Head of Private Office

Contract: Until 13 March 2027 IR35: Inside IR35 Security Clearance: SC Location: Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, London, Manchester, Nottingham, Norwich or Swindon Working: 2–3 days per week on site Pay £550 per day umbrella We are currently seeking an experienced Head of Private Office to support a senior Director within a major UK public sector organisation. This is a high-profile, strategic role for an individual who can operate as a trusted adviser and critical friend to senior leadership, providing challenge, sound judgement and strategic oversight across a complex organisation. You will play a central role in driving the Director’s priorities, joining up activity across the organisation and ensuring key risks, issues and opportunities are identified and addressed proactively. The Role As Head of Private Office, you will: * Act as a trusted adviser and strategic sounding board to the Director, providing independent challenge and advice on complex and sensitive issues. * Drive forward the Director’s priorities and ensure strategic objectives are translated into effective plans and delivery. * Maintain a forward view of emerging risks, opportunities and cross-organisational issues. * Represent the Director with senior stakeholders and make decisions on their behalf within agreed parameters. * Lead the Private Office function, ensuring high standards across governance, correspondence, commissioning, reporting and business management. * Work collaboratively across teams and with other senior office leads to resolve issues and ensure effective organisational alignment. * Lead and develop a high-performing Private Office team. * Champion the effective use of AI, digital tools and modern collaboration platforms to improve efficiency, information management and ways of working. About You We are looking for a confident and experienced senior professional who is comfortable operating in a fast-paced and complex environment. You will have excellent judgement, strong political and organisational awareness and the ability to influence senior stakeholders without relying on formal authority. You will be comfortable challenging senior leaders constructively and providing honest advice, including when the message may be difficult. You should have: * Significant experience in a strategic, managerial, Private Office, Chief of Staff or business integration role. * Proven experience advising and influencing senior stakeholders. * Experience managing complex and competing priorities. * Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. * Experience working across organisational boundaries. * Experience leading and developing high-performing teams. * Excellent written and verbal communication skills. * High levels of emotional intelligence and discretion. * Experience working with sensitive and confidential information. * Strong digital capability, including experience with AI tools, AI agents and contemporary collaboration software. * Knowledge and understanding of the wider Civil Service environment. * Active SC security clearance. Desirable * Previous Private Office experience. * Experience as a Chief of Staff, Head of Office, Business Manager or Strategic Adviser. * Understanding of the machinery of government. * APM or equivalent project management qualification