JOB SUMMARY

At DSIT we’re all about improving people’s lives by maximising the potential of science & technology.
We accelerate innovation, investment and productivity through world-class science, research and development.
We use technology for good by ensuring new and existing technologies are safely developed and deployed across the UK, with the benefits more widely shared.
We are driving forward a modern digital government which gives citizens a more satisfying experience and their time back.
We do all this to enable the Government’s 5 national missions: kickstarting economic growth, making Britain a clean energy superpower, taking back our streets, breaking down barriers to opportunity and building an NHS fit for the future.
Above all, we focus on improving people’s lives. Whether it’s researching new treatments for disease, developing better batteries, reducing burdens through better public services, keeping children safe online, and much more, outcomes for citizens are at the heart of what we do.

JOB DESCRIPTION

AI has the potential to fundamentally change society and the economy and plays a vital role in achieving the government’s missions. It is estimated that the widespread adoption of AI could increase annual productivity by up to 1.5 percentage points. The AI Opportunities directorate sits within DSIT and is responsible for ensuring the Government, businesses, and the UK population are able to take advantage of this once-in-a-generation moment.
In January 2025, we published the AI Opportunities Action Plan that aims to build a UK sector that can scale and compete globally, boost technology adoption across the economy, and ensure the necessary infrastructure, talent, and data access to drive AI adoption in both the public and private sectors. The Plan included 50 actions in total focused on UK AI Capabilities, AI adoption, and Sovereign AI, which we are responsible for delivering as a whole.
We are looking for a highly motivated and organised self-starter to take on the role of Private Secretary to the AI Opportunities Director. This role sits at the heart of the business unit, working directly to the Director, enabling strong leadership and critical oversight of a fast-paced and priority policy area.
To be successful in this role, you will need to be highly organised, remaining on top of multiple critical priorities at once, alongside resolving new issues quickly and effectively, or escalating as appropriate. It will be essential for you to build trusted relationships with a range of stakeholders and demonstrate confidence engaging with senior stakeholders both internal and external to government.
Additionally, you will be expected to use your sound judgement and policy skills to advise teams on the best way to engage with senior civil servants (SCS) and ministers in DSIT.
While this role requires high degree of autonomous working, the Private Secretary will sit within our Corporate team in the Directorate, which ensures the business area is set up to deliver its vision for AI Opportunities.
We are a fun, diverse and vibrant Directorate committed to supporting our staff’s development and well-being, as well as delivering excellent work. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and are keen to welcome new team members who will contribute to our friendly and inclusive culture.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

Previous private office and line management experience is desirable, but we welcome applications from proactive and motivated individuals seeking to apply their strong organisation, communication, and problem-solving skills to this exciting role too.

SELECTION PROCESS DETAILS

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Please use your personal statement (in no more than 750 words) to set out how your skills and experience meet the key essential criteria outlined (and desirable criteria, where relevant) in the Skills and Experience section.
Applications will be sifted on CV and Personal Statement.
In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the personal statement.
Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
The interview will consist of behaviour and strength based questions.
To help you to prepare for your interview, for this campaign behaviour questions will be shared in advance of interview if you are successful at sift stage. These questions should be treated as confidential and should not be shared.
The interview panel may ask you other questions which will not be shared with you in advance, including any follow-up questions, and other elements listed in the job advert, for example, experience, abilities, strengths and technical skills. The panel will be looking for examples of your own work, experience, and ability so do try and avoid using AI written answers without any human oversight.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

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)
• 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

TYPE OF ROLE

Administration / Corporate Support
Operational Delivery
Policy

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

This is a varied role, with new and interesting challenges to tackle arising each day. Core responsibilities include:

• Keeping up with the latest developments across AI Opportunities teams to ensure the Director maintains critical oversight of the business area;
• Attending priority meetings with the Director to provide readouts and ensure actions are allocated and carried forward, as required;
• Effective management of the Director’s inbox to support effective prioritisation and timely responses to incoming commissions and requests;
• Working with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) on cross-cutting and emerging issues to resolve or escalate, ensuring Director input and sign-off is provided as appropriate;
• Building relationships and working effectively across the directorate, at all levels, to ensure Director input and sign-off is provided as appropriate;
• Managing relationships with ministerial and SCS private offices to align work with top departmental and ministerial priorities;
• Line management of an EO Diary Manager to deliver a quality service to the Director, including ensuring a seamless service during periods of leave;
• Chairing directorate stand-ups, forming the weekly newsletter, and creating daily box notes for the Director;
• Working closely with the central team in the directorate, which ensures the business area is set up to deliver its vision for AIO.

For this role, essential skills and experience includes:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, communicating concisely and coherently to a variety of audiences;
• Excellent organisation skills and a strong attention to detail, prioritising work effectively and delivering consistently under time pressure and in a complex working environment;
• Demonstrable planning and time management skills, confidently taking the lead to resolve problems and ensure individual and team priorities achieved;
• A track record of building strong and trusted relationships with a range of stakeholders, regardless of seniority;
• Ability to maintain an awareness of strategic priorities and proactively aligning your work with these;
• Experience of handling sensitive information and maintaining confidentiality as appropriate