Thank you for your interest in the role of Ministry of Justice’s Director of Technology.

This is a rare opportunity to lead one of the most ambitious digital and technology transformations in government — modernising the criminal justice system across the largest department in Whitehall.

At the Ministry of Justice, we serve millions of people every year, often during the most difficult moments in their lives. Our mission is to make services smarter, faster, and more human — powered by secure, scalable, and modern technology platforms.

As Director of Technology, you’ll be at the heart of this transformation. You’ll lead a directorate of over 1,000 professionals, manage a £297 million annual budget, and oversee critical commercial partnerships.

Your remit spans workplace technology for 95,000+ staff and contractors, including our Arm’s Length Bodies and Executive Agencies, as well as technology services for the prison estate. You’ll be responsible for the full technology stack — infrastructure, networks, Wi-Fi, data storage, identity and access management, security, devices, applications, and print and scan services.

Beyond business-as-usual, you’ll drive major transformation through our Evolve programme, bringing End User Compute and Digital Infrastructure & Security Operations in-house — delivering cashable savings, reducing technical debt, and enhancing cyber resilience.

This is one of the most challenging and meaningful technology leadership roles in the Civil Service. It demands strategic vision, technical depth, and the ability to lead at scale - but it also offers the chance to make a lasting impact on society.

If you’re excited by the opportunity to shape the future of justice through technology, we look forward to receiving your application.

Best wishes,

Mark Thompson

Chief Digital Information Officer

The Ministry of Justice is a major government department at the heart of the justice system. We deliver some of the most fundamental public services including courts, tribunals, prisons, legal services, youth justice, probation services, and attendance centres.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) works to protect and advance the principles of justice. Our vision is to deliver a world-class justice system that works for everyone in society.

The justice system plays a crucial role in our success as a nation - keeping people safe, emphasising fairness, guaranteeing individual rights and giving businesses confidence to flourish.

The delivery of our three strategic outcomes are central to doing this:

• Punishment that cuts crime: to rebuild confidence in the criminal justice system by protecting the public and reducing reoffending with a sustainable and effective prison and probation service.  

• Swifter justice for victims: to rebuild confidence in the criminal justice system by ensuring timely, just outcomes for victims and defendants through a modern and efficient criminal courts system.

• A beacon for justice and the rule of law: to uphold the rule of law at home and abroad; promote our world-leading legal services, which contribute to economic growth; and deliver accessible and timely civil, family and administrative justice.

For more information on who we are and what we do, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

About the role

Job Title

Director of Technology

Location

National

The MoJ is working to open more Justice Collaboration Centres and Justice Satellite Offices over time. Click here to learn more about MoJ’s offices, including where our currently open Justice Collaboration Centres and Justice Satellite Offices are, to identify where you may be based

The successful applicant must spend at least 60% of the week working from a MoJ site. Some travel to MoJ locations may be required.

Please note the requirements for travel and level of flexibility available as set out in the FAQs section. 

Salary

The salary for this role is set within the MoJ SCS PB2 range (£100,000 - £163,000).

Existing Civil Servants will be appointed in line with the Civil Service pay rules in place on the date of their appointment.

Contract Type

This role is being offered on a temporary basis as a 12 month loan.

Eligibility

This Expression Of Interest is open to all Civil Servants who have been appointment through fair and open competition.

You cannot apply if you were recruited via one of the following options:

• Via exceptions 1-4 of the CS Commission’s Recruitment Principles - this means you were not recruited via open and fair competition.

• If you are a Contractor or Agency worker - this is because you are not a substantive civil servant.

• If you are seconded into the Civil Service from an outside (non-Civil Service) organisation.
  
  If you are on Loan into MoJ (including Executive Agencies).

• To be able to apply to this EOI, your home government department line manager and your MoJ line Manager must approve your application for a different role.

Terms of Appointment:

• Level/Temporary Promotion.

• Detached Duty or Loan (if on HMPPS T&Cs).

• This role is being offered on a temporary basis for an anticipated period of 12 months.

• The successful candidate will return to their home department at the end of the period.
  
  
  

The Role

The Director of Technology will report to the Chief Digital and Information Officer. In this role, you will ensure that our technology supports the department’s strategic objectives, enhances security and resilience, drives operational efficiency, and enables a transformation that modernises the infrastructure underpinning the UK justice system, making it flexible, sustainable, and cost-effective.

As Director of Technology, your leadership will bring together a diverse community of technical experts to deliver secure, integrated, and user-focused services. You will foster a culture of innovation, security-by-design, and delivery excellence — ensuring technology not only meets compliance standards but drives meaningful outcomes across the organisation.

