Difference between heo and seo civil service

To really understand the difference between a Higher Executive Officer HEO and a Senior Executive Officer SEO in the UK Civil Service, you need to think about it like climbing a career ladder – they’re both significant rungs, but one is definitely a step up from the other in terms of responsibility, influence, and yes, even your paycheck. If you’re looking at a career in the Civil Service, grasping these distinctions is absolutely key for planning your progression.

The UK Civil Service uses a clear grading structure to define seniority, responsibilities, and pay, and the HEO and SEO grades sit firmly in the middle management tier. While both are crucial for the day-to-day running of government, an SEO role typically involves a greater degree of leadership, strategic input, and autonomy compared to an HEO. It’s not just about doing more work. it’s about a different kind of work – often with a broader scope and higher stakes.

Many people enter the Civil Service at an Executive Officer EO or even Administrative Officer AO level and then aim for HEO, which then sets them up for an SEO position. These two grades, in fact, make up the largest group within the Civil Service, with 151,680 officials at SEO/HEO grades in 2024, accounting for 31% of the entire Civil Service workforce. So, if you’re working at these levels, you’re in good company, playing a vital role in delivering public services and shaping government policy.

What is an HEO in the Civil Service?

So, let’s kick things off with the HEO, or Higher Executive Officer. Think of an HEO as a solid middle manager. These are the folks who are typically leading smaller teams, running projects, and generally making sure that policies and services get delivered effectively. They’re hands-on, often bridging the gap between junior staff and more senior decision-makers.

If you’re an HEO, you’re probably getting a good amount of responsibility, but usually within a well-defined scope. You might be managing teams of administrative staff AOs and EOs, doing some data analysis, putting together reports for your manager, and generally helping out your junior colleagues grow. You could also be involved in managing a specific budget or chipping in to review and draft policies.

I’ve heard people on forums like Reddit describe HEO roles as being really varied, depending on the department, the specific profession you’re in, and even the directorate. One HEO might be a casework manager, while another in IT could be a developer without any line management duties at all. What unites them is that they’re generally focused on implementing policy rather than crafting it from scratch.

The HEO grade is often the highest level at which staff are regularly recruited into general administrative roles in the Civil Service, making it a common entry point for those with some prior experience or who are looking to step up from an EO role. It’s a fantastic place to build up your management skills, get a handle on project delivery, and show you can take on more complex tasks.

What is an SEO in the Civil Service?

Now, let’s move up to the SEO, the Senior Executive Officer. If the HEO is a capable middle manager, the SEO is definitely a more seasoned and strategic player. SEOs are mid-level management roles who are typically running projects and managing teams, but they’re doing it with a deeper level of experience and often acting as role models for Civil Service behaviours.

When you’re an SEO, you’re not just executing. you’re often leading the development of policies, products, or services. You’ll likely be managing important stakeholder relationships, putting together detailed briefings for senior colleagues and even ministers, and taking the lead on reviewing and managing risks. You’re making recommendations about policy or business changes, deciding what needs to be prioritised, and managing contracts and resources.

One of the key distinctions I’ve seen mentioned on places like Reddit is that an HEO might be responsible for a specific submission, but an SEO would be in charge of the whole theme, like planning and running a consultation to change a policy, where that submission is just a small piece of the puzzle. This means SEOs need to demonstrate “bigger picture thinking” and leadership in all their work, not just in specific leadership roles. You’ll be comfortable speaking with senior leaders, acting as a link between them and the HEOs or AOs.

Basically, an SEO takes on more significant responsibility and risk, often being the one who makes suggestions in high-level meetings rather than just preparing briefs for their manager to take to those meetings. They are expected to hit the ground running, with examples of experience that are very close to the job role they’re applying for.

Key Differences: HEO vs. SEO Civil Service

Alright, let’s break down the core differences between an HEO and an SEO in the Civil Service. It’s not just about a fancy job title. it’s about a real shift in what’s expected of you, the impact you make, and where you sit in the hierarchy.

1. Seniority and Grade Hierarchy

The most straightforward difference is seniority. In the Civil Service grading structure, SEO is a step above HEO. The typical progression looks something like:

• Administrative Assistant AA / Administrative Officer AO
• Executive Officer EO
• Higher Executive Officer HEO
• Senior Executive Officer SEO
• Grade 7 G7
• Grade 6 G6
• Senior Civil Service SCS

So, if you’re an HEO, you’re looking up to SEOs, and if you’re an SEO, you’re usually reporting to a Grade 7 or higher.

