Private Secretary to the ED - People Directorate
Bank of EnglandThe People directorate is here to shape the Bank’s people strategy, provide information, help and advice to colleagues and line managers to thrive in their roles, and to deliver important people services across the Bank.
The People directorate comprises approximately 140 colleagues. The directorate is made up of five teams: People, Strategy and Insights (PS&I), People Advisory and Operations (PASO), Reward & Wellbeing, and the Executive Director (ED) Office. The People directorate is focused on making the Bank an even better place to work—by improving how we support, develop, and retain our people. Over the next year, our priorities include reviewing our pay frameworks, supporting change, delivering diversity, equity and inclusion commitments, improving performance and career development approach, and modernising systems and processes to better serve colleagues.
The role holder will gain a broad and unique insight into key, high-profile people priorities for the Bank. The People directorate ED is a frequent attendee at Executive and Non-Executive level committees (including Executive Operational Coordination Committee (EOCC); Executive Policy Coordination Committee (EPCC); and the Executive Risk Committee (ERC); Court, Audit and Risk Committee (ARCo), Nominations Committee (NomCo) and Remuneration Committee (RemCo)), which are central to Bank governance. The post holder will also gain a unique insight into how the Bank’s senior and executive leadership team agree and execute operational policy decisions which directly impact colleagues across the Bank. Liaising with other Private Offices and colleagues from across the Bank, the Private Secretary, working with the rest of the ED Office, will lead on supporting the ED on high profile Governor and executive level engagement. The office is very busy with a mixture of reactive, often urgent and sensitive, as well as proactive/strategic thought pieces and projects.
The jobholder’s main responsibilities will be to ensure the effective and efficient functioning of the ED and the ED Office; to deliver ongoing or specific assignments as needed by the Executive Director, often by engaging with People Leadership Team (PLT) and teams from within the directorate; and liaise with colleagues across the organisation to support effective decision making.
The role is ideally suited to someone who can work on their own initiative, is comfortable dealing with ambiguity, and is able to manage and work closely with complex and senior stakeholder relationships. As providers of specialist and key services for everyone in the Bank, the majority of the directorate’s priorities are cross-Bank, and the role holder will need strong collaboration skills and knowledge of the Bank’s structure and governance. And given the sensitivity of the subject matter, you will be expected to maintain the highest standards of integrity and confidentiality at all times.
Main Responsibilities:
• Supporting the ED by driving forward strategic and long-term internal directorate and business facing people projects.
• Ensuring the ED office runs efficiently, facilitating the directorate’s work, including monitoring and fielding queries received in the ED office; role model the use of digital tools in the execution of work.
• Leading strategic prioritisation within the ED office – focussing the ED’s time on what matters most.
• Supporting the ED to engage effectively as a member of the Bank’s executive leadership and committees. This includes working with the People Leadership Team to manage the forward committee planner and drafting and reviewing committee papers, briefings and other key documents.
• Promoting positive workplace engagement within the directorate including championing and role modelling best practice, encouraging collaboration and knowledge sharing, championing diversity and inclusion initiatives, and helping to build a sense of community.
• Ensure the directorate is linked to the rest of the Bank by managing relationships with the operational offices, secretariats, other Central Services departments, senior and executive offices, and business areas of the Bank.
• Supporting the Executive Director to manage the effectiveness of the People Leadership team, including how and when they meet, ensuring agendas are purposeful, actions are tracked, and time is used strategically to drive directorate priorities.
• Actively share information with other areas and key stakeholders, particularly the People Leadership Team, and keep up-to-date with relevant issues for the People directorate
• Coordinate all people related Freedom of Information (FOI) requests and a member of the FOI policy team.
This is a people management role. You will be responsible for day to day management of the team and for defining roles and responsibilities. You will develop your team through sharing information effectively, coaching and communicating a clear vision to ensure that your staff are productive, engaged and motivated to deliver the area's aims. This will include setting clear goals and smart stretching objectives that are aligned to those of the team, division and directorate. You will also be responsible for managing all staff-related matters that may arise including performance, absence and sickness.
Role Requirements:
Minimum Criteria
• Excellent organisational skills, maximising the use of digital tools. You will need to help the ED balance numerous responsibilities and prioritise. Comfortable navigating shifting priorities and maintaining structure in a fast-moving Private Office environment.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to process large volumes of information at pace, distil key messages, and organise content clearly. You will need to produce concise and targeted analysis and communications—often under time pressure. This includes drafting briefings, notes, and correspondence that are well-structured, accurate, and aligned with Bank messaging.
