Overview
This is a challenging and high-profile post at the centre of the department’s Finance Group. The Finance Directorates are at the forefront of supporting the department in delivering its priorities and objectives. The Financial Management and Partnering directorate is responsible for the in-year financial management of the department’s finances, as well as future strategic decisions. It leads on the analysis supporting resourcing, financial and service improvement decisions, and has responsibility of the Finance Business Partner offer to the entire department.
The Private Secretary and Head of Business Support will play a crucial role in establishing the systems, processes and culture that will underpin effective leadership and enable the Director of Financial Management and Partnering to focus on their top priorities and discharge their responsibilities efficiently and effectively.
The postholder will be responsible for the ownership of a broad portfolio which covers the entirety of the department’s remit.
It is vital the postholder is an independent and proactive individual, who is adept at acting on their own initiative whilst making a meaningful contribution to the work of the wider team.
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Responsibilities
* Lead the work relating to Directorate’s priorities.
* Build and develop the immediate Private Office e.g. (Assistant Private Secretary and Diary Manager), and wider Business Support Team to support the director and wider Directorates.
* Commission work and advice to enable timely decisions to be taken to ensure director and wider directorate is provided with the right advice at the right time to enable evidence-based decision-making. Engage subject matter experts, often on technical issues, to understand issues and develop concise and easy to understand briefing, for example programme boards, departmental priorities, etc.
* Quality-assuring advice from others on key director responsibilities.
* Interpret and analyse information to think strategically and plan ahead to identify long and short-term priorities; and take action to respond to them: applying a critical, challenging mind-set to technical matters, for example commercial contracts; long term spending decisions etc. to advise director accordingly.
* Commissioning, reviewing, filtering and challenging strategic and technical advice to the director, that helps them to take timely and well-informed decisions on key issues in the directorate, group, and department.
* Use discretion, tact, and diplomacy to advise the director and drive forward issues on their behalf.
* Build and maintain strong and effective relationships across the complex stakeholder environment that makes up DWP (Executive Team and director offices, Finance Group colleagues including Finance Executive Team, Permanent Secretary’s, and Ministers’ Private Offices) to identify issues early.
* Lead on strategic workforce planning for the directorate, working with colleagues across the three finance directorates, and those in the group’s planning and performance team to ensure a joined-up approach.
Hybrid working
This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post. This role can only be delivered from the UK.
Visa Sponsorship
For these vacancies, we strongly recommend that applicants consult with an immigration specialist or qualified advisor to assess their eligibility for Visa Sponsorship before deciding to apply. Please note that while we consider sponsorship requests in accordance with current DWP guidance and Home Office policy, sponsorship cannot be guaranteed.
Locations
You will be asked for your preferences for up to 3 locations, these will tell us where you would prefer to work if you are successful. Please do not select a location unless you are prepared to accept a role in that location.
Please note that for candidates requesting to work in Newcastle, this role will be based at Benton Park View from September 2025, and then at 1 Pilgrim Place in Newcastle city centre by the end of 2027.
Selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit, on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principleshere.
Successful candidates will be posted in merit order based on your location preferences, where appropriate, and the geographical requirements of the business. Dependent on your position on the merit list, if none of your location preferences remain at the point we make a job offer DWP may offer you a role at an alternative advertised location. If we are unable to offer you a role in any of your preferred locations, and you are unable to accept a role at an alternative advertised location, we will add you to the reserve list if one is being held.
The roles available will be based in :
* Birmingham 3 Arena Central, Bridge Street, Birmingham B1 2AX
* Blackpool Peel Park, Brunel Way, Blackpool FY4 5ES
* Leeds Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7UA.
* Manchester 2 St Peter’s Square, Manchester, M2 3AA.
* Newcastle Benton Park View, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE98 1BA.
* Sheffield Hartshead Square, Sheffield, S1 2FD.
Some travel may be required.
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