Civil Service manager

Civil Service managers work in government departments, managing teams that establish policies and provide public services.


Typical Salary

£35,000 – £72,000

per year

Working Hours

37–40

hours per week

Career Area

Functional managers and directors

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Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties will depend on your department.

You could:

  • lead a team to develop policies, products or services
  •  manage stakeholder relationships
  •  make sure policies meet legal guidelines
  •  draft briefings for senior colleagues and ministers
  •  manage contracts and plan resources
  •  oversee communications sent out by the department

Skills needed

  • business management skills 
  • leadership skills
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

How to get into this role

You can get into this job through:

  • working towards this role
  • applying directly
  • a graduate training scheme

Career progression

With experience, you could progress through the senior Civil Service management structure, becoming deputy director or director of a department. You could also become a senior policy adviser or permanent secretary, setting departmental strategy and supporting government ministers.

You could use your management skills and experience to work for other public sector organisations or move into the private sector.