Private Secretary and Head of Business Support

**Details**:
**Reference number**:

- 429599

**Salary**:

- £57,946 - £68,205
- A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

GBP

**Job grade**:

- Grade 7

**Contract type**:

- Permanent

**Business area**:

- DWP - Finance

**Type of role**:

- Finance

**Working pattern**:

- Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

**Number of jobs available**:

- 1

**Contents**:

- Location
- About the job
- Benefits
- Things you need to know

**Location**:

- Birmingham, Blackpool, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Sheffield

**About the job**:
**Job summary**:
This is a challenging and high-profile post at the centre of the department’s Finance Group. The Finance Directorates are at the forefront of supporting the department in delivering its priories and objective. The Financial Management and Partnering directorate is responsible for the in-year financial management of the department’s finances, as well as future strategic decisions. It leads on the analysis supporting resourcing, financial and service improvement decisions, and has responsibility of the Finance Business Partner offer to the entire department.

The Private Secretary and Head of Business Support will play a crucial role in establishing the systems, processes and culture that will underpin effective leadership and enable the Director of Financial Management and Partnering to focus on their top priorities and discharge their responsibilities efficiently and effectively.

The postholder will be responsible for the ownership of a broad portfolio which covers the entirety of the department’s remit.

It is vital the postholder is an independent and proactive individual, who is adept at acting on their own initiative whilst making a meaningful contribution to the work of the wider team.

Working towards sustainable futures. Championing diversity in the workplace. At the Department for Work and Pensions, it’s all in a day’s work. From HR to Finance, Policy to Communications, this is work that sustains and supports, where everyone’s voice is heard, and our customers are at the heart of everything we do. For a career packed with possibility, a comprehensive benefits package, where we live by our values and have the opportunity to improve the lives of people across the UK, look no further.

**Job description**:

- Lead the work relating to Directorate’s priorities.
- Build and develop the immediate Private Office e.g. (Assistant Private Secretary and Diary Manager), and wider Business Support Team to support the director and wider Directorates.
- Quality-assuring advice from others on key director responsibilities.
- Commissioning, reviewing, filtering and challenging strategic and technical advice to the director, that helps them to take timely and well-informed decisions on key issues in the directorate, group, and department.
- Use discretion, tact, and diplomacy to advise the director and drive forward issues on their behalf.
- Build and maintain strong and effective relationships across the complex stakeholder environment that makes up DWP (Executive Team and director offices, Finance Group colleagues including Finance Executive Team, Permanent Secretary’s, and Ministers’ Private Offices) to identify issues early.
- Lead on strategic workforce planning for the directorate, working with colleagues across the three finance directorates, and those in the group’s planning and performance team to ensure a joined-up approach.

**Hybrid working**

This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post. This role can only be delivered from the UK.

**Visa Sponsorship**

For these vacancies, we strongly recommend that applicants consult with an immigration specialist or qualified advisor to assess their eligibility for Visa Sponsorship before deciding to apply. Please note that while we consider sponsorship requests in accordance with current DWP guidance and Home Office policy, sponsorship cannot be guaranteed.

**Locations**

You will be asked for your preferences for up to 3 locations, these will tell us where you would prefer to work if you are successful. Please do not select a location unless you are prepared to accept a role in that location.

Selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit, on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles here.

The roles available w