to a wide range of internal, external and international stakeholders.

Ready for your next challenge?

If you are looking for a role that combines organisation, strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement and senior-level exposure, this could be an outstanding next step.

£20.74 per hour | London SW1P 4DF | Full-time | Hybrid, 4 days office based | Initial 3 months with potential to extend

Brook Street is proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant and as such, we guarantee to interview all candidates who are veterans or spouses/partners of military personnel, and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy.

As a Disability Confident Leader, and holder of the Gold Award status from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, Brook Street, as a supplier to the Public Sector Resourcing Framework (PSR), will offer you a guaranteed interview with a PSR Sourcer.

Should you identify as a candidate with a disability and/or as a veteran or spouse/partner of military personnel and meet all the essential criteria for the role, we encourage you to reach out to us via the Brook Street website. Here you will find a link to register your interestand state the role that you are interested in.We arecommitted to engaging with you.

In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates/military spouses/partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, Brook Street will interview the best candidates from within that group.