diff --git a/benchmarks/duckshop/edge_cases/orchestration/administrator_lifecycle.json b/benchmarks/duckshop/edge_cases/orchestration/administrator_lifecycle.json
index 8116485af0..a9896b74f6 100644
--- a/benchmarks/duckshop/edge_cases/orchestration/administrator_lifecycle.json
+++ b/benchmarks/duckshop/edge_cases/orchestration/administrator_lifecycle.json
@@ -12,11 +12,11 @@
     {"role": "developer", "allowed": true}
   ],
   "session_roles": [
-    {"role": null, "expected_metadata": 403, "expected_connection": 403, "expected_job": 403, "expected_sql": 403},
-    {"role": "viewer", "expected_metadata": 200, "expected_connection": 403, "expected_job": 403, "expected_sql": 403},
-    {"role": "operator", "expected_metadata": 200, "expected_connection": 403, "expected_job": 200, "expected_sql": 403},
-    {"role": "developer", "expected_metadata": 200, "expected_connection": 200, "expected_job": 200, "expected_sql": 200},
-    {"role": "admin", "expected_metadata": 200, "expected_connection": 200, "expected_job": 200, "expected_sql": 200}
+    {"role": null, "expected_metadata": 403, "expected_connection": 403, "expected_job": 403, "expected_sql": 403, "expected_prioritised": 403},
+    {"role": "viewer", "expected_metadata": 200, "expected_connection": 403, "expected_job": 403, "expected_sql": 403, "expected_prioritised": 403},
+    {"role": "operator", "expected_metadata": 200, "expected_connection": 403, "expected_job": 200, "expected_sql": 403, "expected_prioritised": 403},
+    {"role": "developer", "expected_metadata": 200, "expected_connection": 200, "expected_job": 200, "expected_sql": 200, "expected_prioritised": 403},
+    {"role": "admin", "expected_metadata": 200, "expected_connection": 200, "expected_job": 200, "expected_sql": 200, "expected_prioritised": 200}
   ],
   "job_settings": [
     {"full_refresh": false},
diff --git a/clients/typescript/src/schema.d.ts b/clients/typescript/src/schema.d.ts
index 2aebecfe52..a66f3d69c7 100644
--- a/clients/typescript/src/schema.d.ts
+++ b/clients/typescript/src/schema.d.ts
@@ -954,7 +954,7 @@ export interface components {
          * @description Closed permission vocabulary; unknown actions fail deserialization.
          * @enum {string}
          */
-        Action: "view" | "view.sql" | "view.evidence" | "job.run" | "run.cancel" | "run.rerun" | "run.rewrite_history" | "trigger.toggle" | "sensor.reset_cursor" | "run.adhoc" | "connection.test" | "user.manage" | "role.assign" | "audit.view";
+        Action: "view" | "view.sql" | "view.evidence" | "job.run" | "run.cancel" | "run.rerun" | "run.rewrite_history" | "run.prioritise" | "trigger.toggle" | "sensor.reset_cursor" | "run.adhoc" | "connection.test" | "user.manage" | "role.assign" | "audit.view";
         /**
          * @description Administrator membership and person eligibility share the final-admin invariant.
