Location
Richmond, with a combination of onsite and home working. Applicants should be able to regularly travel to the Kew site for a minimum of 60% of their work time.

Hours
Full Time. Requests for part-time working, flexible working and job share will be considered, subject to operational needs.

Salary
£51,255 per annum

About the Role
The Private Secretary sits within the Chief Executive’s Office team, providing private office support and governance for The National Archives. This high impact role involves navigating complex issues and working closely with senior officials. Reporting to the Head of Chief Executive’s Office and working alongside another Private Secretary, you will represent The National Archives’ aims, activities and interests across government, the archives sector and beyond.

You will manage day-to-day interactions with ministerial private offices, respond to ministerial correspondence and parliamentary questions, and provide expert advice on government-facing issues. Working closely with the Policy and Government Services teams, you will oversee and analyse key policy, legislative and business initiatives, particularly relating to data and digital information policy.

Collaboration with the Archives Sector Leadership team is essential to ensure the Chief Executive is well briefed on sector issues. You will prepare briefings, speeches and speaking notes for the Chief Executive’s external engagements, working closely with the Media and Public Engagement teams.

This role requires discretion, political judgement, and the ability to manage sensitive material with a high level of integrity and confidentiality.

Experience
- Proven ability to build strong trust-based relationships with senior stakeholders using diplomacy and tact
- Experience managing complex issues and delivering high-quality work to tight deadlines
- Good knowledge of the workings of Parliament and/or government
- Experience providing expert advice on government-facing issues and policy analysis

About you
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to present complex information concisely and with attention to detail
- Sound political judgement with the ability to understand and adapt to different stakeholder priorities
- Strong analytical, problem-solving and project management skills, able to work independently
- High level of integrity and confidentiality when handling sensitive material
- Understanding of the strategic issues facing The National Archives and its operating environment

Qualifications
- SC clearance or willingness to obtain SC clearance is required (candidates must have been resident in the UK for at least the past five years)
- No specific formal qualifications are stated, but relevant experience and skills are essential