Chief of Staff

Infected Blood Compensation Authority; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental body in Newcastle upon Tyne is seeking a Principal Advisor to provide strategic guidance and support to the CEO. The role involves managing a Private Office team and ensuring effective governance and stakeholder relationships. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in strategic leadership and public sector experience. This full-time position offers a flexible working pattern and aims to assist those affected by the infected blood scandal.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to provide high-quality strategic advice.
• Track record in developing and empowering high-performing teams.
• Deep experience with senior governance bodies and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide high‑quality strategic guidance to the CEO.
• Manage and develop the Private Office across locations.
• Steer IBCA's strategy and delivery.

Skills

Strategic guidance

Stakeholder management

Governance

Risk management

Team leadership

Job description

Infected Blood Compensation Authority provided pay range

This range is provided by Infected Blood Compensation Authority. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

Location: Glasgow or Newcastle. Based in Benton Park View in Newcastle, moving to Newcastle City Centre in Summer 2026 or our Glasgow office currently at Atlantic Square.

Working Pattern: Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Compressed hours

The IBCA premium allowance is an extra payment in addition to the spot rate that will be paid to employees on IBCA terms and conditions at Levels 1-8. It exists to recognise that employment with IBCA will be time‑limited.

The premium allowance rate is set at 7.5% of the spot rate and applies to the spot rate only. It is an annual allowance that will be paid monthly with salary.

On completion of probation, employees will become eligible to receive the allowance which is non‑pensionable and non‑contractual. Non‑contractual means employees on IBCA terms and conditions do not have a contractual right to receive the payment. It can be increased, decreased or removed at IBCA’s discretion.>

Job summary

The Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) is a new arm’s‑length body set up, at unprecedented pace, to administer compensation to people whose lives have been impacted by the infected blood scandal.

IBCA will ensure payment is made in recognition of the wrongs experienced by those who have been infected by HIV, Hepatitis B or C, as well as those who love and care for them. They have been frustrated and distressed by the delays in achieving proper recognition, and we must help put this right.

We are committed to putting the infected and affected blood community at the centre of every decision we make and every step we take to build our organisation to deliver compensation payments.

IBCA employees are public servants

When successful you will be appointed directly into IBCA, on IBCA terms and conditions as a public servant. Successful applicants will join the Civil Service Pension Scheme.

Please note that the mission of IBCA means that it is likely to be fully operational for a period of approximately 5-7 years, after which IBCA will become a smaller residual service. When IBCA’s work begins to wind down, IBCA employees will receive support and practical guidance to find a new role, whether in the Civil Service, another Arms Length Body (ALB), or an external employer.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Principal Advisor to the CEO: provide high‑quality strategic guidance across all responsibilities; distil complex information rapidly; support critical decision‑making and help communicate the CEO’s views to relevant colleagues and external partners.
• Private Office leadership: manage and develop the Private Office (approx. 30 staff) across locations; set priorities, drive performance and professional standards, recruit and develop capability, and improve efficiency and service excellence.
• Strategy, governance and delivery: steer IBCA’s strategy and delivery as a member of the Executive Committee; monitor progress, identify opportunities and risks, and ensure delivery against priorities.
• Governance and communications: ensure robust governance, produce timely information for the Board and Executive Committee, and coordinate communications with Ministers, Cabinet Office and other government departments; represent the CEO in appropriate forums.
• Stakeholder management: build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including Ministers, Cabinet Office colleagues, other government departments, the Board and external partners.
• External representation: brief and equip the CEO for engagements; represent the CEO at meetings as required; work with other government departments and the infected and affected blood community.
• Financial and resource stewardship: oversee the staffing and resources of the Private Office and contribute to the overall financial health of IBCA; ensure value for money and robust governance of resources (including the £12.5bn compensation budget).
• Risk, privacy and integrity: make delegated executive decisions on behalf of the CEO when authorised; handle sensitive personnel matters with confidentiality and integrity; demonstrate political sensitivity and good judgement in high‑profile contexts.
• Culture and organisational development: promote an inclusive, outcome‑focused culture; champion professional development and organisational effectiveness, ensuring IBCA’s values are reflected in day‑to‑day operations.
• Victim‑centred delivery and public service ethos: ensure the organisation remains focused on the needs of those eligible for compensation, delivering a fair, transparent and timely process.

Person specification

• Proven ability to provide high‑quality strategic advice to Senior officials, distil complex information rapidly, and support critical decision‑making at pace.
• Track record of developing, empowering and retaining high‑performing teams, driving professional standards, and delivering service excellence.
• Deep experience working with senior governance bodies (Board, Executive Committee) and communicating with a variety of stakeholders.
• Proven delivery experience in large‑scale, complex programmes, with strong risk and issue management.
• Track record of handling high‑profile, sensitive personnel matters, and maintaining confidentiality and integrity under public scrutiny.
• Demonstrable experience at Chief of Staff, Head of Private Office, or an equivalent senior level role within a large, complex organisation.

Application Process

To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application process, outlined below via the CS Jobs website. This should be completed no later than 23:55, 14th December 2025.

1. A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.

2. A Statement of Suitability (no longer than 1000 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification. Please click here for more information: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/how-to-write-your-ps/

Failure to complete both sections of the online application form (CV and Statement of Suitability) will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification.

As part of the online application process, you will be asked a number of diversity‑related questions. If you do not wish to provide a declaration on any of the particular characteristics, you will have the option to select 'prefer not to say’.

Should you encounter any issues with your online application please get in touch with us via: [e-mail]

Indicative Timeline

• Advert Close Date: 14th December 2025 at 23:55.
• Shortlist: Week commencing 5th January 2025
• Assessment: Week commencing 19th January 2026
• Interview: Week commencing 9th February 2026

Seniority level

• Director

Employment type

• Full‑time

Job function

• Other, Strategy/Planning, and Administrative

Industries

• Government Administration