Location
City of Westminster

Hours
Full Time (hours not specified)

Salary
£41,537 per annum

About the Role
We are seeking a proactive, organised, and effective individual to join the Strategy and Delivery Directorate as Private Secretary to the Directors of Strategy (Job-share). This pivotal role supports the Directorate's leadership by managing priorities, coordinating key corporate activities, and ensuring the smooth operation of the Directors' offices. You will gain excellent exposure to senior leaders and build strong relationships across the Department for Education.

As a trusted member of the Central Delivery and Strategy Office, you will work closely with colleagues across the Strategy and Delivery Directorates, the Strategy and Operations Group, and the wider Department, contributing to high-profile work and developing a broad understanding of departmental operations.

Key responsibilities include enabling the Directors to lead and manage the Directorate’s business effectively, providing proactive diary and meeting support, designing agendas, preparing papers, maintaining forward plans, attending meetings, recording decisions and actions, and ensuring timely follow-up. You will also draft and coordinate high-quality communications, correspondence, briefings, and presentations on behalf of the Directors, plan and deliver projects and priority work, build and maintain effective stakeholder relationships, anticipate issues and identify solutions, and contribute positively as a collaborative member of the Director’s support team.

The Strategy and Delivery Directorates are welcoming and supportive, committed to helping you thrive in this role.

Experience
- Proven ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously with excellent organisational and prioritisation skills.
- Experience building and maintaining strong professional relationships across various roles and seniority levels.
- Demonstrated initiative and problem-solving skills, with a proactive approach to identifying improvements and implementing solutions.
- Ability to work autonomously, take ownership of tasks, and manage competing priorities effectively.
- Experience contributing to positive team culture and collaboration.
- Experience handling sensitive information with discretion and ensuring accuracy.

About you
- A self-starter who can influence senior stakeholders and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent communicator, confident representing the Private Office to senior leaders and wider teams.
- Curious and proactive in seeking opportunities for improvement and upskilling.
- Positive, flexible, and collaborative team player with a can-do attitude.

Qualifications
- While no specific qualifications are mandated, experience in business management or operational leadership is desirable.
- Familiarity with recruitment, correspondence, or finance processes is advantageous.
- Commitment to the Civil Service values and behaviours including Communicating and Influencing, Managing a Quality Service, Changing and Improving, and Delivering at Pace.