Principal Private Secretary
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 10th November 2024
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About the job
Job summary
We are running an information session where prospective applicants can find out more about the role. This will be hosted by Laura Jackson, and will take place on:
Thursday 31st October, 15:00-16:00
The session will be an opportunity to hear more about the role, the team and wider directorate and the department.
It will also be an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have about the application, and the interview and assessment process.
Please register your interest by filling out this form and you will be sent an invitation.
This will take place virtually, via Google Meets.
Job description
Together, Private Office (PO) and the Governance, Ministerial and Parliamentary Support Team (GMPST) are one of the largest and most dynamic teams in DCMS, involved in all aspects of departmental business. In this, role you will lead the Private Offices for four Ministers and our Permanent Secretary and Directors General, as well as our correspondence, parliamentary and governance functions. We are here to help our Ministers and senior officials deliver their priorities, and to support the Department in working with them.
The Secretary of State, Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP, has overall policy responsibility for all DCMS areas. She is supported by a team of three ministers:
- Minister of State, Chris Bryant MP
- Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Stephanie Peacock MP
- Lords Minister, Baroness Twycross
PO and GMSPT are part of the wider Corporate Strategy Directorate.
We are looking for an outstanding leader with superb personal judgement to join a supportive and high-performing team working on some of the most exciting issues facing the country.
This is a highly stretching leadership role at the heart of DCMS: leading a large private office and Governance, Ministerial and Parliamentary support team (approximately 60 people in total); acting as a trusted personal adviser to the Secretary of State and the Permanent Secretary; and playing a key strategic leadership role across the department as a whole by working with the Executive Board, Communications team, and policy teams in the department, and with No. 10 and other departments to shape and implement the Secretary of State’s priorities.
In addition, this role offers the opportunity to work on a huge range of issues, from reform of our media regime, gambling and football regulation; to oversight of arts, culture, heritage and civil society policy; and leading on some of the biggest events in the life of the country, such as important ceremonies like Remembrance Sunday and major events, like the Champions League Final.
Person specification
Essential Requirements
- Seeing the big picture: the ability to understand and analyse complex policy and delivery issues at pace and to use your judgement to provide clear, strategic advice.
- Leadership: outstanding leadership skills, both of high performing teams and corporately; with the ability to build a strong team culture and ethos and to motivate and manage a team to deliver at pace on a challenging and complex agenda.
- Working together: outstanding ability to forge excellent relationships and adept at successfully influencing, challenging and negotiating, to gain the confidence of key customers and senior stakeholders.
- Communicating and influencing: the personal presence, effectiveness and credibility to operate at the highest levels across DCMS and Whitehall, giving authoritative advice to the Secretary of State and the Executive Board and provide a strong lead to the Department.
- Delivering at pace: the ability to translate priorities into objectives for managers and teams; provide clarity about the action required to achieve results and address unexpected developments; establish a culture which allows people to deliver their objectives whilst ensuring support is in place.
Desirable Skills
- Familiarity with some of DCMS’s policies and delivery agenda.
- Experience of working with, and delivering on behalf of, senior stakeholders.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Leadership
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
Benefits
DCMS values its staff and offers a wide range of benefits to everyone who works here. We’re committed to developing talent, and supporting colleagues to have great careers in our department. To support with that, some of the benefits we offer include:
Flexible working arrangements and hybrid working - DCMS staff work on a flexible basis with time spent in offices, and time spent working from home.
26.5 days annual leave on entry, increasing to 31.5 days after 5 years’ service.
A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%.
Access to the Edenred employee benefits system which offers discounts to popular retailers and access to various useful resources such as financial and savings advice.
3 days of paid volunteering leave.
Up to 9 months maternity leave on full pay + generous paternity and adoption leave
Staff reward and recognition bonuses that operate throughout the year
Occupational sick pay.
Access to the Employee Assistance Programme which offers staff 24/7 confidential support and resources such as counselling, debt guidance and management advice.
Active and engaged staff networks to join including the LGBT+, Ethnic Diversity, Mental Health and Wellbeing and Gender Equality Networks.
Exceptional learning and development opportunities that you can explore alongside your day to day work.
Season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme and much more!
Terms and conditions at SCS grades will vary. Those applying for SCS roles should refer to the candidate information pack for more information on terms and conditions.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
To apply for this vacancy, you will need to submit the following documents which will assessed against the experience success profile:
- A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you provide employment history that relates to the essential and desirable criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 3 x A4 pages and you should insert your CV into the "Job History" section on Civil Service Jobs on the Civil Service Jobs application form.
- A Statement of Suitability (max 1250 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential requirements highlighted. You may also choose to reference the desirable skills listed however these will not be considered in the assessment of your application except in circumstances where there are a high number and calibre of candidates.
For the shortlist, we will select applicants demonstrating the best fit for the role by considering the evidence provided in your application.
In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial sift will be conducted on the statement of suitability. Those who are successful in the initial sift will then be scored on all elements of the application.
Should you encounter any issues with your online application please get in touch with: scscandidate.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.
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Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : SCS Candidate
- Email : scscandidate.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : scscandidate.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