          * @enum {string}
diff --git a/crates/sqlbuild-orchestration/src/authorization/_helpers/person_grants.rs b/crates/sqlbuild-orchestration/src/authorization/_helpers/person_grants.rs
index a6d05a8f58..59a38db9e4 100644
--- a/crates/sqlbuild-orchestration/src/authorization/_helpers/person_grants.rs
+++ b/crates/sqlbuild-orchestration/src/authorization/_helpers/person_grants.rs
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ use crate::store::main::query::query;
 use crate::store::models::{ControlTransaction, Parameter};
 use crate::store::types::Row;
 
-const ACTIONS: [Action; 14] = [
+const ACTIONS: [Action; 15] = [
     Action::View,
     Action::ViewSql,
     Action::ViewEvidence,
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ const ACTIONS: [Action; 14] = [
     Action::RunCancel,
     Action::RunRerun,
     Action::RunRewriteHistory,
+    Action::RunPrioritise,
     Action::TriggerToggle,
     Action::SensorResetCursor,
     Action::RunAdhoc,
diff --git a/crates/sqlbuild-orchestration/src/credentials/models.rs b/crates/sqlbuild-orchestration/src/credentials/models.rs
index fc0a74344e..9f9e44b9df 100644
--- a/crates/sqlbuild-orchestration/src/credentials/models.rs
+++ b/crates/sqlbuild-orchestration/src/credentials/models.rs
@@ -89,6 +89,8 @@ pub enum Action {
     RunRerun,
     #[serde(rename = "run.rewrite_history")]
     RunRewriteHistory,
+    #[serde(rename = "run.prioritise")]
+    RunPrioritise,
     #[serde(rename = "trigger.toggle")]
     TriggerToggle,
     #[serde(rename = "sensor.reset_cursor")]
diff --git a/crates/sqlbuild-orchestration/src/runs/_helpers/requests/permissions.rs b/crates/sqlbuild-orchestration/src/runs/_helpers/requests/permissions.rs
index 58baf5f024..479db66fa7 100644
--- a/crates/sqlbuild-orchestration/src/runs/_helpers/requests/permissions.rs
+++ b/crates/sqlbuild-orchestration/src/runs/_helpers/requests/permissions.rs
@@ -68,5 +68,15 @@ pub(crate) async fn authorize_execution(
         )
         .await?;
     }
+    if matches!(action, Action::JobRun | Action::RunRerun) && request.priority > 0 {
+        scope.action = Action::RunPrioritise;
+        (transaction, context) = authorize_person(
+            transaction,
+            (&context, credentials),
+            &scope,
+            DefaultRole::None,
+        )
+        .await?;
+    }
     Ok((transaction, context))
 }
diff --git a/crates/sqlbuild-orchestration/tests/api/person_sessions/test_types.rs b/crates/sqlbuild-orchestration/tests/api/person_sessions/test_types.rs
index 552889f4b8..4a8912688e 100644
--- a/crates/sqlbuild-orchestration/tests/api/person_sessions/test_types.rs
+++ b/crates/sqlbuild-orchestration/tests/api/person_sessions/test_types.rs
@@ -16,5 +16,7 @@ pub(crate) struct SessionRoleCase {
     pub(crate) expected_metadata: u16,
     pub(crate) expected_connection: u16,
     pub(crate) expected_job: u16,
+    /// A job run above priority 0 needs `run.prioritise`, which only Admin grants.
+    pub(crate) expected_prioritised: u16,
     pub(crate) expected_sql: u16,
 }
diff --git a/crates/sqlbuild-orchestration/tests/api/test_person_sessions.rs b/crates/sqlbuild-orchestration/tests/api/test_person_sessions.rs
index cc253368c7..1ea10bd974 100644
--- a/crates/sqlbuild-orchestration/tests/api/test_person_sessions.rs
+++ b/crates/sqlbuild-orchestration/tests/api/test_person_sessions.rs
@@ -186,6 +186,7 @@ fn given_browser_session_roles_when_work_is_requested_then_scope_revocation_and_
             let mut last_request = Value::Null;
             let mut listed_person_runs = 0;
             let mut launched_person_runs = 0;
+            let mut prioritised_runs: Vec<Value> = Vec::new();
             let mut listed_seed_runs = 0;
             for role_case in roles {
                 for role in role_case.role.iter().copied() {
@@ -260,7 +261,10 @@ fn given_browser_session_roles_when_work_is_requested_then_scope_revocation_and_
                             ("parent_run_id", Value::Null),
                             ("trigger_name", Value::Null),
                             ("rerun_of_run_id", Value::Null),
-                            ("priority", json!(0)),
+                            (
+                                "priority",
+                                json!(i64::from(prioritised_runs.contains(&launched["run_id"]))),
