Honours Secretary

Department for Culture, Media and Sport; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Honours & Awards team seeks a capable leader to manage the nominations process, ensuring the Birthday and New Year rounds are delivered on time and to a high standard. You will work closely with Cabinet Office, the Royal Household, No.10 and Ministers to maintain rigorous, transparent decision-making.

You will also oversee case management, line-manage EOs, and develop a diverse nominations pipeline that reflects the country.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in a public sector or similar environment.
• Experience working with senior external stakeholders and timelines.
• Ability to drive processes with rigour and transparency.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of DCMS Honours nominations and ensure deadlines for Birthday and New Year honours.
• Develop a pipeline of diverse nominations representing the whole country.
• Maintain relationships with the Permanent Secretary, policy teams, Ministers and SpAds.
• Coordinate with Cabinet Office, Royal Household, No.10, and committee chairs.
• Oversee the Honours Case Management System CRM.
• Line manage EOs within the Honours Team.
• Explore AI to streamline processes and reduce duplication.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Time management

Process improvement

Job description

The Honours & Awards team of nine, led by Meg Taylor (G6), is part of the Public Bodies, Appointments and Honours team within Corporate Strategy. The honours team manage honours nominations from across DCMS sectors, two rounds per year: New Year's Day and the King's Birthday. The dedicated team delivers each element of the process and works closely with Cabinet Office as well as the independent committees, SCS and Ministers. This is an exciting time to be working within the honours system, as a high priority for both our Secretary of State and our Permanent Secretary. DCMS plays an active role in Arts & Media, Sport, and Community & Voluntary Service lists, as well as contributing to Public Service, Economy and Science Technology and Research lists. DCMS is the biggest departmental contributor of nominations to the Honours system. You will be supported by Deputy Honours Secretaries and the team is a highly collaborative one, used to meeting firm deadlines and delivering high quality recommendations. The role offers a high level of autonomy as well as the opportunity to work collaboratively with senior external stakeholders, including the Royal Household, No 10, Cabinet Office, Committee Chairs and members. It requires efficient management of rigorous, time bound and transparent processes. The team is experienced, knowledgeable and a highly collaborative team. DCMS is the biggest departmental contributor of nominations to the Honours system. The job includes:

• Leading the delivery of and owning responsibility for DCMS Honours nominations for specific lists, ensuring delivery of Birthday and New Year honours according to strict deadlines;
• Supporting the strategic work to pipeline honours nominations that are diverse and represent the whole country;
• Supporting the team's relationships with the Permanent Secretary and her office, policy teams and Ministers and SpAds;
• Liaison with Cabinet Office, the Royal Household (eg. on Royal Garden Party nominations), No.10, Committee Chairs and Members;
• Working with and leading on the Honours Case Management System - a CRM database;
• Line management of EOs within the Honours Team;
• Proactively leveraging AI to streamline processes/reduce duplication.