Head of Office

This is a challenging, high-profile and rewarding role as Head of the CEO Office in the UK Space Agency. The post holder will take on a significant leadership role both within Private Office and in the wider Agency, leading a high-performing team to deliver the CEO and Chair’s priorities.
The UK Space Agency office is changing with a greater array of senior engagement, change and support required than ever before. Alongside the SCS2 CEO, the UK Space Agency Chair and SCS2 Deputy CEOs are actively championing space across government, the sector and to the public., The Head of the CEO’s Office will lead the private office support to the CEO and wider support to Directors across the Agency. This will include:
+ Take responsibility for the smooth operational running of the CEO’s office, leading a team of diary secretary and executive assistants to support the work of the CEO, DCEOs and Chair and grow their relationships with the Sector, Department and Ministers.
+ Leading the provision of wider PA service across the Agency to support the smooth running of the 8 Directors and Directorates. Alongside managing a team of 11, this role will be responsible for evolving the team and service functions as part of the Agency Transformation Programme.
+ Substantial engagement with senior leaders and their staff across the space sector, alongside line management and change management responsibilities.
+ Provide high quality advice and support to the CEO and DCEOS in relation to internal issues backed up by accurate, perceptive insights, and well considered recommendations, to drive forward their priorities

Person specification
The role will include overseeing all aspects of private office arrangements within the UK Space Agency. This includes the provision of briefing, event support, diary management, advice on key issues and direct engagement with stakeholders on behalf of the chair, CEO and DCEOs. The role holder is expected to manage others to provide these services or delivery them directly on occasions, alongside developing the capability of the CEO office team.
The person specification includes:
+ Leading a team in a pressured working environment. You will be responsible for building and sustaining a high-performing, inclusive and resilient team of executive assistants, personal assistants and diary managers.
+ Leading on and taking responsibility for the CEO and DCEO’s priorities. Working with the Chief of Staff you will be responsible for ensuring their priorities are understood and translated into concrete actions, setting clear action on their behalf.
+ Advising and briefing the CEO – working with Agency teams to provides the effective and cohesive advice, often to tight deadlines, with the capability and credibility to provide your own advice in support.
+ Leading planning and support to itineraries for UK Space Agency senior leaders attending major conferences or events, nationally and internationally.
+ Building strong working relationships with the rest of Agency, colleagues in DSIT private offices, Senior Civil Servants, Sector stakeholders and more.
+ Setting the strategic direction for the Private Office and to develop fit for purpose processes and ways of working
+ Acting as a corporate leader within the Private Office - helping to develop the right culture and behaviours and to ensure that teams are resourced and supported to do well in their roles, We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Making Effective Decisions
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Managing a Quality Service
+ Delivering at Pace, UK Space Agency is undergoing a transformation programme which may impact your role, line manager and/or location in the future. We will share more details with you as they become known.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV, Personal Statement (500 words maximum) and Behaviour examples. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
The CV is for information and will not be scored.
Please use your personal statement to explain how your skills and experience make you suitable for this role.
The Sift will be assessed on Personal Statement and Behaviours.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
The Interview will be assessed on Behaviours.
Sift and interview dates
Expected Timeline subject to change
The sift is expected to take place from 18th November 2024
Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 9th -13th December 2024
The Interview location will be on MS Teams
Candidates are asked to note the above timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process.
Further information .
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
+ Contact Government Recruitment Service via uksarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
+ Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.
The UK Space Agency will not be able fund any travel or subsistence for candidates.
Any move to UK Space Agency from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service/Disclosure Scotland on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms directly. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

+ Experience of working as a personal assistant or equivalent
+ Experience of coordinating activity at major events
+ Line management experience
+ Strong organisational skills, including attention to detail
+ Strong stakeholder management skills

The UK Space Agency (UKSA) is an executive agency of the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) and provides technical advice on the government’s space strategy, supporting the UK space sector to deliver the government’s vision.
Space is a part of everyday life. Satellites underpin our national economy, from agriculture and banking to aviation and shipping, and support our national security. Space science provides critical data to understand and address global challenges such as climate change, while missions to explore our solar system unite nations and advance humanity’s horizons.
We support a thriving space sector in the UK, which generates an annual income of £16.5 billion and employs 47,000 people across the country.
Through our portfolio of programmes and projects, we encourage the development of national space capabilities and are an early-stage investor in space research and development. We also promote the UK space sector’s interests and achievements; make connections to join up industry and academia; and represent the UK in international space programmes.
We have a powerful global voice, partnering with institutions across the world, including the European Space Agency.
More information about the Agency is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-space-agency
To discover more please watch this film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbZZ-o0IkVU
Our Inclusive Environment
We have an inclusive culture to make UK Space Agency a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because it will help us be more innovative and make better decisions
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We offer first-class flexible working benefits, excellent employee well-being support and a great pension. We are fortunate to have a range of excellent staff networks and are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We will support talented people from all backgrounds to build a career and thrive.
We actively welcome applications from anyone who shares our commitment to inclusion.

Alongside your salary of £52,320, UK Space Agency contributes £15,157 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
UK Space Agency offers a competitive mix of benefits including:
+ A culture of flexible working, such as job sharing, homeworking and compressed hours.
+ Automatic enrolment into the Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%.
+ A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
+ An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities, which all staff are actively encouraged to pursue.
+ Access to a range of retail, travel, and lifestyle employee discounts.
+ A generous maternity/paternity and adoption leave package.
+ This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is an informal, non-contractual and voluntary arrangement, blending a balance of attendance in the workplace (your permanent duty station which is based on business assessment of where the work is best done) and working from home, or elsewhere, as a personal choice (if the role is suitable for this). If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.
+ The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.