You’ll work closely with the Chief Technology Officer, Directors of Digital and Data, and senior colleagues across MoJ and its agencies, as well as DSIT and other government departments, to shape cross-government strategies. As a senior leader, you’ll represent the Technology Directorate in ministerial briefings and key governance forums, ensuring technology remains central to decision-making and delivery.

You'll also partner with industry and academia to keep MoJ leading in innovation, research, and security.

Key Responsibilities

• You’ll lead and inspire a high-performing team of technical specialists, creating a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. By setting a clear vision aligned with MoJ’s digital strategy, you’ll empower your team to deliver secure, user-centred technology services that embrace emerging trends and challenge the status quo. As part of the senior leadership team, you’ll help shape strategic direction and foster a shared sense of purpose across Justice Digital.

• You’ll lead the transformation of MoJ’s technology services by embracing flexible working trends, emerging technologies, and modern delivery methods. Alongside managing the BAU portfolio, you’ll drive major change through the Evolve programme — bringing End User Compute and Digital Infrastructure & Security Operations in-house to deliver cashable savings, strengthen security monitoring, and reduce technical debt.

• You’ll manage a budget of over £297 million, ensuring investment delivers maximum value while driving cost savings and efficiencies. Where needed, you’ll secure additional funding by clearly demonstrating ROI and broader strategic benefits. Working closely with commercial colleagues, you’ll oversee supplier performance and risk, and shape the future commercial strategy for infrastructure services through strong, forward-looking relationships with current and prospective partners.

• You’ll need exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build consensus across competing priorities and navigate complex organisational landscapes. As a senior technology leader, you’ll provide expert input and strategic guidance to a wide range of stakeholders — including ministers, agency CEOs, and senior officials — ensuring technology decisions are well-informed, aligned, and impactful.

Information Session

• To find out more about this exciting opportunity we are hosting an Information Session on Monday, 20 Oct 2025 11:30 - 12:00.

• Current Director of Technology Mark Robinson and Chief Digital and Information Officer Mark Thompson will be in attendance to discuss the position in further detail.

• To join this session please use the following details

Link: Join event

Meeting ID: 311 874 864 194 1
Passcode: SW24EN7N

I t is important through your CV and Statement of Suitability that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the below essential criteria:

Essential criteria:

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:

• Inspiring, credible leadership with the gravitas to set strategic architectural direction, build technical capability, and influence and collaborate effectively across a complex stakeholder environment.

• Proven experience in designing and delivering secure, coherent, scalable architecture strategies in large, complex organisations, resulting in measurable improvements to operational efficiency and user outcomes.

• Strong commercial acumen, with experience in building and managing high performing partnerships with technology suppliers to support delivery at scale;

• Deep expertise in software development and application architecture, with expert knowledge of open-source technologies and testing;

• Comprehensive understanding of IT governance, security, risk management, and compliance in regulated or similarly complex environments.

Application

To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application process no later than 23:55 on 27^th October 2025 and will involve uploading the two documents outlined below:

Document details:

1. A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.

2. A Statement of Suitability (no more than 1000 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification.

Should you encounter any issues with your application please get in touch with SCS Recruitment via:

scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk.

Selection Process

The selection process will be chaired by Mark Thompson, Chief Digital and Information officer, MoJ.

Other panel members will be confirmed in due course.

Information Session

• Monday, 20 Oct 2025 11:30 - 12:00.

• Current Director of Technology Mark Robinson and Chief Digital and Information Officer Mark Thompson will be in attendance to discuss the position in further detail.

• To join this session please use the following details

Link: Join event

Meeting ID: 311 874 864 194 1
Passcode: SW24EN7N

Shortlist

The panel will assess your application to select those demonstrating the best fit with the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the criteria set out on page 8.

Shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible following the shortlist meeting.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Interview

You will be asked to attend a panel interview in order to have a more in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out on page 8. Please note, you may be asked to complete a presentation on a topic chosen by the panel at interview stage.

Full details of the assessment process will be made available to shortlisted candidates.

Offer

Regardless of the outcome, we will notify all candidates as soon as possible after the final interview.

Guidance for writing your application

As part of the application process, you need to submit a Statement and CV. Both your Statement and CV should demonstrate how you meet the essential experience outlined in the Person Specification section.

Ensure you read through the role information thoroughly and identify the essential criteria for each area. You should ensure you provide evidence for each of the essential experience which are required for the role in your Statement and CV. You may not be progressed to the next stage of the assessment process if you do not provide this evidence.

When structuring your Statements try to:

• Group evidence of the same experience together by using subheadings and paragraphs. This will help to ensure you are writing about the experience that is directly relevant for the role you are applying for.