• Strong communicator with a track record of building trusted relationships across senior and cross-functional stakeholders. Evidence of skills in managing sensitive conversations with tact, empathy and resilience, supporting others through change and challenges.
• Discretion and ability to handle sensitive information and personal data appropriately on a regular basis.
• Evidence of an approach to people management which improves diversity, creates an inclusive culture, and motivates teams with a variety of different backgrounds to bring out the best in and developing the talents of each individual. Experience managing employee-related matters that may arise including development, performance and absence.
Essential Criteria
• An understanding of the role a Private Secretary plays, Bank structures, and governance.
• Strong judgement in identifying what matters most, particularly when balancing competing demands. Able to assess urgency and importance effectively to support the Executive Director in managing a dynamic workload.
• A understanding of Human Resource principles and a personal commitment to see the directorate recognised as a centre of expertise that adds real value to the Bank.
Desirable Criteria
• Prior knowledge of Central Services or head office/corporate functions is desirable, however not essential; you should demonstrate an ability to learn quickly.
• Strong understanding of and/or interest in the Bank’s business.
Our Approach to Inclusion
The Bank values diversity, equity and inclusion. We play a key role in maintaining monetary and financial stability, and to do that effectively, we believe we need a workforce that reflects the society we serve.
At the Bank of England, we want all colleagues to feel valued and respected, so we're working hard to build an inclusive culture which supports people from all backgrounds and communities to be at their best at work. We celebrate all forms of diversity, including (but not limited to) age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. We believe that it’s by drawing on different perspectives and experiences that we’ll continue to make the best decisions for the public.
We welcome applications from individuals who work flexibly, including job shares and part time working patterns. We've also partnered with external organisations to support us in making adjustments for candidates and employees in the recruitment process where they're needed.
For most roles where work can be carried out at home, we aim for colleagues to spend half of their time in the office, with a minimum of 40% per month. Subject to that minimum requirement, individuals and managers should work together to find what works best for them, their team and stakeholders.
Finally, we're proud to be a member of the Disability Confident Scheme. If you wish to apply under this scheme, you should check the box in the ‘Candidate Personal Information’ under the ‘Disability Confident Scheme’ section of the application.
Salary and Benefits Information
We encourage flexible working, part time working and job share arrangements. Part time salary and benefits will be on a pro-rated basis as appropriate.
This role offers a salary of circa £60,720 - £66,000. In addition, we also offer a comprehensive benefits package as detailed below:
- Currently a non-contributory, career average pension giving you a guaranteed retirement benefit of 1/80th of your annual salary for every year worked. There is the option to increase your pension (to 1/65th) or decrease (to 1/105th) in exchange for salary through our flexible benefits programme each year. The Bank has the discretion to vary standard accrual rates and dial up and dial down rates at any time and to withdraw dial up and dial down options at any time.
- A discretionary performance award based on a current award pool.
- An 8% benefits allowance with the option to take as salary or purchase a wide range of flexible benefits.
- 26 days’ annual leave with option to buy up to 12 additional days through flexible benefits.
- Private medical insurance and income protection.
National Security Vetting Process
Employment in this role will be subject to the National Security Vetting clearance process (and typically can take between 6 to 12 weeks post offer) and the passing of additional Bank security checks in accordance with the Bank policy. Further information regarding the vetting and security clearance requirements for the role will be provided to the successful applicant, and information about how the Bank processes personal data for these purposes, is set out in the Bank's Privacy Notice.
The Bank of England welcomes applications from all candidates, but as a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) approved sponsor, we have a responsibility to comply with the Immigration Rules and guidance. As such, our ability to employ individuals who require sponsorship for immigration purposes is limited. The Bank cannot guarantee that you and / or the role you are applying for will be eligible for sponsorship and that any application made to UKVI will be successful. Eligibility will therefore be considered on a case by case basis.
The Application Process
Important: Please ensure that you complete the ‘work history’ section and answer ALL the application questions fully. All candidate applications are anonymised to ensure that our hiring managers will not be able to see your personal information, including your CV, when reviewing your application details at the screening stage. It’s therefore really important that you fill out the work history and application form questions, as your answers will form a critical part of the initial selection process.
The assessment process will comprise of two interview stages. The first stage will commence the week beginning 17 November 2025.
This role closes on 5 November 2025.
Please apply online, ensuring that you complete your work history and answer ALL the application questions fully and in detail as your application will not be considered if all mandatory questions are not fully completed.