The Role
This role is one of the most senior in Private Office, offering a unique opportunity to work at the centre of ministerial decision-making and support one of government’s biggest and most complex departments.
Key Responsibilities
The postholder will lead a high performing team in a fast paced and challenging environment, responsible for supporting the Lord Chancellor to:
- Set priorities: leading a 12-month cycle of priority and delegation letters to Junior Ministers. These set out priorities for the Department and policy delegations for Junior Ministers.
- Track delivery: lead across the Department on a quarterly stocktake of the priorities set out in letters. This provides an update on progress and an early warning system for anything that is off track.
Enhance delivery: overseeing a Delivery Unit function that works directly with policy and operational teams on a small number of priority projects, w- delivery is off track.
- Forward Plan: responsibility for a six-month forward look, which brings together all the known events and moments - legislative, parliamentary, policy, operational, statistical releases, internal and external publications. This is designed to reveal crunch points, potential risks and opportunities to articulate key messages.
- Articulate key messages: leading through others to ensure high-quality written briefing for parliamentary-appearances, reflecting key messages and priorities. The postholder will also oversee Ministerial correspondence, as part of this.
Additional Responsibilities
Leadership: this role provides leadership to two Grade 6s, two Grade 7s and the wider Ministerial Correspondence Support Team.
Essential Experience:
- A track record of leadership in high profile roles.
- A clear understanding of both political and departmental priorities.
- Confidence in engaging with senior officials, Ministers and external stakeholders.
- A track record of success in service delivery.
- Clear written and verbal communication.
- The ability to thrive and lead in a fast-paced environment.
Desirable Experience:
- Prior exposure to ministerial or senior official support roles
- Understanding of parliamentary processes
- Understanding of ministerial correspondence
