View Vacancy - Head of Private Office (HMTC Europe) and Deputy Chief Operating Officer (DEU26-003309)

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.
Department for Business and Trade roles (DBT)
Department for Business and Trade (DBT)

Who are we?

The British Embassy in Berlin is part of a world‑wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. The Embassy is now looking for a Head of Private Office (HMTC Europe) and Deputy Chief Operating Officer based in Berlin to join Europe's Department for Business and Trade (DBT) team.

DBT Europe is a regional network of around 230 colleagues across 27 countries, working together to deliver against the strategic pillars of the DBT Europe Regional Trade Plan and support the UK’s economic growth. Our teams work closely across borders to provide joined‑up engagement, policy insight and operational delivery.

We aim to be a diverse and inclusive employer, welcoming people from all backgrounds. Our senior leadership is committed to ensuring that we are a supportive and fair place to work. The Germany Network values kindness, inclusivity, honesty, professionalism and responsibility. These values guide how we work on a daily basis, and all staff are expected to uphold them.

What will you do?

As Head of Private Office, you will play a central role in ensuring that DBT Europe operates as a single, integrated regional network. Working closely with the Chief Operating Officer (COO), you will act as a key interface between the Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Europe, DBT Europe teams across the region, and senior stakeholders in ministerial offices and wider Whitehall.

While the COO focuses on equipping the Europe network to deliver against the Regional Trade Plan, your role will focus on equipping and supporting the Trade Commissioner to fulfil their role effectively, particularly in relation to senior engagement, travel, high-quality briefing, communications and prioritisation.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Overseeing and being responsible for the full range of Private Office activities, ensuring high‑quality outputs and effective processes;
  • Working closely with the COO to track and evaluate progress of all Core Office activities, deputising for the COO when required on time‑critical matters;
  • Ensuring the HMTC is fully supported to deliver DBT Europe’s objectives, including through high‑quality briefing and engagement planning, particularly during their travels;
  • Planning and coordinating HMTC's engagements and visits, including with Ministers, Trade Envoys and senior stakeholders, working closely with country teams across Europe;
  • Shaping and preparing HMTC's internal and external communications, including contributions to all‑staff communications and external platforms;
  • Supporting ministerial engagement through summary highlight products, analysis and briefings, drawing on insight from in‑country teams and advising on emerging priorities;
  • Coordinating the preparation of speeches and written products, ensuring they are timely, accurate and appropriate for the occasion;
  • Providing secretariat support to the Europe Senior Leadership Team, from agenda‑setting to ensuring notes are taken and actions followed‑up on;
  • Leading and delivering Private Office ad‑hoc projects and events, including staff events and regional initiatives;
  • Build and develop the team's capabilities through targeted Learning & Development activities;
  • Line‑managing at least one team member, with scope to grow the team over time;
  • Contributing actively to a positive, collaborative and professional work culture across DBT Europe and the Core Office;
  • Any other duties that may reasonably be required in support of the wider work of the Embassy, including crisis work.

The role is based in Berlin and will involve occasional travel across Europe and to the UK.

Why you should apply?

You should consider applying if:

  • You enjoy working close to senior decision‑makers and supporting them to operate effectively;
  • You are energised by pace, responsibility and variety, and can juggle competing priorities with confidence;
  • You like being at the heart of an organisation, connecting people, information and decisions;
  • You value collaboration and want to work in an international, values‑driven environment;
  • You are motivated by the opportunity to develop professionally, with exposure to senior leadership, policy, operations, communications and regional working.

This is a role that offers variety, responsibility and visibility, with the chance to work closely with senior leaders and to see the impact of your work across DBT Europe on a daily basis.

Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity!

Our Ideal Candidate shows: 

  • Fluent English (both written and spoken; minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework*);
  • Good command of German (both written and spoken; minimum of B1 level for CEFR framework*);
  • A minimum of three years’ relevant experience providing private office, executive assistant or personal aide support at senior/executive level;
  • Excellent team‑working skills, with the ability to work collaboratively as part of a Core Office and wider regional team;
  • Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build co‑operative and trusted working relationships at senior level, including with ministerial offices, Director‑General offices and wider Whitehall;
  • Proven experience dealing with and prioritising competing demands, understanding what is critical versus nice‑to‑have, and balancing the need for excellence with simplification and being ‘to the point’;
  • Experience drafting high‑quality written products, such as briefings, summaries or submissions, for senior leaders (often with minimal supervision);
  • Experience leading a small team and/or previous line management experience;
  • Successful design and implementation of small projects, demonstrating determination and creativity;
  • Enthusiasm and commitment, including a willingness to contribute to and support the wider team.

Nice to have: 

  • Experience working in government, including with Ministers and their offices, or in a non‑profit organisation supporting at executive level;
  • Experience working across multiple teams and locations.
Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together
28 April 2026
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
37.5
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Germany
Berlin
British Embassy
EUR
€87,156.00 - rising to a maximum of approx. €97,902.00 - gross per annum after a qualifying period in addition to performance related pay (salary is not negotiable).
yearly
15 June 2026

This is a full time (37,5 hours a week), fixed-term 2 year contract with the possibility of a permanent contract subject to performance and funding. Salary €87,156.00 - rising to a maximum of approx. €97,902.00 - gross per annum after a qualifying period in addition to performance related pay (salary is not negotiable). Candidate must have pre-existing work authorisation in Germany in order to apply.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local German employment law.

Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Germany and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract. Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.

Equal employment: We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or gender identity. We particularly encourage applications from candidates with protected characteristics. DBT Europe and the FCDO Germany Network want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us, regardless of their background.

Learning & Development: The British Embassy Germany and DBT Europe place a strong emphasis on learning and development. The successful candidate will receive a full induction into DBT Europe and the Core Office, as well as the wider British Embassy Germany network.

The Embassy has a strong learning culture, including an annual Learning and Development Week, alongside opportunities throughout the year to attend internal learning activities, external seminars and events on relevant issues. All staff are encouraged to take advantage of the learning offer available and will have a personal development plan to support their ongoing development, with dedicated learning and development funding available.

The successful applicant will also be encouraged to be actively involved in the corporate life of the Embassy, including participation in committee‑led forums and initiatives, contributing to the wider objectives of the British Government’s Germany network and supporting a positive and inclusive working environment.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

Please be advised that the Embassy will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job.

*Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment levels please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.