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Higher Executive Officer (HEO) jobs in the Civil Service

Middle management roles such as project managers and team leaders. Fast Stream trainees join at this grade.

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From live adverts · 11 October 2026

194 live adverts right now, typically paying £36,600 to £41,400 (median £38,300). About 30% say they offer hybrid working.

Recruiting most

Fast Stream and Emerging Talent18
Ministry of Defence16
HM Prison & Probation Service15
HM Courts and Tribunals Service12
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory9
UK Health Security Agency7

Where the jobs are

Most common job types

Behaviours most often assessed

Communicating and Influencing70%
Working Together63%
Making Effective Decisions57%
Managing a Quality Service49%
Delivering at Pace48%

Counts are adverts, not vacancies. Pay uses the midpoint of each advert's range and includes London and national roles. Read from public adverts by automated tools; always check the official advert.

Pay at HEO

Below the Senior Civil Service, each department and agency sets its own pay ranges within a framework the government sets each year, so HEO pay varies by department and often between London and national roles. The salary is always stated in the advert.

Behaviours expected at HEO

These are the behaviours most often assessed in current HEO adverts, with what the official Civil Service Behaviours framework expects for HEO and SEO roles:

Communicating and Influencing (70% of adverts)

Communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging way; give communication a clear purpose suited to the audience; share information and check understanding; deliver important messages respectfully.

Working Together (63% of adverts)

Encourage joined-up teamwork within and across groups; build stakeholder relationships; develop genuine team spirit; put wellbeing support in place; seek input from diverse perspectives.

Making Effective Decisions (57% of adverts)

Understand your level of responsibility and empower others to decide; use credible internal and external information; invite challenge; make difficult decisions confidently, even if unpopular; give strong, timely recommendations.

Managing a Quality Service (49% of adverts)

Develop, implement and review systems and services; set priorities with stakeholders; deliver quality and value for money; resolve risks and issues efficiently; find and respond to customer feedback.

See all nine Civil Service behaviours and how they're assessed.

Applying at HEO

Adverts set out the essential criteria and which Success Profiles elements will be assessed. Many ask for examples of the behaviours listed. Our guides on personal statements and interview questions explain how to prepare.

Sources

Independent information, not official advice. Pay, grades and rules vary by department and change over time, so always check the official job advert.