+                            ),
                             ("rewrite_history", json!(false)),
                             ("cancel_requested_at", Value::Null),
                         ] {
@@ -421,6 +425,24 @@ fn given_browser_session_roles_when_work_is_requested_then_scope_revocation_and_
                         role_case.expected_job
                     );
                     launched_person_runs += usize::from(role_case.expected_job == 200);
+                    let urgent = json!({"run_id":Uuid::now_v7(), "location_id":location, "target":"development", "job_key":"orders", "reason":"Refresh orders first", "priority":1});
+                    assert_eq!(
+                        request(
+                            &provider.client,
+                            session,
+                            (Method::POST, "/api/control/runs"),
+                            (&urgent, &session.csrf)
+                        )
+                        .await
+                        .status()
+                        .as_u16(),
+                        role_case.expected_prioritised,
+                        "a priority above 0 needs run.prioritise"
+                    );
+                    let accepted = usize::from(role_case.expected_prioritised == 200);
+                    launched_person_runs += accepted;
+                    prioritised_runs
+                        .extend(std::iter::repeat_n(urgent["run_id"].clone(), accepted));
                     for (endpoint, request_body) in
                         [(&path[..], &body), ("/api/control/runs", &job)]
                     {
@@ -466,6 +488,8 @@ fn given_browser_session_roles_when_work_is_requested_then_scope_revocation_and_
                 }
                 expected_work += usize::from(role_case.expected_connection == 200) * sessions.len();
                 expected_runs += usize::from(role_case.expected_job == 200) * sessions.len();
+                expected_runs +=
+                    usize::from(role_case.expected_prioritised == 200) * sessions.len();
                 assert_eq!(
                     queue_counts(store).await,
                     json!({"work":expected_work,"runs":expected_runs,"claims":0})
diff --git a/crates/sqlbuild-orchestration/tests/runs/test_permissions.rs b/crates/sqlbuild-orchestration/tests/runs/test_permissions.rs
index 131c80a45a..6e29e1d3fc 100644
--- a/crates/sqlbuild-orchestration/tests/runs/test_permissions.rs
+++ b/crates/sqlbuild-orchestration/tests/runs/test_permissions.rs
@@ -209,11 +209,12 @@ fn given_scoped_person_roles_when_jobs_request_sensitive_settings_then_only_admi
                             &JobRunRequest {
                                 run_id: source_id,
                                 job_key: job_key.into(),
+                                priority: 1,
                                 ..request.clone()
                             },
                         )
                         .await
-                        .expect("owner creates source with frozen settings");
+                        .expect("owner creates urgent source with frozen settings");
                         let cancellation = CancelRunRequest {
                             run_id: source_id,
                             event_id: Uuid::now_v7(),
@@ -226,7 +227,7 @@ fn given_scoped_person_roles_when_jobs_request_sensitive_settings_then_only_admi
                                     .await
                                     .ok(),
                                 can_cancel.then_some(expected),
-                                "cancellation permits stopping even sensitive work"
+                                "cancellation permits stopping even sensitive or prioritised work"
                             );
                         }
                         let source_id = Uuid::now_v7();
diff --git a/src/sqlbuild/.agents/skills/sqlbuild/references/docs/cli/server.md b/src/sqlbuild/.agents/skills/sqlbuild/references/docs/cli/server.md
index aee81e65cd..2e87b81cc6 100644
--- a/src/sqlbuild/.agents/skills/sqlbuild/references/docs/cli/server.md
+++ b/src/sqlbuild/.agents/skills/sqlbuild/references/docs/cli/server.md
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ permissions = ["view.evidence"]