2. Scope of Responsibility and Autonomy

This is where things really diverge. HEOs are typically responsible for delivering specific pieces of work or managing smaller, more contained projects and teams. They focus on implementation and execution within established guidelines. They might be responsible for individual tasks or elements of a larger project.

SEOs, on the other hand, usually have a broader, more strategic remit. They’re often responsible for entire workstreams, leading the development of new policies or services from conception through to delivery. They’re expected to take on more complex work, manage more significant risks, and have a deeper understanding of the “big picture” – how their work fits into wider departmental or governmental objectives. They’re more likely to be involved in high-level decision-making for business planning, policy implementation, and strategy development.

3. Leadership and Management Expectations

Both grades involve leadership and management, but the nature of it changes.

• HEO Leadership: An HEO might lead a small team of EOs and AOs, managing their day-to-day tasks, supporting their development, and ensuring project milestones are met. They act as a team leader or project manager for specific initiatives. Their line management responsibilities are more focused on direct oversight and operational delivery.
• SEO Leadership: An SEO’s leadership is typically more strategic and influential. They lead teams to develop new initiatives, manage relationships with a wider range of stakeholders including more senior external contacts, and are responsible for coaching and mentoring more junior staff, including HEOs. They’re expected to model Civil Service behaviours and might manage larger, more complex teams or multiple workstreams.

4. Influence and Decision-Making

• HEO Influence: HEOs make significant contributions to decision-making, especially in their specific areas of work. They might gather data, prepare reports, and make recommendations to their SEO or G7 manager. They are often instrumental in bringing policy to life but generally don’t set the strategic direction.
• SEO Influence: SEOs have a more direct hand in shaping policy and strategy. They draft briefings for senior colleagues and ministers, make recommendations on policy changes, and are often the ones directly interacting with senior stakeholders to influence outcomes. They contribute significantly to high-level decision-making. They might even challenge senior leadership constructively.

5. Skill Set Focus

While many skills overlap, the emphasis shifts:

• HEO Skills: Strong organisational skills, project management, data analysis, report writing, team supervision, and effective communication are key. You’re building your expertise and developing your ability to lead.
• SEO Skills: These include all the HEO skills, plus advanced stakeholder management, strategic thinking, risk management, policy development, influencing, and confident communication with senior leaders. You’re expected to be able to “hit the ground running” with your experience. You’re thinking about the longer-term impact and broader implications of your work.

6. Salary Expectations

Unsurprisingly, SEOs typically earn more than HEOs, reflecting the increased responsibility and seniority. The actual figures can vary quite a bit depending on the department, location London salaries are often higher to account for living costs, and the specific role.

Based on recent figures:

• HEO National Minimum Salary: In 2024, Defra listed a national minimum salary of £32,136 for an HEO. The Office for National Statistics ONS in 2022 showed a national salary band from £31,055 to £35,286. More recent 2025 data from a government source indicated a national starting salary of £34,075.
• SEO National Minimum Salary: For SEOs, Defra in 2024 listed a national minimum of £39,439. ONS in 2022 showed a national salary band from £37,688 to £42,519. The same 2025 government data put the national starting salary at £41,364.

To give you an idea of progression, the Ministry of Defence MOD also provides minimum pay grades: for HEO, it’s £35,290, and for SEO, it’s £43,080, as of August 2023. A 2024/25 pay award in the Home Office saw national HEOs receive a 9.1% rise and national SEOs an 8% rise, showing continued investment in these key grades. These figures highlight a clear jump in earning potential as you move from HEO to SEO.

Career Progression: From HEO to SEO and Beyond

If you’re currently an HEO or aspiring to be one, moving up to SEO is a very common and logical next step. It’s not just about spending enough time in a grade. it’s about actively developing the skills and demonstrating the behaviours required for the more senior role.

To progress from HEO to SEO, you’ll want to focus on:

• Building Broader Experience: Look for opportunities to take on work that has a wider impact or involves more complex problem-solving. This could mean volunteering for cross-departmental projects or leading initiatives that require engagement with various stakeholders.
• Developing Leadership Skills: Actively seek out chances to lead not just tasks, but people. Mentor junior colleagues, take the lead in team meetings, and demonstrate how you can motivate and guide others. The Civil Service’s “Success Profiles” framework emphasizes behaviours like ‘Leadership’ and ‘Communicating and Influencing’ at the HEO and SEO levels.
• Strategic Thinking: Start thinking beyond your immediate tasks. How does your work contribute to the department’s wider goals? How might policy changes impact different groups? Show that you can anticipate challenges and propose solutions. This “seeing the big picture” is crucial for an SEO.
• Confidence with Senior Stakeholders: As an SEO, you’ll be interacting more directly with senior leaders, both internally and externally. Practice presenting your ideas clearly and confidently, even when they might be challenging or unpopular.
• Ownership and Risk Management: At the SEO level, you’re expected to take greater ownership of outcomes and be proactive in identifying and mitigating risks.

