About this role
This vacancy is only available to existing Civil Servant employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). Please review the "Eligibility" section before you apply.
Job description
HM Courts and Tribunals Service
Job Title: Senior Executive Assistant and Business Manager
Grade: HEO
Directorate: Office of the CEO
Location: London
Contract Type: Loan/Fixed Term/Detached Duty (12 months initially)
Working Pattern: Full-time
This is a full-time position only due to the nature of the role.
Successful applicants will be expected to be office based 3 days per week.
Level of Clearance: To apply for this role, you will be required to successfully complete Counter Terrorism Check (CTC). level as a condition of appointment. For further guidance click here
Introduction
HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is responsible for the administration of criminal, civil and family courts and tribunals in England and Wales. Our roles support our service users and colleagues, where people and businesses access potentially life-changing justice. We’re looking for individuals who are committed to public service and want to make a difference in people’s lives in delivering justice. If you’re interested in developing a career with a real purpose, please apply.
The Office of the CEO sits at the centre of HMCTS, supporting the CEO and senior leadership to turn priorities into action. It is a dynamic, fast-paced environment, working across the organisation and with senior colleagues across the Ministry of Justice, judiciary and wider government.
Job Description
The Senior Executive Assistant & Business Manager is a critical role within the Office of the CEO and is key to its smooth and efficient running. You will provide high-quality, efficient and effective executive and business support to two Deputy Directors who are currently working closely with the CEO as HMCTS develops its priorities and ways of working under new leadership. You will also provide wider business management support across the Office of the CEO, including to the Deputy Director in the Office and the wider team.
The role is varied and fast-paced, requiring excellent organisational skills, attention to detail and confident communication. Responsibilities include managing senior diaries and priorities, coordinating recruitment and onboarding, maintaining effective administrative and information-management systems, supporting workforce and financial processes, and keeping business support arrangements running smoothly.
You will work closely with senior colleagues across HMCTS, the Ministry of Justice and wider Government, building strong relationships, acting with discretion and agility and contributing to the effective operation of the Office as a whole.
In this role you will
Your role as Senior Executive Assistant and Business Manager will encompass several key responsibilities listed below (but not limited to):
- Manage diaries for three Deputy Directors working closely with the CEO, including scheduling meetings, workshops and events, resolving competing demands, anticipating requirements and ensuring effective use of their time.
- Lead and coordinate recruitment activity across the Office of the CEO, working with HR and recruitment colleagues to support campaigns, expressions of interest and appointments.
- Coordinate induction, onboarding and offboarding for staff, ensuring colleagues have the information, equipment, access and support they need.
- Maintain and develop effective administrative, record-keeping and filing systems, including managing the Office’s shared digital workspace and implementing improved systems where required.
- Provide business management support across the Office, helping the team operate efficiently and consistently.
- Coordinate workforce information, including vacancies, recruitment activity, team structures and other people-related information.
- Support financial and administrative processes, including procurement, travel booking, expenses and monitoring relevant expenditure where required.
- Review and maintain Office materials, including induction information, shared guidance and other resources, ensuring information remains current and accurate.
- Maintain effective resilience arrangements, including coordinating leave, cover and business continuity across the Office.
- Develop and improve ways of working, identifying opportunities to simplify processes and improve the efficiency of the Office.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with colleagues across HMCTS, the Ministry of Justice and wider Government to resolve issues quickly and get things done effectively.
- Provide ad-hoc and flexible executive and business support to the Deputy Director, wider Office and senior colleagues as required, contributing to the smooth and effective operation of the team.
Person Specification
We are looking for someone who:
- Is a highly motivated self-starter with excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise effectively in a fast-paced, pressurised environment.
- Has strong written and verbal communication skills and can engage confidently with senior colleagues and stakeholders.
- Is resilient, resourceful and adaptable, with the ability to maintain focus under pressure and deliver high-quality outcomes at pace.
- Can exercise sound judgement, identify emerging issues and act on their own initiative.
- Has strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach, building and maintaining effective relationships across all levels of an organisation.
