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- Tasks: Support the Director General in advancing the UK's international economic interests and managing key relationships.
- Company: Join the heart of HM Treasury's international policy-making team.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a strong pension scheme.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of international finance and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Other info: Friendly, inclusive environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 57670 - 64500 £ per year.
Salary: National- £57,670 - £64,500. If the successful candidate is a current Civil Servant joining on level transfer, HM Treasury will honour their current substantive salary if higher.
Contract Type: Permanent.
Working Pattern: This post is available on a full time, part time or job share basis, and flexible working hours can be accommodated.
Location: Darlington (Feethams House) only.
This is a high-profile and exciting role at the very heart of HMT's international policy making culture and multilateral engagement.
About the Team:
The Ministerial and Communications Group sits at the heart of the Treasury. If you are interested in the inner workings of the Government, meeting Ministers, Senior Officials and liaising with the Press then this could be the place for you! We are a friendly and inclusive Group working on some of the most exciting issues of the day, bringing together work from across the rest of the department and engaging closely with partners across Whitehall and beyond. We provide support to Ministers, through Ministerial offices. We act as Treasury's external face, through the Press Office and Communications team. We are responsible for managing the department, through our support for the Permanent Secretary, the Second Permanent Secretaries, the Treasury Board, and the Executive Management Board (EMB), and our ownership of Treasury governance structures. The Group is led by the Permanent Secretary.
The Leadership and Governance Team are a small, friendly team comprising the people who support the Permanent Secretary, two Second Permanent Secretaries, and Directors General. The team also incorporates the Treasury’s corporate governance and public appointments units. The team plays a crucial role in the Treasury. We provide senior leadership to the Department and are committed to running the Treasury in an open and accountable way. We welcome, value, and include people from all walks of life and we are a friendly, open, and supportive place to work. We are committed to work-life balance and flexible working.
The key accountabilities of the post are:
- As Private Secretary, you will support the Director General – International, who has overall responsibility for advancing the UK's economic and financial interests internationally and is the UK's Finance Deputy at the G7 and G20.
- Support the DG in their role on the department’s Executive Management Board (EMB) and in wider corporate leadership, including Champion roles and delivery of Diversity and Inclusion objectives.
- Using strong networks with the other EMB PSs and International Directors, ensure quality information flows that enable the DG to have timely sight of emerging issues, priorities and sensitivities to strengthen alignment across the wider EMB leadership team.
- Actively convene conversations so the DG and their group Directors operate as a coherent leadership group, with clear decisions, consistent messaging and effective delivery.
- Proactively support the DG to deliver their long-term vision across the International portfolio, taking ownership to identify strategic priorities, opportunities and risks (including international development spend, trade, climate, health, Ukraine, economic security, sanctions and illicit finance); manage the DG inbox and work with seniors to set the agenda for SCS management meetings.
- Work with the DG to prioritise their time and input across fast-moving international issues and key bilateral relationships (Europe, US, China and other advanced and emerging economies).
- Act as the main interface between the DG and HMT teams, proactively organising high-quality, timely, briefing and support, taking ownership to provide judgments on key topics and giving clear, sensitive and well-judged steers to teams drawing on international knowledge and networks.
- Work with private secretaries of other EMB members to strengthen join-up between international and domestic priorities across HMT, SCS and cross-Whitehall, identifying and escalating issues where needed.
- Support the DG in representing the UK in multilateral and bilateral settings, including the G7, G20, IMF and some Multilateral Development Banks, and in set-piece bilateral dialogues, including support to judge and manage logistics and choreography.
- Maintain excellent working relationships on the DG’s behalf, both internally and externally, with key partners including international stakeholders, No.10, Permanent Secretaries’ and other Senior Civil Servants’ offices across Government.
- Plan and coordinate international engagement to maximise impact (including external partner relationships and multilateral moments), while managing workload, logistics and any travel commitments efficiently.
- You will line manage and work in partnership with the DG’s Executive Assistant.
This job is located in the Darlington Economic Campus as the DG International is based here (although travels frequently), and their Executive Assistant is based in 1 Horse Guards Road, London (1HGR). Regular travel to London would be useful to build connections with colleagues based in 1HGR.
About You:
You thrive on building strong, productive partnerships and bringing people together to deliver shared goals—creating collaborative ways of working and confidently navigating competing priorities. You’re at your best in fast-paced environments, juggling multiple strands of work with calm focus and sharp organisation to keep everything (and everyone) moving forward. And with excellent written and verbal communication skills, you can shape clear messages, influence stakeholders, and turn ideas into action.
Some of the Benefits our people love!
- 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays and the King’s birthday (unless you have a legacy arrangement as an existing Civil Servant).
- Additionally, we operate flexitime systems, allowing employees to take up to an additional 2 days off each month.
- Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours).
- Generous parental and adoption leave packages.
- Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions of 28%.
- Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme and season ticket advances.
- A range of active staff networks, based around interests (e.g. analysts, music society, sports and social club) and diversity.
For more information about the role and how to apply, please follow the apply link.
Private Secretary to Director General – International in Durham employer: HM TREASURY-1
Contact Detail:
HM TREASURY-1 Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Private Secretary to Director General – International in Durham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees in similar roles, especially those who have worked with the Director General. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding the Treasury's international priorities. Brush up on current events related to economic security, climate issues, and international relations. Show us you’re not just interested, but passionate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a Private Secretary, you'll need to convey complex information clearly. Try mock interviews with friends or use online resources to refine your pitch and responses.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Private Secretary to Director General – International in Durham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Private Secretary. We want to see how you can support the Director General – International, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant examples!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves liaising with various stakeholders, it’s crucial to demonstrate your excellent written communication skills. Use clear and concise language in your application to reflect your ability to shape messages effectively.
Highlight Your Organisational Skills: This position requires juggling multiple tasks and priorities. Be sure to mention any experiences where you successfully managed competing demands or coordinated complex projects. We love seeing how you keep everything moving smoothly!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at HMT.
How to prepare for a job interview at HM TREASURY-1
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the role of Private Secretary to the Director General – International. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities and the current international economic landscape. This will help you demonstrate your understanding of the position and how you can contribute to the team.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As this role involves liaising with high-profile stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated in previous roles, especially in fast-paced environments. This will highlight your ability to influence and engage with various audiences.
✨Build Connections
Networking is crucial for this position. Research the key players within the Treasury and related organisations. During the interview, express your enthusiasm for building strong relationships and how you plan to foster collaboration across teams to achieve shared goals.
✨Demonstrate Organisational Skills
The role requires juggling multiple priorities, so be ready to discuss your organisational strategies. Share specific examples of how you've managed competing tasks effectively in the past, showcasing your calm focus and ability to keep everything moving forward.