The directorate was originally part of the British Ministry of Defence (Navy Department) and is now under the Ministry of Defence (Naval Staff) as part of Navy Command.

It is currently administered by the Commodore Naval Staff now based at MOD HQ.

Oversight of the directorate was initially the responsibility of the Office of the Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff which is now the responsibility of the Office of the Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Policy) as part of Navy Command.

[3] The Naval Staff Directorate is currently providing support to the First Sea Lord, ACNS (Policy), and the Navy Board.

Circa 2014 the directorate was supported in its role by a Secretariat.