Location
Central London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£41,494 per annum

About the Role
The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) is the department for economic growth, supporting businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities across the UK. The Domestic and International Markets and Export (DIME) Group within BIST plays a vital role in advising, supporting, and promoting UK businesses to grow and export, delivering economic growth through services and policy interventions across the UK and overseas.

The DG DIME Private Office is a small, agile team supporting two Director Generals who work in a job share. As the Business Manager and Private Secretary to the Director Generals, you will play a central role in supporting the effective running of the DG DIME Private Office.

You will work closely with the Director Generals’ Head of Private Office, Assistant Private Secretary, and operational team to understand the Director Generals’ priorities, advise on key decisions, and communicate these effectively. You will manage the Director Generals’ diary autonomously, resolve conflicts, and horizon scan to manage upcoming challenges effectively and timely.

In addition, you will coordinate cross-cutting activities and returns, ensuring alignment with wider departmental priorities. You will prepare high-quality briefings, submissions, and visit programmes, ensuring the Director Generals are fully prepared for meetings, travel, and engagements.

The role requires sound judgement, the ability to anticipate issues, resolve competing demands, and maintain momentum across multiple workstreams. You will provide strong operational and administrative support including managing travel and visit logistics, processing expenses, maintaining accurate records and filing systems, and responding to transparency and information requests.

You will build positive relationships with the Director Generals and internal and external stakeholders, representing the office professionally and handling sensitive communications with discretion. You will work creatively and collaboratively to unblock issues, support commissions from the Director Generals, horizon scan for risks and opportunities, and help ensure engagements are strategic, well planned, and aligned to DIME priorities.

This is an exciting and stretching role with significant developmental opportunities in a rewarding and dynamic environment.

Experience
Previous experience supporting senior leaders in a large organisation, Private Office, or similar environment with a flexible, people-focused approach.
Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage and prioritise multiple competing demands in a fast-moving environment.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to summarise complex issues clearly and tailor messages for different audiences.
Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships, foster collaboration across teams, and support effective join-up.
Sound judgement with confidence to make decisions, identify emerging issues, and escalate risks or concerns appropriately.
Flexible and proactive team-working skills, able to support colleagues and respond effectively to urgent priorities.
Excellent IT skills with experience using Microsoft 365 collaboration tools including MS Teams, Word, OneNote, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint.

About you
Resilient and able to handle challenges with professionalism.
Effective network builder with strong communication skills both written and verbal.
Empowered decision-maker demonstrating excellent judgement in the face of uncertainty and competing demands.
Creative and collaborative problem solver who can unblock issues and maintain momentum across multiple workstreams.
Trustworthy and discreet in handling sensitive communications and information.

Qualifications
Not explicitly stated; however, strong experience supporting senior leaders and excellent IT proficiency are essential.