Business Manager and Private Sectary to the Director General


Company:	Government Recruitment Service
Salary:	£35,367 to £41,494 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	London
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	4 Sept 2026
Closing date:	13 Sept 2026

Apply for this job

Summary

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) is the department for economic growth. We support businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities across the country. The Department works with businesses, consumers, regulators and partners across government to create the conditions for a strong and competitive economy.

The Domestic and International Markets and Export (DIME) Group within BIST plays a vital role in advising, supporting, and promoting UK businesses to grow and export, delivering economic growth through our services and policy interventions across the UK and overseas.

The DG DIME Private office is a small and agile team of 3, led by the Head of Private Office and supported by a wider operational team. The office supports two Director Generals who work in a job share.

Working in Private Office is really rewarding and a fun place to work, but you will need to be resilient to the challenges that arise. To be successful, you must be able to build networks across all levels and communicate effectively in writing and verbally. You will be empowered to make decisions and so must demonstrate excellent judgement in the face of uncertainty, competing views and demands. This is an exciting and stretching role with significant developmental opportunities.

As the Business Manager and Private Secretary to the Director Generals, you will play a central role in supporting the effective running of the DG DIME Private Office.

Working closely with the Director Generals’ Head of Private Office, Assistant Private Secretary, and operational team. You will develop an understanding of the Director Generals’ priorities, so you are able to advise on key decisions and communicate these effectively. You will work closely with the Director Generals’ Senior Leadership Team to ensure the Director Generals are using their time in the most effective and focused way.

You will own the Director Generals’ diary, manage conflicts autonomously and horizon scan so upcoming challenges are managed in an effective and timely manner.

You will also support coordination of cross-cutting activities and returns, ensuring alignment with wider departmental priorities.

Additionally, you will coordinate high-quality briefings, submissions and visit programmes, and ensure the Director Generals are prepared for meetings, travel and engagements. The postholder will need to exercise sound judgement, anticipate issues, resolve competing demands and maintain momentum across multiple workstreams.

The role will also provide strong operational and administrative support to the Director Generals, including managing travel and visit logistics, processing expenses, maintaining accurate records and filing systems, and responding to transparency and information requests in line with departmental requirements. The postholder will also develop a positive relationship with the Director Generals, building up trust through clear communication and developing a sufficient knowledge of their policy portfolio to give advice when required. The postholder will build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, represent the office professionally and handle sensitive communications with discretion. They will work creatively and collaboratively to unblock issues, support commissions from the Director Generals, horizon scan for risks and opportunities, and help ensure the Director Generals’ engagements are strategic, well planned and aligned to DIME priorities.

Apply for this job

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident

Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.