Principal Private Secretary

Government Recruitment Service; City Of London; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency is seeking an outstanding leader to manage a dynamic team focused on key issues such as media reform and event coordination. The role involves advising senior officials and leading strategic initiatives within the department. Candidates should demonstrate exceptional leadership and political judgement, along with experience in high-stakes environments.

Qualifications

• Outstanding leader with superb personal and political judgement.
• Experience in acting as a personal advisor to senior officials.
• Ability to lead dynamic teams in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead a large private office and Governance, Ministerial and Parliamentary support team.
• Act as a trusted personal adviser to the Secretary of State and Permanent Secretary.
• Shape and implement the Secretary of State’s priorities.

Skills

Leadership

Political judgement

Strategic thinking

Communication

Job description

We are running an information session where prospective applicants can find out more about the role. This will be hosted virtually by Laura Jackson, and will take place on:

• Wednesday 3rd December, 15:00

The session will be an opportunity to hear more about the role, the team and wider directorate and the department.

It will also be an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have about the application, and the interview and assessment process.

Please register your interest by filling out this Registration form by 10:00 on Wednesday 3rd December and you will be sent an invitation. Invites will only be sent after this deadline has passed.

This will take place virtually, via Google Meets.

Please note that the session will not be recorded.

We are looking for an outstanding leader with superb personal and political judgement to join a supportive and high‑performing team working on some of the most exciting issues facing the country.

This is a highly stretching leadership role at the heart of DCMS: leading a large private office and Governance, Ministerial and Parliamentary support team (approximately 60 people in total); acting as a trusted personal adviser to the Secretary of State and the Permanent Secretary; and playing a key strategic leadership role across the department as a whole by working with the Executive Board, Communications team, and policy teams in the department, and with No. 10 and other departments to shape and implement the Secretary of State’s priorities.

In addition, this role offers the opportunity to work on a huge range of issues, from reform of our media regime, gambling and football regulation; to oversight of arts, culture, heritage and civil society policy; and leading on some of the biggest events in the life of the country, such as important ceremonies like Remembrance Sunday and major events, like the Champions League Final.

Together, Private Office (PO) and the Ministerial and Parliamentary Support Team (MPST) are one of the largest and most dynamic teams in DCMS, involved in all aspects of departmental business. In this, role you will lead the Private Offices for four Ministers and our Permanent Secretary and Directors General, as well as our correspondence and parliamentary functions. We are here to help our Ministers and senior officials deliver their priorities, and to support the Department in working with them.

The Secretary of State, Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP, has overall policy responsibility for all DCMS areas. She is supported by a team of three ministers:

• Minister of State, Ian Murray MP
• Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Stephanie Peacock MP
• Lords Minister, Baroness Twycross

PO and MSPT are part of the wider Corporate Strategy Directorate.