Some people move from HEO to SEO quite quickly, even within a year, if they can demonstrate the right competencies and opportunities arise. For example, someone at BEIS now DSIT started as an HEO in May 2022 and moved into an SEO role by February 2023. It really depends on your department, your performance, and the availability of roles. Many departments offer training and development opportunities to help you bridge the gap between grades.

After SEO, the next steps on the Civil Service ladder are Grade 7 G7 and Grade 6 G6, eventually leading to the Senior Civil Service SCS. Each step brings further increases in responsibility, strategic influence, and, of course, salary. For instance, a G7 national minimum salary can be around £52,120, and a G6 around £62,605. The path is there for those willing to develop and take on more.

A Human Touch: What it Feels Like

It’s easy to get lost in the official definitions and salary bands, but what does the jump from HEO to SEO feel like? Many current and former civil servants describe it as a significant shift in mindset. As an HEO, you’re often focused on the ‘how’ – how to deliver a project, how to implement a policy. As an SEO, you start dealing more with the ‘what’ and ‘why’ – what policies should we be pursuing, why are we doing it this way, and what are the wider implications?

The pressure often increases at SEO because you’re more accountable for outcomes and strategic direction. You’re also more likely to be involved in conversations where there isn’t a clear-cut answer, requiring you to use your judgment and experience to navigate complex situations. It’s less about ticking boxes and more about shaping the boxes themselves.

It’s also worth remembering that the Civil Service values continuous learning and development. Regardless of your grade, you’ll be encouraged to grow your skills, take on new challenges, and look for ways to improve public service delivery. The journey from HEO to SEO is just one part of a rewarding career path where you can truly make a difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does SEO mean for a Senior Executive Officer?

In the context of the UK Civil Service, SEO stands for Senior Executive Officer, which is a specific grade within the government’s hierarchical structure. It’s a mid-level management role that involves significant responsibility, leadership of teams and projects, and strategic input into policy and service delivery. This is distinct from “Search Engine Optimization” also abbreviated as SEO which relates to digital marketing strategies.

What is an HEO in the Civil Service UK?

An HEO, or Higher Executive Officer, is a middle management grade within the UK Civil Service. HEOs are typically responsible for managing teams of administrative staff, leading projects, conducting data analysis, preparing reports, managing budgets, and assisting in the development and implementation of policies and services. They play a crucial role in delivering government objectives.

Is SEO higher than HEO in the Civil Service?

Yes, SEO is a higher grade than HEO in the Civil Service. The grading structure progresses from junior roles like Administrative Officer AO and Executive Officer EO, through Higher Executive Officer HEO, to Senior Executive Officer SEO, and then on to Grade 7 G7 and Grade 6 G6, before reaching the Senior Civil Service SCS.

How much does an SEO earn in the Civil Service?

The salary for an SEO in the Civil Service varies based on the department and location. As of 2024, the national minimum salary for an SEO can be around £39,439 Defra example. More recent government data from 2025 indicated a national starting salary of approximately £41,364. London-based roles typically have higher salaries. For example, the MOD lists a minimum SEO salary of £43,080 as of August 2023.

What are the key responsibilities of a Higher Executive Officer HEO?

Key responsibilities for an HEO often include managing teams of junior staff EOs and AOs, overseeing specific projects, carrying out data analysis and preparing reports, supporting the development of more junior colleagues, managing allocated budgets, and contributing to the review and drafting of policies. They are focused on the effective implementation and delivery of work within their scope. How Much Does SEO Increase Traffic? (And How to Make it Happen!)

What is the typical career path from HEO to SEO?

The typical career path from HEO to SEO involves gaining experience in project management, team leadership, and policy implementation. To progress, you usually need to demonstrate an increased capacity for strategic thinking, greater ownership of work, improved stakeholder management, and confidence in communicating with senior leaders. Actively seeking out opportunities to lead broader initiatives and develop your leadership and influencing skills will help you make the jump.

What is an SEO grade in the Civil Service?

An SEO grade in the Civil Service refers to the Senior Executive Officer level. This is a mid-level management position where individuals are expected to be experienced managers or technical specialists. They lead teams to develop policies or services, manage stakeholder relationships, provide briefings for senior colleagues, and contribute significantly to high-level decision-making processes. It’s a step up from HEO, requiring a broader view and more strategic input.