• You should ensure that you detail recent and relevant examples of the essential experience required for the role and describe the outcome that came from this.

For more information on how to write your Statement and CV please visit the Civil Service Careers Website.

The anticipated timetable is as follows:

Can I apply if I am not currently a civil servant?

No. This role is only open to Civil Servants.

Is this role suitable for part-time working?

This role is available for full-time or flexible working arrangements (including job share partnerships). If you wish to discuss your needs in more detail please get in touch with the SCS Recruitment Team.

Will the role involve travel?

If the successful candidate is not London based, travel to London will be needed regularly, as this is where most stakeholders are based.

Where will the role be based?

The base location of this post is flexible and can be based at any of our buildings across England and Wales.

The successful applicant must spend at least 60% of the week working from a MoJ site.

Relocation costs will not be reimbursed.

Can I claim back any expenses incurred during the recruitment process?

No. Unfortunately we will not be able to reimburse you, except in exceptional circumstances and only when agreed in advance.

Is security clearance required?

Yes. If successful you must hold, or be willing to obtain, security clearance to SC level. More information about the vetting process can be found here.

What reasonable adjustments can be made if I have a disability?

We welcome and encourage applications from all candidates and are committed to supporting all candidates to take part in the recruitment process. This includes supporting individuals who have a disability by making reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. We are also able to provide support to candidates who require adjustments to the assessment process due to more temporary difficulties (e.g. linked to a recent injury).

We will ask you within your application form if you would like to request reasonable adjustments. If you feel you require any kind of support and/or would like to discuss this with someone, please indicate ‘yes’ to requesting reasonable adjustments.

We understand that the support requested will be unique to every candidate and we will work with you to help you to identify your individual requirements.

We make reasonable adjustments so that all candidates are given a fair opportunity to undertake the recruitment process. Therefore, disclosing information regarding your disability or access requirements will have no impact on the outcome of your application, regardless of your request or the role you have applied to.

How we can support you

There are many types of reasonable adjustments that can be made during assessment processes, and the type or combination you choose to request will depend on your individual requirements.

Examples of some types of adjustments include:

• Extra time to complete assessments;

• Providing a break within an assessment;

• Providing interview questions in a written format at the interview as well as orally;

• An interview at a certain time;

• Coloured overlays or different fonts for assessment materials.

This is not intended to be an exhaustive list but rather some examples. Whilst we aim to confirm all adjustments requested, there may be occasions where this isn’t possible. For example, if a candidate were to request that they are not assessed on a specific behaviour outlined in the job advert this would not be possible because the behaviour has been identified as important for the job role and all candidates are assessed against this criterion. If an adjustment cannot be provided, the reasons for this will be explained to you during your contact with the reasonable adjustment scheme team.

Help with your application

During the application process, we will ask you if you require reasonable adjustments. It is important you tell us as early as possible if you would like to request reasonable adjustments so that the recruitment process runs smoothly for you.

If you do decide during the process that you do require adjustments and you have not completed all your assessments, please contact the SCS recruitment team in advance of your next assessment.

If you need any help with your application, please contact the SCS recruitment team at scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk.

What should I do if I think that I have a conflict of interest?

Candidates must note the requirement to declare any interests that might cause questions to be raised about their approach to the business of the Department.

If you believe that you may have a conflict of interest, please contact SCS Recruitment on scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk before submitting your application.

Data Sharing

We will ensure that we will treat all personal information in accordance with data protection legislation, including the General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018.

Data Sharing

To process your application your personal data will be shared with the Ministry of Justice SCS Recruitment Team, campaign Panel Members and anyone else necessary as part of the recruitment process.

The legal basis for processing your personal data is:

Processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest. Personal data are processed in the public interest because understanding civil servant experiences and feelings about working in the Civil Service can inform decision taken to improve these experiences, and ultimately organisation performance.

Sensitive personal data is personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, or trade union membership, and the processing of genetic data, biometric data for the purpose of uniquely identifying a natural person, data concerning health or data concerning a natural person's sex life or sexual orientation.

The legal basis for processing your sensitive personal data is:

1. Processing is necessary for reasons of substantial public interest for the exercise of a function of the Crown, a Minister of the Crown, or a government department: it is important to know if groups of staff with specific demographic characteristics have a better or worse experience of working for the Civil Service, so that appropriate action can be taken to level this experience;

2. Processing is of a specific category of personal data and it is necessary for the purposes of identifying or keeping under review the existence or absence of equality of opportunity or treatment between groups of people with a view to enabling such equality to be promoted or maintained.

3. Please note if you are successful in your application your sensitive personal data will be used as part of the on-boarding process to build your employee record.

For further information please see the GDPR Privacy Notice.

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 D&I Strategy

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