Deputy Private Secretary
| Posting date: | 19 December 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £38,443 to £43,934 per year |
| Additional salary information: | Our salary from £38,443 with the maximum salary on this scale being £43,934 as of April 2025 (subject to future COPFS pay awards). All payments are pro rata for part-time staff. |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 11 January 2026 |
| Location: | Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | EXTDPS0126 |
Summary
About the Role:
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) is Scotland’s prosecution service, and we are seeking an experienced Deputy Private Secretary to support the Crown Agent and Chief Executive’s Private Office and Senior Leadership team. This high-profile role requires exceptional organisational skills, discretion, and the ability to deliver under pressure. You will manage the submissions pipeline, maintain forward planning for governance cycles and key events, draft and refine briefing materials and correspondence, and ensure sensitive information is handled in line with governance requirements. You will coordinate senior-level meetings, track actions to completion, and lead logistics for major visits and engagements. Acting as a key liaison, you will build strong relationships with senior offices across government and justice partners, deputise for the Private Secretary when required, and provide leadership to direct reports.
You will bring proven expertise in commissioning and quality assurance, including designing and overseeing processes that meet organisational and statutory standards. Comprehensive knowledge of the criminal justice system is essential, along with the ability to apply legislation and policy understanding to inform decisions and manage risk. Significant experience in a Private Office environment is required, including managing complex diaries, preparing briefings, and coordinating sensitive correspondence. You will be highly organised, resilient, and results-driven, with strong communication and influencing skills to engage confidently with senior leaders and external partners.
This is a unique opportunity to work at the centre of Scotland’s criminal justice system, influencing decisions that shape the sector.
Additional Information:
If you would be interested to learn more about this role, please see the attached application pack for further job details, salary information and assessment guidance.
Benefits:
We offer an excellent range of benefits which include:
25 days paid holiday + 11.5 public and privilege holidays (rising to 30 days paid holiday after 4 years).
Generous Civil Service Pension employer contribution, on average over 28.97% of your pay
Flexible working hours and family friendly approach to work.
Cycle to Work Scheme and Season Ticket Loans.
Employee Wellbeing Support with Mental Health First Aiders and access to an Employee Assistance Programme.
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) is Scotland’s prosecution service, and we are seeking an experienced Deputy Private Secretary to support the Crown Agent and Chief Executive’s Private Office and Senior Leadership team. This high-profile role requires exceptional organisational skills, discretion, and the ability to deliver under pressure. You will manage the submissions pipeline, maintain forward planning for governance cycles and key events, draft and refine briefing materials and correspondence, and ensure sensitive information is handled in line with governance requirements. You will coordinate senior-level meetings, track actions to completion, and lead logistics for major visits and engagements. Acting as a key liaison, you will build strong relationships with senior offices across government and justice partners, deputise for the Private Secretary when required, and provide leadership to direct reports.
You will bring proven expertise in commissioning and quality assurance, including designing and overseeing processes that meet organisational and statutory standards. Comprehensive knowledge of the criminal justice system is essential, along with the ability to apply legislation and policy understanding to inform decisions and manage risk. Significant experience in a Private Office environment is required, including managing complex diaries, preparing briefings, and coordinating sensitive correspondence. You will be highly organised, resilient, and results-driven, with strong communication and influencing skills to engage confidently with senior leaders and external partners.
This is a unique opportunity to work at the centre of Scotland’s criminal justice system, influencing decisions that shape the sector.
Additional Information:
If you would be interested to learn more about this role, please see the attached application pack for further job details, salary information and assessment guidance.
Benefits:
We offer an excellent range of benefits which include:
25 days paid holiday + 11.5 public and privilege holidays (rising to 30 days paid holiday after 4 years).
Generous Civil Service Pension employer contribution, on average over 28.97% of your pay
Flexible working hours and family friendly approach to work.
Cycle to Work Scheme and Season Ticket Loans.
Employee Wellbeing Support with Mental Health First Aiders and access to an Employee Assistance Programme.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.