Senior Private Secretary to Defra Ministers

Posting date:	02 April 2026
Salary:	£62,000 to £69,105 per year
Additional salary information:	For details of our pay on appointment policy, please see below under the heading ‘Salary’.
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	13 April 2026
Location:	London
Company:	Government Recruitment Service
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	455421/1

Summary

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink.

Ministerial, Growth and Resilience

Ministerial, Growth and Resilience Directorate. provides support on the Government Growth Mission as well as working on regulation and regulatory reform. It also includes Defra’s Briefing, parliamentary and ministerial support functions as Defra’s Ministerial and Permanent Secretary Private Offices.

Encouraging diverse applicants

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

This role is London Based and Full Time Only.

Role overview

This is a demanding, high-profile and rewarding role at the heart of the department. As Senior Private Secretary you will work directly with the Secretary of State or lead the office of a minister. You will play a key leadership role in Private Office and across the wider department. You will lead a high-performing team, use sound judgement and help deliver the minister’s priorities in a fast-paced and often complex environment.

This recruitment will create a merit list that may be used to fill future vacancies.

Responsibilities

Lead delivery of the minister’s priorities
• Understand the minister’s aims and make sure they are turned into clear, actionable work.
• Provide direction to teams so that work is aligned with what the minister needs.

Provide high-quality advice and briefing
• Make sure the department gives the minister clear, timely and well-evidenced advice.
• Provide your own advice where appropriate, drawing on experience and judgement.

Build and manage strong relationships
• Work closely with other ministers, special advisers, Senior Civil Servants and colleagues across government.
• Act as a trusted point of contact and a confident advocate for the minister’s position.
• Resolve issues quickly, including with No10, the Cabinet Secretariat and other departments.

Set the direction for the Private Office
• Shape effective ways of working and ensure processes are fit for purpose.
• Help promote a positive culture where people feel supported, included and able to perform at their best.

Lead and support your team
• If leading the office of a junior minister, oversee a team of private secretaries and a diary manager.
• Build resilience in the team and support their development.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

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.