Senior Private Secretary
| Posting date: | 02 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £42,665 to £50,495 per year |
| Additional salary information: | York: £42,665- £46,765 London- £46,060- £50,495 For details of our pay on appointment policy, please see below under the heading ‘Salary’. |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 20 March 2026 |
| Location: | York |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 451132/2 |
Summary
You will form part of the Ministerial, Growth and Resilience Directorate, providing support on the government’s Growth Mission, as well as working on regulation and regulatory reform. It also includes Defra’s briefing, parliamentary, and ministerial support functions, including Defra’s ministerial and permanent secretary private offices.
We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups.
Location
These roles are Full-Time Only, Ministerial private office roles will be based in London only, and Permanent Secretary private office roles will be based in London or York.
About The Role
This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of Defra, supporting the Permanent Secretary. You will play a key role in shaping priorities and ensuring effective decision-making at the highest level.
The role involves day-to-day interaction with the Permanent Secretary, Director Generals, and senior officials. You will gain a unique insight into decision-making at the highest levels across government and help shape the department’s priorities. This is a high-profile position with significant responsibility, influence, and autonomy.
Every day will be varied, fast-paced, and rewarding. We are looking for organised, proactive, and resilient individuals who thrive in a dynamic environment and enjoy working at the heart of Defra. You will be part of a friendly, high-performing team that values collaboration and professionalism.
As Senior Private Secretary, you will lead on a diverse portfolio of issues, from driving strategic priorities and coordinating cross-government engagement to managing urgent ministerial business and ensuring the smooth operation of the office. Working in Private Office requires a level of autonomy and leadership normally expected of more senior roles. It is therefore a fantastic opportunity for those looking to progress quickly and develop their skillset beyond what many other SEO roles provide.
This role attracts a duty allowance, reflecting the need for on-call hours, which operate on rotation among the team and, in a crisis, some unsociable hours.
Key Responsibilities
- Owning a broad portfolio and acting as a key adviser to the Permanent Secretary on a range of issues, delivering on their priorities.
- Managing the flow of information and ensuring effective governance of decision-making.
- Liaising across government with other departments, public bodies to deliver Defra’s objectives.
- Analysing submissions, correspondence, and briefings, ensuring they are clear, accurate, and timely.
- Playing a key role in the division’s management team by helping to manage resources, staff allocation, wellbeing, and providing support to the team. Some positions will also include line management responsibilities.
- Attending meetings with or on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, preparing arrangements, producing actionable readouts, and monitoring delivery.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme