Private Secretary

at  UK Research and Innovation

JOB SUMMARY

Join UKRI’s External Affairs team as Private Secretary—supporting leadership and driving strategic priorities at the core of research and innovation.
The External Affairs and Communications Private Office is a new function in the directorate. This small team will sit at the heart of the directorate, playing a critical role in its success and directly supporting the senior leadership and wider function. As Private Secretary you will work very closely with the Deputy Directors and SLT within the directorate in particular. You will also cover for the Senior Private Secretary during leave and absences, taking responsibility for the successful operation of the overall office during these times.
This is a multifaceted and challenging role, which requires the post-holder to be able to build and maintain trusted relationships with a wide range of collaborators across UKRI, academia, business, and Government. The post holder will be expected to deliver at pace, communicate and collaborate effectively, and have strong attention to detail. You will need to possess integrity and understand the need for, and exercise, discretion and confidentiality.

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Providing insight and challenge to the external affairs and communications senior leadership team, and in particular the Deputy Directors within the function
• Ensuring that Deputy Directors are well briefed for their engagements and, where appropriate, representing and championing their views.
• Providing advice and, where necessary, constructive challenge to teams across the wider directorate on any areas falling within your portfolio.
• Coordinating the development, implementation, and continual improvement of operational processes for the directorate.
• Working flexibly as required to support colleagues across the team. Contributing to the overall functioning of an effective, efficient, and friendly office, including working with other executive offices across the organisation to share best practice and build a strong peer network.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• The ability to work under pressure, against competing priorities, and to tight deadlines;
• Strong background of working in or with external affairs and communication, understanding its role as a strategic lever for delivery.
• Organisational management and/or project management experience, such as managing team or directorate-level reporting or compliance processes.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including experience communicating directly with senior colleagues;
• Experience providing advice and challenge on policy or operational issues.
  To view the full job description and person specification please click ‘apply’ and visit our careers page.
  Benefits
  Alongside your salary of £43,116, UK Research and Innovation contributes £12,490 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package! We are committed to supporting employees’ development and promote a culture of continuous learning! A list of benefits below.

• An excellent defined benefit pension scheme
• 30 days’ annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent)
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
• Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
• Flexible working options

Please click here for more details on the Benefits of working for UKRI – UKRI
Things you need to know

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)

Secretarial