Private Office Diary Manager to the Minister

Role overview

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is seeking a Diary Manager to join Private Office in Westminster, London. This position sits at the centre of ministerial support and plays a key part in helping the Department deliver its priorities. The role is suited to someone who enjoys a busy, high-trust environment and can work closely with Ministers, Special Advisers and senior officials.

DWP is the government department responsible for social security, labour market policy, pensions and child maintenance. It supports millions of people across the UK through the State Pension and a wide range of working-age, disability and ill-health benefits. Private Office acts as the main link between the Department and Ministers, providing advice, coordination and support across departmental business.

What you will do

• Coordinate diary activity for the Minister, including deciding which meetings, events and invitations take priority.
• Work with the Minister, Private Office colleagues and senior stakeholders to solve scheduling and logistics issues.
• Handle the Minister’s inbox, correspondence and Parliamentary Questions.
• Organise Ministerial visits to DWP sites and external engagements, covering travel and wider logistics.
• Liaise with officials across the Department so that briefing material for Ministerial meetings is delivered on time and to a high standard.
• Support the Head of Office in maintaining the relationship with the Minister’s constituency office.
• Oversee administrative functions linked to diary management and parliamentary correspondence.

What kind of person fits this role

This is a demanding but rewarding post for someone who is well organised, resilient and adaptable. The team works in a fast-moving setting, so you will need to manage a substantial workload, stay calm under pressure and make sound decisions. Strong judgement, political awareness and sharp attention to detail are all important.

Selection and working arrangements

The vacancy uses the Success Profiles framework and will assess behaviours, strengths and experience. Applicants must submit a CV and a personal statement of up to 1000 words explaining how they meet the person specification and essential criteria. The sift is expected to take place in July 2026, and shortlisted candidates will attend a face-to-face blended interview at Caxton House, London. A short written exercise or presentation may also be included.

The role is based at Caxton House, London and is only available in the UK. It is advertised as full time, although job share may be considered. Alternative working patterns such as term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours may be possible, but availability should be discussed before applying. Because of the parliamentary timetable, longer hours may occasionally be required, and overtime will be paid where applicable.

Essential criteria

• Strong ability to organise work, prioritise effectively and communicate clearly; this is the lead criterion.
• Confidence in working with colleagues at every level, and in influencing and communicating with tact, credibility and knowledge.
• Ability to manage the team’s administrative activity, including diary control and parliamentary correspondence.
• Experience supporting senior leadership, including helping manage the relationship with a Minister’s constituency office.
• Comfort using customer service management systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent attention to detail, resilience, sound judgement and political awareness.

Behaviours assessed

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Security and eligibility requirements

This appointment requires National Security Vetting to Security Check (SC) level, in addition to Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). You must be able to obtain SC clearance before starting. The vetting process is used to confirm trustworthiness, integrity and reliability and may involve checks into background and circumstances. Applicants must satisfy UK residency rules for NSV, meaning continuous residence in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years, including the immediately preceding 2 years.

The role can only be performed from within the UK and not overseas. Successful candidates will be appointed on merit through fair and open competition, and placement may depend on location preference and business needs.

Pay and benefits

The salary for this post is £37,016 per year. DWP also contributes £10,723 towards membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Overtime may be payable when longer working hours are required.

Additional benefits include flexible working patterns such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours; annual leave starting at 23 days and rising to 30 days over time, plus 9 days of public and privilege leave; interest-free season ticket loans, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme; health and wellbeing support through the Employee Assistance Programme and HASSRA membership; enhanced maternity and shared parental leave after 1 year of continuous service; funded learning and development, qualifications, coaching, mentoring and talent programmes; and access to inclusive networks such as Women’s Network, National Race Network and National Disability Network (THRIVE).

Artificial intelligence notice

Applications may use artificial intelligence as a support tool, but all examples and statements must be truthful, accurate and drawn from the applicant’s own experience. Applications may be withdrawn, and internal candidates may face disciplinary action, if plagiarism or misrepresentation is identified.

Interview guidance

Interviews are designed as a blended conversation rather than a formal interrogation. Candidates should be ready to discuss examples using the WHO or STAR approach, and strengths questions will explore natural preferences, achievements and how these can be applied to the role. Interview dates will be confirmed later.

Additional information

The post is part of the Civil Service recruitment process and appointment is by merit. If a preferred location is unavailable at the point of offer, an alternative location may be suggested. If no suitable option is available and you cannot accept an alternative, you may be placed on a reserve list if one is maintained.

This role requires full-time working, though applicants interested in different patterns may still apply; however, availability cannot be guaranteed and should be discussed with the vacancy holder before applying.