Deputy Head of Office/Private Secretary to the Director of Communication and Marketing

Are you an organisational whizz and thrive in a fast-paced environment juggling various competing priorities at one time? Would you like a role that is challenging and wide-ranging, interacting with and engaging staff in 40+ countries across the globe?

DBT’s Communication and Marketing Directorate covers a huge range of issues, both domestic and international facing, including promoting the UK’s trade deals with countries around the world, supporting entrepreneurs to start up and grow, as well as leading on high-profile media issues such as the historic Post Office Horizon IT scandal.

The role is at the heart of a busy directorate, it demands a highly organised individual with significant private office and line management responsibilities.

The role of Private Secretary presents an exciting opportunity to work closely with the Director for Communication and Marketing and their senior leadership team, leading on a wide range of high-profile matters.

In return, you will gain great exposure to senior decision-making, build relationships with a wide range of people, and develop your skills as a line manager.

You will join a small, friendly team who are on a mission to create the best environment for everyone in our directorate.

In this role you will:

• Build a close working relationship with the Director, anticipating and understanding their preferences and requirements, clearly communicating their intent to others and providing sound advice and judgement across a range of high-profile issues.
• Manage the Director’s inbox, diary, box, travel arrangements and any other corporate items.
• Provide secretariat support to the Communication and Marketing Senior Leadership team.
• Support the wider business management team with finance, workforce, corporate, and governance matters.
• Assess the Director’s work priorities, drawing urgent items to the Director’s attention and equipping them to respond to requests for comments and clearance.
• Work closely with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders domestically and overseas, build high quality relationships; and represent the Director and Directorate as needed.
• Proactively engage with officials across the Directorate, wider Department and across-Whitehall to ensure the Director is briefed on relevant issues and prepared for upcoming meetings.

You will report directly to the Head of Office to the Director of Communication and Marketing.