Head of Private Office

Contract: Until 13 March 2027

Location: Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, London, Manchester, Nottingham, Norwich or Swindon

Working pattern: Hybrid, 2 to 3 days per week onsite

IR35: Inside IR35 £550 per day

Clearance: SC Clearance required

We are recruiting four experienced Heads of Private Office to work closely with senior Directors within a complex public sector organisation.

This is a senior, high-trust role combining strategic advice, business integration, operational leadership and stakeholder management. You will act as a trusted advisor and critical friend to a Director, helping drive priorities, resolve cross-organisational challenges and ensure effective delivery across the Directorate.

Successful candidates will be aligned to different business areas based on their experience and strengths, including strategy, investment, capital projects, workplace services, finance and corporate operations.

Key responsibilities:

Act as a trusted strategic advisor and independent challenger to the Director on complex and sensitive matters.
Provide high-quality advice and decision support, anticipating risks, dependencies and emerging issues.
Represent the Director in senior meetings and working groups, making decisions within agreed parameters.
Translate organisational priorities into clear Directorate plans and maintain a 6 to 12-month strategic forward look.
Act as a quality gate for senior submissions, briefings and papers.
Lead and develop the Private Office team, establishing consistent processes and high standards.
Oversee operational activity including business planning, workforce planning, budgets, governance and reporting.
Improve information sharing and collaboration through AI tools, automation, shared systems and contemporary digital tools.
Build strong relationships across Directorates and resolve cross-functional issues without unnecessary escalation.
Lead special projects and priority initiatives on behalf of the Director.

Essential experience:

Significant experience in a strategic, business management, Private Office, Chief of Staff, business integration or similar senior role.
Strong experience advising, challenging and influencing senior leaders.
Experience evaluating complex issues and providing clear recommendations to senior decision-makers.
Proven ability to connect different functions and resolve challenges that cross organisational boundaries.
Strong senior stakeholder management skills, including influencing without direct authority.
Experience operating effectively in fast-paced environments with competing and changing priorities.
Strong digital capability, including practical experience using AI tools and modern collaboration platforms.
Experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
Strong judgement when handling confidential and sensitive information.
Ability to work through ambiguity and make logical decisions with incomplete information.
Knowledge and understanding of the wider Civil Service system.
Strong organisational skills, including management of senior meetings, commissions and priorities.

Desirable:

Previous Private Office experience.
Understanding of the machinery of government.
APM or another recognised project management qualification.

You will suit this role if you can operate confidently with senior leadership, challenge constructively and maintain oversight of several complex priorities at once. You will need strong judgement, discretion and the confidence to raise difficult issues when required.

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