Personal Assistant Central Business Support Team (Business Admin (Level 3) Apprenticeship)

Job summary At the Department for Education (DFE), we are striving for world-class education, training and care for everyone whatever their background. Our ambition is to have a more productive economy, giving everyone the chance to reach their potential and live a more fulfilled life. We work in multi-disciplinary teams using Agile methods to innovate and radically improve services that: Raise education standards and provide the best start in life for children.

Support disadvantaged and vulnerable children and young people. Drive economic growth. Our work and set up is truly end-to-end. We work closely with Ministers and our users on the design of our programmes and policies, through to successful implementation, through our research and analysis, finance and commercial, communications, technical design and programme management. Working in Private Office is really rewarding and a fun place to work, but you will need to be resilient to the challenges that arise.

To be successful, you must be able to build networks across all levels and communicate effectively in writing and verbally. You will be empowered to make decisions and so must demonstrate excellent judgement in the face of uncertainty, competing views and demands. This is an exciting and stretching role with significant developmental opportunities. The Personal Assistant is responsible for complex diary management, meeting coordination, travel arrangements, correspondence management, document preparation, stakeholder engagement, and supporting the delivery of key business activities.

The role also acts as a central point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, helping to maintain effective communication and operational continuity. Job description Work as part of a central Business Support Team, providing flexible support and cover for colleagues during periods of absence, peak workloads, or business priorities. Build strong relationships across the team to ensure continuity of support to senior leaders and maintain a high-quality service, adapting quickly to changing demands and priorities.

You will anticipate and solve problems before they arise and liaise frequently with senior colleagues and external stakeholders. The varied role will include: electronic diary and email management, drafting correspondence, and administrative support. You will be an excellent communicator with strong organisational skills. You will need to juggle a busy and rapidly changing schedule, staying one step ahead in thinking about the needs and commitments of the Deputy Directors.

Work as part of a central Business Support Team, providing flexible support and cover for colleagues during periods of absence, peak workloads, or business priorities. Build strong relationships across the team to ensure continuity of support to senior leaders and maintain a high-quality service, adapting quickly to changing demands and priorities. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: Manage Director/Deputy Director's diary on a day-to-day basis and organise meetings as requested.

Strategic management of diaries to identify busy periods in the business cycle and monitor their inbox(s) for diary-related emails. Understand the objectives of meetings and prioritise against conflicting requirements. Handle sensitive information in a confidential manner and manage the Director / Deputy Director's inbox to prioritise work effectively. Work with leads across the finance function to coordinate ministerial correspondence, ensuring the necessary approvals have been completed and that the statutory deadlines are met.

Secretariat to Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and/or board meetings as required, maintain a forward plan of agenda items, draft agendas, commission papers and circulate in good time. Attend the meetings, drafting accurate minutes and actions, track progress against actions. Prepare meeting papers for the Director / Deputy Director, ensure they have all information required for all mee