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General Information

Salary
The national salary range is £35,335 - £37,847, London salary range is £40,014 - £42,859. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
National
Region
National
Closing Date
10-Oct-2025
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
HEO
Number of jobs available
2
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
10278

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Role: Business Manager to Deputy Director

Business: Office of Public Guardian (OPG)

Location: National (requiring regular travel to OPG Birmingham and Nottingham offices)

Grade: HEO

Salary:  £35,335-£37,847 National. £40,014-£42,859 London

Contract Type:

Minimum Hours: Full time

Organisational Overview

The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) protects people in England and Wales who may not have the mental capacity to make certain decisions for themselves, such as about their health and finance. We are an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), set up in 2007 following the introduction of the Mental Capacity Act of 2005.

OPG is responsible for registering lasting powers of attorney (LPA) and enduring powers of attorney (EPA) and supervising deputies who are appointed by the Court of Protection.

OPG is a fantastic place to work offering a range of development opportunities.  The OPG is a disability confident employer  and is committed to developing a supportive and inclusive environment that reflects the diverse community we serve.

OPG is currently delivering an ambitious transformation programme. This will change the way we provide services and help us meet the growing needs of our users, partners and our stakeholders. It will make sure our users experience a better level of support and will help us to respond to the changing needs of society. Transformation will ensure we can better support adults at risk and create high-quality services that are accessible and affordable.

Team Overview

We are recruiting for up to two Business Manager roles within OPG.

One role will support the Chief Operating Officer, who is responsible for the directorate who receive, register and amend LPAs, safeguard people with LPAs investigating any concerns of abuse  and monitor people holding deputyships, including investigating any concerns about their decisions. This role reports to the Operations Capability Lead.

The other role will support up to two Strategy & Central Services Deputy Directors, who are responsible for Policy, Data, Performance, Assurance, People Services and Transformation and Change. This role reports to the Public Guardian’s Private Secretary.

Both roles offer a unique opportunity to work at the heart of the OPG, supporting senior leaders in driving forward our organisational priorities. These are stretching and high-profile positions where you’ll gain exposure to a wide range of projects and strategic initiatives. Whether supporting the Chief Operating or up to two Strategy & Central Services Deputy Directors, you’ll be joining OPG at a busy but exciting time as we focus on transformation and innovation. These roles offer scope for creativity, professional growth, and making a real impact.

Duties and Responsibilities 

As a Business Manager, you will play a pivotal role in supporting senior leaders and enabling the smooth running of directorate priorities. Each Business Manager role will be nuanced based on the Deputy Director(s) you are supporting but the core responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

-            Provide a high-quality service for the Chief Operating Officer or Strategy & Central Services Deputy Director(s) by personally delivering key priorities and proactively resolving issues on their behalf.

-            Line manage a small team of Executive Assistants and ensure effective day to day support required by the Chief Operating Officer or Strategy & Central Services Deputy Director(s) is managed within the team – e.g. inbox and diary management and commissioning papers and briefings.

-            Develop a strong understanding of the Directorate remit and develop strong working relationships to act as a trusted advisor and sounding board to the Chief Operating Officer or Strategy & Central Services Deputy Director(s) and their leadership teams.

-            Lead and coordinate directorate-level governance, ensuring smooth delivery of OPG core meetings and monitoring progress of actions.

-            Lead internal directorate communications, including content development for blogs, staff update emails and all-staff calls, ensuring messaging is engaging and aligned with organisational goals.

-            Oversee directorate budgets, liaising with Finance colleagues and contributing to key corporate outputs such as the Annual Report and Accounts.

-            Build and maintain strong working relationships across OPG, MoJ, and wider Civil Service.

-            Promote diversity, inclusion, and equality of opportunity in all aspects of your work and be a visible leader and role model by developing a team culture and environment of continuous improvement that supports the wider organisation to deliver.

-            Additional responsibilities dependent on specific directorate, could include interpreting and communicating KPI’s and performance, acting as L&D budget holder and procuring bespoke training, and monitoring central HR systems.

Skills & Qualifications

Essential Criteria

·       A highly competent, positive and organised person with proven experience in managing multiple demands.

·       Ability to work with sensitive information and always ensuring confidentiality.

·       Able to build relationships with multiple stakeholders at senior level with tact and diplomacy, capable of using initiative, working to a high standard and able to work as part of a team.

·       A confident communicator, with confidence, energy, and enthusiasm with people at all levels across OPG and MoJ.

·       An ability to think creatively and effectively use various technology tools and software to develop better ways of doing things.

·       Ability to work without supervision and committed to give a high-quality performance in all aspects of the job.

Excellent leadership and management experience

Application process

This recruitment will follow the Civil Service Success Profile process and will assess your Experience, Behaviours and Strengths. 

Candidates will be expected to provide a CV (2 pages of A4 maximum) plus a supporting personal statement of suitability of no more than 750 words explaining how you demonstrate your experience against the essential criteria required for this role. The first 3 criteria’s will be used as lead criterion if there is a large volume of applications.

If you are successful at sift, you will be invited to an informal and unassessed fireside chat with the Chief Operating Officer and an informal and unassessed fireside chat with the Strategy & Central Services Deputy Director. You will also be invited to interview which will follow the Success Profile process.

If you are successful at sift, you will be invited to an interview which will follow the Success Profile process.

Interview Process

If you are successful at sift, you will be invited to an interview which will use the Civil Service Success Profiles. At interview, candidates should expect questions on:

·       Strengths relevant to the role

·       The following Behaviours at Level 3:

o   Managing a Quality Service (lead)

o   Delivering at Pace

o   Communicating and Influencing

o   Working Together

All interviews will be held remotely via MS Teams.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

Reasonable Adjustments

At OPG we consider all applications on the basis of merit and want you to feel able to demonstrate your full potential whatever type of assessment is used. If you require any reasonable adjustments for any aspect of the selection process, do not hesitate to get in contact with us.

As a Disability Confident organisation, we will offer a guaranteed interview to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for this role. If you are applying for a role within OPG and would like to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, please indicate this in your application and let us know of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the selection process.

For further information on benefits of working for OPG, such as our Flexible Working Policy and a FAQ, please check the candidate information pack attached to this advert.

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 or Childcare Choices. 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

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
  • 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 moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 10278

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 10278

Application form stage assessments

Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Statement of Suitability
Guidance for the Statement of Suitability
This recruitment will follow the Civil Service Success Profile process and will assess your Experience, Behaviours and Strengths.

Candidates will be expected to provide a CV (2 pages of A4 maximum) plus a supporting personal statement of suitability of no more than 750 words explaining how you demonstrate your experience against the essential criteria required for this role. The first 3 criteria’s will be used as lead criterion if there is a large volume of applications.
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Expected Week commencing 10th November subject to change
Behaviours
Managing a Quality Service
Delivering at Pace
Communicating and Influencing
Working Together
Strengths
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
Level of security checks required
DBS Standard