Senior Private Secretary

Government Recruitment Service; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A government department in the UK is seeking a Senior Private Secretary to support senior leaders within the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. This role involves managing urgent ministerial business, leading cross-government engagement, and driving strategic priorities. The ideal candidate will have strong organisational skills, resilience, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic environment. This is a unique opportunity to gain insight into high-level decision-making while working closely with Ministers and senior officials.

Benefits

Duty allowance for on-call hours

Qualifications

• Experience working in fast-paced environments.
• Strong communication skills for day-to-day interactions with senior officials.
• Ability to manage urgent ministerial business effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead on diverse portfolio issues and strategic priorities.
• Coordinate cross-government engagement.
• Manage the smooth operation of the office.

Skills

Organisational skills

Proactive attitude

Resilience

Leadership

Job description

Overview

You will be working in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life from the food we eat, to the air we breathe, to the water we drink.

Ministerial Support

You will form part of the Ministerial, Growth and Resilience Directorate, providing support on the government’s Growth Mission, as well as working on regulation and regulatory reform. It also includes Defra’s briefing, parliamentary, and ministerial support functions, including Defra’s ministerial and permanent secretary private offices.

Equality and Inclusion

We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups.

Location

These roles are Full-Time Only, Ministerial private office roles will be based in London only, and Permanent Secretary private office roles will be based in London or York.

Opportunity

This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of Defra, supporting senior leaders including the Permanent Secretary, Special Advisers and Ministers. You will play a key role in shaping priorities and ensuring effective decision-making at the highest levels.

Interaction and Influence

The role involves day-to-day interaction with Ministers, Permanent Secretary, Special Advisers, Director Generals, and senior officials. You will gain a unique insight into decision-making at the highest levels across government and help shape the department’s priorities. This is a high-profile position with significant responsibility, influence, and autonomy.

Environment

Every day will be varied, fast-paced, and rewarding. We are looking for organised, proactive, and resilient individuals who thrive in a dynamic environment and enjoy working at the heart of Defra. You will be part of a friendly, high-performing team that values collaboration and professionalism.

Senior Private Secretary Role

As Senior Private Secretary, you will lead on a diverse portfolio of issues, from driving strategic priorities and coordinating cross-government engagement to managing urgent ministerial business and ensuring the smooth operation of the office. Working in Private Office requires a level of autonomy and leadership normally expected of more senior roles. It is therefore a fantastic opportunity for those looking to progress quickly and develop their skillset beyond what many other SEO roles provide.

Duty Allowance

This role attracts a duty allowance, reflecting the need for on-call hours, which operate on rotation among the team and, in a crisis, some unsociable hours.