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Our Mission

At BEIS, we are leading the UK’s recovery from coronavirus and are building a stronger, greener country. Our varied work makes a real difference to people across the UK and internationally. This is a fantastic opportunity to become part of the BEIS team and our exciting mission!

We lead on the UK’s commitments to tackle climate change and drive green economic growth. We support businesses to create jobs and increase opportunity in regions across the UK. We also encourage investment and innovation to make the UK a science superpower producing research that will improve lives.

Our Inclusive Environment

We are building an inclusive culture to make BEIS a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because it will help us be more innovative and make better decisions.

We offer first-class flexible working benefits, excellent employee well-being support and a great pension. We are fortunate to have a range of excellent staff networks and are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We will support talented people from all backgrounds to build a career and thrive.

We actively welcome applications from anyone who shares our commitment to inclusion. We will fully support candidates with a disability or long-term condition who require adjustments in our recruitment process.

The role and our team

The Permanent Secretaries’ Office is looking for a Business Manager and Corporate Private Secretary to support the Permanent Secretary and the Second Permanent Secretary. The successful applicant will join a fun and supportive private office team, supporting the Permanent Secretaries to deliver effectively across a wide range of priorities in the department. It is an excellent place to gain an insight into the workings of a large Whitehall department tackling many of the major issues facing the UK.

This position sits within the Policy, Strategy and Private Office Directorate (PSPO) in BEIS. We are committed to being an inclusive employer with a diverse and representative workforce at all levels. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures and experiences. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates and those with other protected characteristics. Appointments are made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition.

This role attracts an 18% Private Office uplift, recognising the additional demands of the role, including working beyond usual core hours.

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

Key responsibilities

The Business Manager will lead on business management and work alongside the Executive Assistant to support the Permanent Secretaries and their private office. Further, they will provide private secretary support on work related to the Corporate Services Group. The exact portfolio will flex according to team needs and individual preferences over time (see below for an indication of the policy areas that will be covered). They will also look at the team processes to ensure they meet requirements and are effectively streamlined.

Key duties/tasks that the candidate will be responsible for -

• Oversight of key directorates in the department to provide Private Secretary style support, including:

o implementation and delivery, including work around departmental delivery and GMPP projects;

o commercial and operations for the department, incorporating BEIS estate and projects;

o finance (with the Chief of Staff leading on major strategic finance matters);

o analysis directorate;

o legal work/GLD;

• Office business management:

o proactively planning ahead for key elements of business management for the team;

o working with the Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Private Secretary on day-to-day management and processes to keep the office running smoothly e.g. box and inbox management;

o overseeing the work of the Executive Assistant, including assisting with diary management (this may include line management);

o physical office, digital and other processes, and knowledge and information management;

o HR for line reports of Permanent Secretaries;

o team recruitment and onboarding (including induction);

o team L&D;

o corporate reporting;

o team organisation and coordination, including planning and supporting the delivery of key meetings e.g. away days;

o managing in year rewards;

o developing common objectives and standards, both for those managed directly and across the team;

o covering the Executive Assistant when required.

Skills and experience

We would love to hear from you if you have:

• Excellent organisational skills;
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills;
• Experience of project or office management;
• Confidence working in a fast-paced environment;
• Ability to work proactively and reactively to ensure the diary and office are managed effectively;
• Prior private office experience is desirable;
• Experience of line management is desirable.

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace
• Changing and Improving

BEIS offers a competitive mix of benefits including:

A culture of flexible working, such as job sharing, homeworking and compressed hours.

Automatic enrolment into the Civil Service Pension Scheme.

A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.

An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities, which all staff are actively encouraged to pursue.

Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.

A hybrid office/home based working model where staff will spend a norm of 40-60% of their time in the office (minimum of 40%) over a month with flex dependent on balancing business and individual need (from September 2021, depending on how the public health guidance evolves).

Job contact :

Name :
Madhav Bakshi
Email :
[email protected]

Recruitment team :

Email :
[email protected]