About this role
### Location
Aldershot, Barnstaple, Basingstoke, Bath, Bodmin, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cheltenham, Exeter, Gloucester, Havant, Newport (Isle of Wight), Newton Abbot, Plymouth, Poole, Portsmouth, Salisbury, Southampton, Swindon, Taunton, Torquay, Truro, Weston-super-Mare, Weymouth, Winchester, Yeovil
Job description
Proud to serve. Proud to keep justice going.
We are excited to be offering 2 positions within our South West senior leadership team - Head of Operations for Crime and Head of Service Performance & Improvement (HoSPI).
About us
HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is responsible for the administration of criminal, civil and family Courts and Tribunals in England and Wales and non-devolved tribunals in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Our roles support our service users and colleagues within HMCTS, where people and businesses access potentially life-changing justice. We’re looking for individuals who are committed to public service and making a difference in people’s lives to deliver justice. If you are interested in developing a career with a real purpose, please apply.
Head of Operations Crime - Your role
The Head of Operations will undertake the strategic leadership and performance of across multiple locations, ensuring a highly effective and consistent service delivery.
The role has considerable influence and responsibility across this service as well as significant people leadership responsibility. The postholder will have direct line management of the Deputy Head of Operations and indirect leadership of several hundred staff across the region.
As the jurisdictional lead for Crime, the Head of Operations will work with colleagues, leadership teams, Judges, stakeholders and senior stakeholders to focus on developing the end-to-end service to maintain and improve performance.
Your skills and experience
Head of Operations will have;
- Excellent leadership and relationship management skills with proven ability of delivering through others and leading large operational teams.
- Experience of operational/service management and supporting stakeholders/partners. The Head of Operations will engage effectively with internal stakeholders, the legal profession and external stakeholders in managing interactions with the wider community and the media.
- The ability to anticipate and identify strategic organisational issues and analyse and interpret statistical information to assess performance. The Head of Operations will be expected to take responsibility for the resolution of a range of complex problems, escalating only those which are outside of current policy area or level of authority.
- Excellent communication and customer service skills, understanding the needs of our end users reflecting the diverse needs of our customer base from professional justice partners to vulnerable victims and witnesses.
- Strong influencing, collaborating and negotiating skills to deliver excellent levels of service within the jurisdiction.
- A demonstrable track record of strategic planning and delivering significant change.
The Head of Service Performance & Improvement (HoSPI) - Your role
The Head of Service Performance & Improvement (HoSPI) is a key strategic leadership role responsible for driving service improvement, performance and change across all jurisdictions within the region. Working alongside the Regional Delivery Director, you will support the delivery of regional priorities, improve operational performance and ensure the effective implementation of new policies, processes and systems.
Your role will encompass several key aspects (but not limited to):
- Lead service improvement and change initiatives across the region.
- Work with operational and legal leaders to analyse performance and drive continuous improvement.
- Act as the link between frontline operations and national Service Owners, providing operational insight to support future service development.
- Support regional business planning and strategic delivery across all jurisdictions.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders, judiciary and justice partners to deliver service improvements.
- Lead regional change teams and support the successful implementation of national and local change programmes.
- Support the effective allocation of resources and identify opportunities to improve service delivery and performance.
Essential
- Experience of leading people, performance and change within a complex operational environment.
- A proven track record of delivering service improvement and positive business outcomes.
- Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret performance information and identify strategic priorities.
- Experience of building effective relationships and influencing senior stakeholders across organisational boundaries.
- The ability to lead through others, motivate teams and deliver results in a changing environment.
Location
The successful candidates can be based in any South West region location as below but will be required to regularly travel across the region, along with other HMCTS locations as required by business needs. Travel expenses will be paid in accordance with organisational policies.
Aldershot, Barnstaple, Basingstoke, Bath, Bodmin, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cheltenham, Exeter, Gloucester, Havant, Newport (Isle of Wight), Newton Abbot, Plymouth, Poole, Portsmouth, Salisbury, Southampton, Swindon, Taunton, Torquay, Truro, Weston-Super-Mare, Weymouth, Winchester, Yeovil.
Further details
New recruits to the Civil Service joining MoJ are expected to join at the band minimum.
These vacancies are full time only due to their nature. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week (Monday to Friday). Non-contractual hybrid working is currently available. Hybrid working arrangements will be determined by the business and will only be available when it has been established that delivering the service from home can be done effectively. We cannot facilitate requests for a particular work from home/working in the office schedule.
For a full job description of the roles, please read the supporting documents before applying. If you would like to discuss the roles and the responsibilities, please contact [email protected]
IMPORTANT
You must clearly indicate within your statement of suitability which role you are applying for –
- Head of Operations for Crime
- Head of Operational Compliance and Performance Improvement
- Both roles
Additional Information
Working Arrangements & Further Information
The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.
Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.
For nationally advertised role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map . All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity).
For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).
Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.
MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.
All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.
Flexible working hours
The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.
Benefits
The MoJ offers a range of benefits:
Annual Leave
Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.
There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.
Pension
The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
Training
The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
Networks
The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.
Support
- A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
- Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
- For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/tax-free-childcare) or Childcare Choices (https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/) . You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ .
- Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
- Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles . Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order
- To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) );
- To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team ( [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) );
- To the Civil Service Commission (details available here (https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/recruitment-complaints/) )
As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.
For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos .
You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.
Diversity & Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .
A Great Place to Work for Veterans
The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans
Redeployment Interview Scheme
Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.
MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.
Civil Service Nationality Rules
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families (https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fsettled-status-eu-citizens-families&data=05%7C01%7Cchristopher.jeffery%40soprasteria.com%7C8a2293860362402c15da08dbf4cff146%7C8b87af7d86474dc78df45f69a2011bb5%7C0%7C0%7C638372946312587803%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=s%2BxUsev%2BGeeK%2FLgTUjpjfTJu%2FjpKQZ%2BQPJXNduvik3Q%3D&reserved=0)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules
Reserve list
A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.
Contact Information
MoJ:
If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail [email protected]
Please quote the job reference 22813
HMPPS
If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail [email protected]
Please quote the job reference 22813
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Communicating and Influencing, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.
### Guidance for the Statement of Suitability
Please tell why you are suitable for this role. Demonstrate your transferable skills, knowledge, and experience in relation to the essential criteria outlined in the job description. You may draw on examples from work, education, volunteering, or other relevant experiences.
To achieve the highest scores, we strongly encourage you to use the full word count of 1000 words, provide personalised, real-life evidence, and clearly link your experience to the essential criteria.
Please ensure that all information provided is truthful and factually accurate. Important: Submitting content that is copied or plagiarised—including material generated by others or by artificial intelligence, may result in your application being withdrawn.
IMPORTANT - You must clearly indicate within your statement of suitability which role you are applying for –
• Head of Operations for Crime
• Head of Operational Compliance and Performance Improvement
• Both roles
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles/success-profiles-strengths).
Candidates successful at sift stage will be provided with the presentation details ahead of their interview. A five-minute window will be provided for you to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively in terms of content and structure. No use of visual aids during the presentation, such as PowerPoint presentation or handouts. The use of notes is permitted for reference during the presentation and interview.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.