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General Information

Working Pattern
Full Time, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
National
Region
National
Closing Date
02-Nov-2025
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
SCS 1
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
10992

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

The role represents an exciting opportunity to lead a highly regarded organisation and deliver real results. To be successful in the role, the COO will need to have strong management and leadership skills capable of organising, facilitating, motivating members, employees and stakeholders to ensure the day to day running of the Parole Board continues to a high standard.

The COO provides direct leadership to the Functional Hubs which cover the key areas of the operations of the organisation and the majority of employees, so exceptional leadership skills are important. The COO will determine and designate tasks and make decisions about business priorities.

As well as being responsible for a high number of staff, the COO is key to ensuring that ample support is provided to over 350 Parole Board Members ensuring that our members have the tools and support to make effective decisions in Parole reviews.

The COO is responsible for compliance with regulation and laws. As the Parole system is continually changing and adapting, the COO will be required to engage and develop key relationships with stakeholders across the justice system to create and implement solutions when faced with new ways of working.

The COO is accountable for ensuring policies and operational processes and procedures are effective, reviewing and amending as necessary.

A particular sensitive area of the role is interacting with victims. Victims have often experienced unimaginable trauma. The COO will assist the CEO in implementing the Parole Board’s Transparency agenda to ensure that victims are appropriately supported through what is a demanding process whilst respecting the role and independence of the Parole Board.

Additional Information

Please view our candidate information pack for full details about the role, key responsibilities person specification, and the criteria you will be assessed against throughout the recruitment process.

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging.

To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity

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.


Contact Information
If you require any assistance please contact us on scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk. Please quote the job reference in your email to enable us to support you more quickly.

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
Please provide a statement to evidence how you meet the essential criteria required for the role:
• Proven leadership skills including leading a senior leadership team with the ability to provide clear direction and set business priorities in an operational environment
• Extensive experience at a senior level of strategic planning and change management as a result of both internal and external factors
• Experience of successfully managing multi-faceted internal and external stakeholder relationships, including working with partners to delivery shared objectives.
• Demonstrable experience of budget management at a senior level.
• Experience of engaging with change, reforms, and policy, while upholding an organisation’s reputation and independence.
• Demonstrable experience of high levels of influence
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Expected Friday 21 November 2025
Behaviours
Leadership
Delivering at Pace
Managing a Quality Service
Developing Self and Others
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.

Other Assessments

Which assessment methods will be used?
Presentation
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
Security Clearance (SC)