Private Secretary to CDIO and CTO

Job Introduction

We’re looking for an exceptional Private Secretary to the Chief Data Information Officer (CDIO) and Chief Technical Officer (CTO) to help us make a difference to our planet.

As our Private Secretary to the CDIO and CTO, the job may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in the office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and the location advertised will be your contractual place of work.

Our opportunity is full time, 37 hours per week, but we would also consider applicants wishing to work a minimum of 30 hours per week and we will also try our best to consider those intending to work a job share.  Our people are at the heart of what we do and we'll do our best to agree a working pattern that works for everyone.

World changing work

From science to technology, from meteorology to management, and from planning to communication, our expertise helps us stand out as the authority on weather accuracy and climate prediction. We help individuals, industries and government to make better decisions to stay safe and thrive. This is the Met Office. This is who we are.

• We’re a force for good - focusing on our environmental and social impact
• We’re experts by nature - always learning and developing to do things better
• We live and breathe it - putting our purpose at the heart of decision-making
• We’re better together - understanding partnerships and inclusivity make us greater
• We keep evolving - pushing boundaries to make tomorrow better for our customers

Your world of expertise

You will:

• Ensure the CDIO & CTO are adequately briefed on all major issues and emerging problems, anticipating areas of scrutiny, highlighting issues and potential solutions to enable effective outcomes.
• Establish and maintain effective collaborative relationships with the support offices of key stakeholders, e.g. Microsoft and other key suppliers, UK Government, to ensure appropriate flow of information with the Met Office and other organisations.
• Draft briefings, papers and presentations for and with the CDIO & CTO, and advise on and coordinate content for visits with external stakeholders.
• Lead special projects on behalf of the CDIO & CTO to develop plans and strategies, and further corporate objectives. Ensure that crosslinks between key activities are established and maintained.
• Work with the Technology SLT to assist in the activities of the Directorate and its alignment across the wider Met Office.
• Support with management of the Future Technology Principal Fellows.
• To work with various stakeholders to deliver the strategy, plans and performance updates for Technology, including risk management and Key Performance Indicators, assisting with the formulation of Technology’s long-term direction.
• Attend meetings and accompany the CDIO & CTO on external visits as necessary, ensuring the CDIO & CTO are briefed and provided with advice as required. Minute meetings as necessary.

Why join us

Our work is life-changing, often life-saving and always life-enhancing. The Met Office is accredited as a 'Great Place to Work UK 2023' and in addition has achieved a place on both the UK's 'Best Workplaces in Tech' and 'Best Workplaces for Women' lists.

As our Private Secretary to CDIO and CTO, your total reward package will be up to £57,639 annually, which includes:

• £41,725 base pay, rising to £45,257 over time.
• An outstanding Civil Service pension, with an average employer contribution of 27%.
• Annual Leave starting at 27.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) rising to 32.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) after 5 years and option to buy or sell up to 5 days per year of annual leave.
• Relocation Assistance may be available.

 Whilst this is a temporary position for 2 years, there is potential for it to develop into a permanent position.

Essential Criteria, skills and experience:

1. Better together - Good networking skills with experience of building and maintaining stakeholder relationships to deliver organisational benefits.  
2. Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to summarise large sources of information in a paper, presenting options and making recommendations.
3. Expert by nature - Experience of working in the technology domain , with good understanding of business analysis, risk management and supplier management.
4. Excellent analytical skills, with ability to investigate and lead projects, using analytical thinking to make recommendations and link various strands of work to see the ‘big picture’.
5. Ability to work autonomously and with discretion, and prioritise effectively, working well under pressure and to tight deadlines.

How to apply

If you share our values, we’d love to hear from you. Apply below using your CV and a Supporting Statement with evidence against each of the essential criteria. We recommend candidates use the CARL method (Context, Action, Result and Learning) for presenting evidence of experience and skills.

Closing date 24/03/2024 at 23:59 with interviews commencing from 08/05/2024. You will hear from us once the closing date has passed.

How we can help

If you are considering applying and need support to do so, please contact us via careers@metoffice.gov.uk . You can request adjustments either within your application or by contacting us. Should you be offered an interview, please be aware there may be a selection exercise which could include a presentation, written test or a scenario-based activity. You can select in your application to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme. To be invited to interview/assessment under this scheme, your application must meet the essential criteria for the role.

We understand that great minds don’t always think alike and as an equal opportunities employer we welcome applications from those with all protected characteristics. We recruit on merit, fairness, and open competition in line with the Civil Service Code.

We can only accept applications from those eligible to live and work in the UK - please refer to GOV.UK for information. We require Security clearance, for which you need to have resided in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years to be eligible. You will need to achieve full security clearance within your first 6 months with us.