- Is comfortable working independently, taking ownership of areas of work and managing multiple competing priorities.
- Can anticipate the needs of senior colleagues and manage their time and priorities effectively.
- Can handle sensitive information appropriately and exercise discretion.
- Has a desire to simplify processes and improve ways of working through practical solutions.
Essential skills
- Experience of providing high-quality business, administrative or executive support in a busy environment.
- Experience of managing complex diaries, competing priorities and delivering work to tight deadlines.
- Experience of working with and liaising confidently with senior stakeholders.
- Experience of coordinating people, processes or business activity across a team.
- Strong IT skills, including experience using Microsoft Office applications such as Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Desirable skills
- Experience of recruitment, induction or workforce management.
- Experience of providing executive support to senior leaders.
- Experience of information or records management.
- Experience of working in a Private Office, central support team or similar fast-paced environment.
Application process:
Stage 1 - Sift:
To apply for this position, you must submit the following as part of your application:
- An anonymised CV , setting out your career history, key responsibilities and achievements. Your CV will be assessed against the essential criteria outlined within the Essential Skills section of this advert.
- A Statement of Suitability which should give us real life examples of how your skills and experience match those needed for this role. We recommend following the STAR (https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/interview-advice/the-star-method)
Should we receive a high volume of applications, a pre-sift may be conducted on the CV. Candidates who pass the pre-sift will be fully assessed on all the sift criteria.
Please access the following link for guidance on how to apply - Application Guidance
Stage 2 - Interviews:
Successful candidates who passed the sift will be invited to interview via Microsoft Teams. At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Behaviours:
- Delivering at Pace
- Managing a Quality Service
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
Details can be found under the interview stage assessment section on the advert.
For further guidance on the interview process please click here
Important information
Level of Clearance
To apply for this role, you will be required to successfully complete Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) level as a condition of appointment. To meet these requirements, you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least:
- CTC - 3 years
For further information please click here
Salary details
New recruits to the Civil Service joining MoJ are expected to join at the band minimum.
Existing Civil Servants applying on promotion, will usually be appointed on the salary minimum of the new pay band, or receive an increase of 10 percent on the current base salary, whichever is higher (This is restricted to the pay maximum of the new band).
Travel requirements
There will be a requirement to travel frequently to London in line with business needs.
Fixed Term Appointments (FTA) on Promotion
MoJ employees may apply for FTA opportunities in MoJ that are advertised at a higher grade than their current substantive grade. Where an employee accepts an FTA on promotion, this promotion will be temporary, and the employee will revert to their substantive grade upon return to their home business area, as per the loan policy for OGD loans. Before applying, employees must seek approval from their line managers to ensure they can be released for the duration of the FTA and can return to their substantive role at the end. If there is no role available at the end of the FTA, the employee will be subject to redeployment and potentially redundancy procedures.
Skilled Worker Sponsorship
This role does not meet the eligibility criteria for sponsorship in accordance with the current immigration rules if you are looking to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa for the first time.
The Department cannot consider sponsoring you for this role unless you have held a Skilled Worker visa continuously since before 22 July 2025. If you have held a Skilled Worker visa continuously, please raise this during your vetting checks and eligibility will be assessed in accordance with the immigration rules and transitional provisions in place.
If you are applying for this role and you do not meet the new eligibility criteria for sponsorship (or the transitional provisions), you will need to consider your options for obtaining and/or maintaining your right to work in the UK in light of these changes. Successful applicants must ensure they have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the Civil Service and in the United Kingdom.
The Department will continue to comply with UK Immigration Rules applied in the UK and Civil Service . You can read more about Skilled Worker visas and the eligibility criteria here.
Proud to Serve. Proud to keep justice going.
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 roles: 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.
Eligibility
Staff on fixed term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition.
Vacancies advertised “cross-government” are only open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners' rules.
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. 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.
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.
For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos .
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 .
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 23395
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
### Guidance for the Statement of Suitability
A Statement of Suitability which should give us real life examples of how your skills and experience match those needed for this role. We recommend following the STAR format.
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.