 | Selectors | Same grammar as a job's `select`; an unknown tag or name fails publication |
 | No matching nodes | Publication succeeds with a warning; the grant gives nothing |
 | Permissions | Any non-administrative action; `user.manage`, `role.assign` and `audit.view` are rejected |
-| Runs | `job.run`, `run.adhoc`, `run.rerun` and `run.rewrite_history` need the permission on every node the run writes |
+| Runs | `job.run`, `run.adhoc`, `run.rerun` and `run.rewrite_history` need the permission on every node the run writes; a priority above 0 also needs `run.prioritise`, which only Admin grants among built-in roles |
 | Triggers | `trigger.toggle` and `sensor.reset_cursor` need the permission on every node the trigger's job writes |
 | Listings | The catalog, statistics and run list need `view` on every node of the current publication; partial coverage is denied, not filtered |
 | Several roles | Grants add up across a person's roles |
diff --git a/ui/src/lib/api/mock/access.ts b/ui/src/lib/api/mock/access.ts
index bfd059226a..bdc0f09599 100644
--- a/ui/src/lib/api/mock/access.ts
+++ b/ui/src/lib/api/mock/access.ts
@@ -113,6 +113,7 @@ const PLAIN: Record<Capability, string> = {
 	'run.cancel': 'cancel runs',
 	'run.rerun': 'rerun runs',
 	'run.rewrite_history': 'full refresh or reprocess past data',
+	'run.prioritise': 'run ahead of the queue',
 	'trigger.toggle': 'pause and resume schedules and sensors',
 	'sensor.reset_cursor': 'reset where a sensor is up to',
 	'run.adhoc': 'build any selection of nodes',
diff --git a/ui/src/lib/api/types.ts b/ui/src/lib/api/types.ts
index 2176c599ce..e1bf968858 100644
--- a/ui/src/lib/api/types.ts
+++ b/ui/src/lib/api/types.ts
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ export const CAPABILITIES = [
 	'run.cancel',
 	'run.rerun',
 	'run.rewrite_history',
+	'run.prioritise',
 	'trigger.toggle',
 	'sensor.reset_cursor',
 	'run.adhoc',
diff --git a/ui/src/lib/platform/permission-catalog.ts b/ui/src/lib/platform/permission-catalog.ts
index 8686dd3bef..8292fcaef6 100644
--- a/ui/src/lib/platform/permission-catalog.ts
+++ b/ui/src/lib/platform/permission-catalog.ts
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ export const PERMISSIONS: Record<Capability, PermissionInfo> = {
 		description: 'Rebuild tables from scratch or reprocess earlier periods, replacing data already built.',
 		risk: 'changes_data'
 	},
+	'run.prioritise': { label: 'Put runs ahead of the queue', description: 'Start or rerun a run with a priority above 0, so it is claimed before waiting runs.', risk: 'operate' },
 	'trigger.toggle': { label: 'Pause and resume schedules and sensors', description: 'Stop or restart automatic runs.', risk: 'operate' },
 	'sensor.reset_cursor': { label: 'Reset where a sensor is up to', description: 'Move a sensor’s position so it looks at events again.', risk: 'operate' },
 	'run.adhoc': { label: 'Build any selection of nodes', description: 'Start an ad-hoc run of nodes outside a declared job, writing to the warehouse.', risk: 'changes_data' },
diff --git a/website/src/content/docs/docs/cli/server.mdx b/website/src/content/docs/docs/cli/server.mdx
index 37144b9e86..857db8438d 100644
--- a/website/src/content/docs/docs/cli/server.mdx
+++ b/website/src/content/docs/docs/cli/server.mdx
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ permissions = ["view.evidence"]
 | Selectors | Same grammar as a job's `select`; an unknown tag or name fails publication |
 | No matching nodes | Publication succeeds with a warning; the grant gives nothing |
 | Permissions | Any non-administrative action; `user.manage`, `role.assign` and `audit.view` are rejected |
-| Runs | `job.run`, `run.adhoc`, `run.rerun` and `run.rewrite_history` need the permission on every node the run writes |
+| Runs | `job.run`, `run.adhoc`, `run.rerun` and `run.rewrite_history` need the permission on every node the run writes; a priority above 0 also needs `run.prioritise`, which only Admin grants among built-in roles |
 | Triggers | `trigger.toggle` and `sensor.reset_cursor` need the permission on every node the trigger's job writes |
 | Listings | The catalog, statistics and run list need `view` on every node of the current publication; partial coverage is denied, not filtered |
 | Several roles | Grants add up across a person's roles |