Deputy Director: Principal Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Education
Join to apply for the Deputy Director: Principal Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Education role at Department for Education
Deputy Director: Principal Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Education
Join to apply for the Deputy Director: Principal Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Education role at Department for Education
Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.
City of Westminster, London (region), SW1P 3BT
Job Summary
The Principal Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Education is a pivotal role at the heart of the Department for Education – dealing with a full range of fast moving and important issues affecting millions of children, young people and adults, with impact across the education and care system.
The successful applicant will be responsible for helping to shape, communicate and drive forward progress in line with the Secretary of State's vision and priorities. The PPS will need to ensure that the Secretary of State and the whole Ministerial team are able to make good, well-informed decisions as we develop and deliver their policy agenda.
Job Description
No two days are the same, and priorities on any given day could include advising on a significant policy decision, working to continuously improve systems and processes across private office; convening a group of senior officials and SpAds to discuss a challenging policy issue; and liaising closely with colleagues in No10 to agree a way forward on a challenging policy or handling issue.
The successful postholder will work very closely with the Secretary of State, senior officials, and a range of teams across the Department. You will be working in a dynamic environment where your good judgement will be essential.
You will be the kind of person who enjoys working with other people to deliver results. You will need to manage productive relationships with a wide range of senior stakeholders and know how to work collaboratively and constructively together, and own the Department’s relationship with No10. This includes being able to deliver difficult messages while maintaining positive relationships.
You will lead on continuing to improve how private office works and functions to deliver for Ministers and the departments – improving our processes and increasing efficiency, including through use of new tech and digital tools.
You will lead a high performing Private Office Division of around 45 FTE, as well as being an active member of the Strategy Group senior leadership team, and more broadly will contribute to the wider leadership of the Department.
The Secretary of State’s office is open for business all day every day, and you would need to be able and prepared to work some unsociable hours.
No two days are the same, and priorities on any given day could include advising on a significant policy decision, working to continuously improve systems and processes across private office; convening a group of senior officials and SpAds to discuss a challenging policy issue; and liaising closely with colleagues in No10 to agree a way forward on a challenging policy or handling issue.
The successful postholder will work very closely with the Secretary of State, senior officials, and a range of teams across the Department. You will be working in a dynamic environment where your good judgement will be essential.
You will be the kind of person who enjoys working with other people to deliver results. You will need to manage productive relationships with a wide range of senior stakeholders and know how to work collaboratively and constructively together, and own the Department’s relationship with No10. This includes being able to deliver difficult messages while maintaining positive relationships.
You will lead on continuing to improve how private office works and functions to deliver for Ministers and the departments – improving our processes and increasing efficiency, including through use of new tech and digital tools.
You will lead a high performing Private Office Division of around 45 FTE, as well as being an active member of the Strategy Group senior leadership team, and more broadly will contribute to the wider leadership of the Department.
The Secretary of State’s office is open for business all day every day, and you would need to be able and prepared to work some unsociable hours.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
The successful postholder will need to demonstrate:
* A track record of strong management and leadership, including under pressure, to develop and maintain high performing and inclusive teams.
* Outstanding communication, influencing and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to build highly influential relationships with senior leaders.
* Excellent judgement - able to take well informed decisions and give strong advice.
* Good operational and delivery understanding – with experience of leading continuous improvement of systems and processes, including through use of new tech and digital tools.
* The ability to acquire rapidly a broad knowledge of the department's business – including education strategy, policy and delivery; Parliamentary business; and a strong understanding of the political context.
* The ability to work at pace and juggle multiple urgent priorities, demonstrating personal resilience and creating a calm environment for those around you.
Alongside your salary of £76,000, Department for Education contributes £22,017 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies.
As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.
You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years’ service. In addition, all staff receive the King’s Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days’ bank and public holidays.
We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances, but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.
Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.
As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.
Selection process details
Application
To apply for this role, you need to complete an online application via the Civil Service Jobs portal. Applications will be accepted until 23:55 on Monday 30 June 2025.
You Will Be Asked To Provide
* A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
* A Statement of Suitability up to 1,250 words, detailing how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification section above (and on slide 7 of the attached candidate pack). Should we receive a high volume of applications, then we will sift on the first two essential criteria.
It is important that, through your CV and Statement of Suitability, you provide evidence and examples of proven experience for each of the Essential Criteria detailed.
Failure to submit both documents will mean the panel only has limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification.
If you are unable to apply online, please contact scs.recruitment@education.gov.uk in the first instance. Please visit our career site for further information on the Civil Service application process.
Selection Process
* Candidates invited to interview will be expected to meet the Secretary of State for Education for an informal conversation on Tuesday 15 July 2025.
* Candidates will be invited to interview on Wednesday 23 July 2025. You will be asked to prepare a presentation for the interview (further information will be shared with shortlisted candidates) and you will be asked questions to further assess your experience. For more information, please see Civil Service Success Profiles
As part of the recruitment process, we may request references.
Please note that at interview stage we may ask if you have any conflicts of interest to declare.
For an accessible version of the candidate pack, please contact scs.recruitment@education.gov.uk
Other Information
We understand that you might use AI and other resources for your application; however, please ensure all information you provide is factually accurate, truthful, and original and doesn’t include ideas or work that isn’t your own. This is so that your application is authentically and credibly your own.
We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFE@education.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs
Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.
Reasonable adjustment
If a Person With Disabilities Is Put At a Substantial Disadvantage Compared To a Non-disabled Person, We Have a Duty To Make Reasonable Changes To Our Processes. If You Need a Change To Be Made So That You Can Make Your Application, You Should
Contact Department of Education via centralrecruitment.operations@education.gov.uk soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This role has a minimum assignment duration of 1 year. An assignment duration is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through building your depth of expertise.
As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups
* UK nationals
* nationals of the Republic of Ireland
* nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
* Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact
* Name : SCS Recruitment Team
* Email : SCS.Recruitment@education.gov.uk
Recruitment team
* Email : SCS.Recruitment@education.gov.uk
Further information
The Department for Education’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles, which outlines that selection for appointment is made on merit based on fair and open competition. You have the right to complain if you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles. In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly with the department concerned via CentralRecruitment.Operations@education.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages
Seniority level
* Seniority level
Director
Employment type
* Employment type
Full-time
Job function
* Job function
Administrative
* Industries
Government Administration
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Department for Education by 2x
Sign in to set job alerts for “Secretary to Director” roles.
Private Secretary to AI Opportunities Director
London, England, United Kingdom 5 days ago
Private Secretary and Head of the Private Office
London, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Greater London, England, United Kingdom 3 days ago
Greater London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
London, England, United Kingdom 6 days ago
London, England, United Kingdom 7 hours ago
Greater London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Charlwood, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
#J-18808-Ljbffr