Job description

Do you have excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing? 

Are you a highly organised individual with exceptional time management skills? 

If so, then this exciting opportunity in the Department for Transport’s Private Office in a Ministerial office role is for you and we’d love to hear from you. 

In this role, you will be a vital part of a small, dedicated and friendly team, working closely together to support the minister. We will look to you to understand your minister’s key priorities and time constraints and play an active role in ensuring their time is used most effectively in the Department. You will work closely with and independently with officials, other ministerial offices, press office, parliamentary branch, and correspondence teams. 

This role is varied, challenging and enjoyable. You will work in a fast-paced, high-profile environment and provide vital support both to the team and the ministers, acting as the interface between them, the department, and the rest of government. 

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious individual to work at the very heart of the Department and gain invaluable experience of how Ministers, Parliament and a large government department work. 

Role responsibilities 

Some of your key responsibilities will include: 

• Liaising with officials, press office, parliamentary branch and your own team to ensure the minister’s diary is suitably organised to deal with a wide range of commitments 
• Ensuring that the minister is provided with all relevant briefing and papers prior to any meetings 
• Organising travel and accommodation for all ministerial visits and trips 
• Monitoring the minister’s inbox daily to respond promptly to all queries and requests 
• Processing all invitations both from officials and external stakeholders enabling the minister to attend a variety of events, conferences and meetings 
• Completing the transparency return for the minister, keeping account of financial spend and international trips taken. 
• Opportunity to take on policy portfolio to liaise with policy teams on specific areas 

About you 

To thrive in this role, you are able to expertly communicate at all levels with internal and external stakeholders, both verbally and in written format. You engage effectively to build relationships with stakeholders and other ministerial offices, demonstrating a degree of discretion when discussing the minister’s diary commitments. 

With high attention to detail, you have the capability to effectively plan travel arrangements and visits and have an excellent ability for time management. You demonstrate resilience, good judgement and the ability to remain calm when arrangements change. 

You are responsive to moving components in the diary and confident in your own ability to apply good judgement when making fast-paced decisions. You work well independently and as part of a team. 

We are committed to encouraging and enabling our staff to develop in and above their role and will support you in undertaking further learning and development opportunities. 

About us 

We are part of the Department for Transport (DfT). DfT is a great place to work, and our ‘one team’ approach really makes a difference. We value our staff and that’s why we’re committed to nurturing an inclusive environment across the Department. 

You’ll be part of an innovative organisation that invests in all our people, ensuring we have the diverse skills to deliver transport that moves Britain ahead now and into the future.