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General Information

Salary
The national salary is £42,914 - £46,182, London salary is £49,325 - £53,081. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
Cardiff, London
Region
London, Wales
Closing Date
05-Jan-2026
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
SEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
12693

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Wales Office

Job Description for Head of the Directors Office and Governance Lead

Job Title

Head of the Director’s Office and Governance Lead

Pay Grade

SEO

Salary

£42,914 - £46,182 (National) / £49,325 - £53,081 (London) (plus £7,149 Private Secretary allowance)

Location

Ty William Morgan, Cardiff, CF10 1EP / Gwydyr House, London, SW1A 2NP

Reports to

Deputy Principal Private Secretary

Contract

Permanent

Clearance

SC (See Additional Information)

Background

This is a rewarding and challenging role as Head of Director’s Office and Governance Lead, ensuring priorities are met, reporting mechanisms are functioning smoothly and departmental governance requirements are managed effectively. Based within the Private Office, you will report to the Deputy Principal Private Secretary – who also leads the Ministerial Office – and will deputise for them as necessary to give support to the wider team.

The Wales Office is the face of the UK Government in Wales and the voice of Wales in Westminster. We support the Secretary of State for Wales and the Ministerial team in representing Wales at the heart of Government. With offices in London and Cardiff, we work in partnership with other Government Departments and stakeholders to deliver a stronger Wales within a strong and prosperous United Kingdom.

About the job

This is an exciting time to take on the leadership of the Director’s Office and to lead on departmental governance. With the Wales Office recruiting a new Director for the first time in 13 years, this is an opportunity for an outstanding candidate to shape the way in which a new Director engages with the wider department, across government and with key stakeholders.

You will play a crucial part in ensuring the new Director is able to hit the ground running by developing effective communication lines between the Director and the ministerial offices, the senior leadership team, and the wider department. You will need to be confident in your approach as you support them to develop ways of working and institute change across the Department following the outcome of the Spending Review.

Leading on governance, you will work directly with the senior leadership and ministerial teams, to provide expert support, advice, and guidance. You will have responsibility for the business planning process (including the Outcome Delivery Plan), working collaboratively with colleagues and coordinating internal and external reporting with the Cabinet Office and No10. In addition, you will provide support to the Departmental Board and Committees. You will have responsibility for overseeing the department’s strategic risk register.

You will need to be decisive and confident, working autonomously to drive forward departmental objectives often at pace. You will need solid decision-making skills and be proactive at taking your own initiative, with the ability to work in an environment that is subject to ongoing change.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Lead the Director’s Office, communicating the priorities of the Director to the wider department effectively.
  • Ensure a coherent governance programme for the Department, providing support and co-ordination across the Boards and Committees.
  • Contribute to the design, delivery, and upkeep of strategic products such as the Department’s Outcome Delivery Plan, Strategic Risk Register, and the Department’s reporting trackers.
  • Prepare and maintain a set of regular reporting products for the Departmental Board, Audit and Risk Assurance Committee, Cabinet Office, and Number 10.
  • Lead on cross-cutting departmental policy issues such as resilience and civil contingency planning.
  • Manage the Director’s time to ensure that meetings and engagements are relevant and productive, and commission briefings that are focused and appropriate.
  • Work with Permanent Secretaries’ Offices across Whitehall to gather intelligence, insight and increase awareness of policies and priorities.
  • Act as an interlocutor between the Director’s Office and the Ministerial Offices.
  • Build strong internal relationships with Ministers, SpAds and departmental teams; and externally across UK and Welsh governments, and with key stakeholders to gain credibility for the Secretary of State for Wales and the Department.
  • Line management responsibilities may be required.
  • Act as a leader - helping to develop the right culture and behaviours - and support individuals to do well in their roles.
  • Be a visible team player by pitching in and helping out with whatever might need doing around the office
  • Contribute to corporate activities outside your immediate sphere of responsibility.

You will need to be prepared to work some evenings and weekends as part of a Private Office rota, and as such this role attracts an SEO Private Secretary allowance currently set at £7,149.

This role will involve regular travel between the London and Cardiff offices and across Wales. To support wellbeing and encourage collaboration, there is an expectation for staff to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time working face to face with their colleagues either at the office or on official business.

Person specification:

Please evidence in your Statement of Suitability, how closely you match the essential criteria:

Essential Criteria:

  • Strong inspiring leadership, working in collaboration with a range of colleagues whilst enabling colleagues to deliver
  • Ability to adapt to changing demands and conditions, and a readiness to make decisions, take the initiative and take action where needed
  • Ability to operate with political understanding in a complex environment of change and uncertainty
  • Attention to detail with an ability to produce work with a high level of accuracy.
  • Ability to think strategically, prioritise, problem solve and set direction.

Desirable criteria:

  • Experience in analysing, assessing, and reporting on governance and departmental activity.
  • Relevant qualification in corporate governance / planning
  • Welsh Language skills.

Recruitment Process

This campaign will be undertaken using the Civil Service Success Profile framework. You will need to provide evidence in your application to cover the following behaviours:

  • Communicating and Influencing (Lead Behaviour) (Application & Interview)
  • Managing a Quality Service (Application & Interview)
  • Delivering at Pace (Interview Only)
  • Seeing the Big Picture (Interview Only)

In the event of a high volume of applicants, we will sift only on the lead behaviour to create a shortlist for interview.

Strengths may also be assessed at interview, but these are not shared in advance.

Candidates are also required to provide a Statement of Suitability (as stated above) which details how they match the essential criteria for the role.

Additional Information

The Wales Office is not an employer in its own right and staff recruited to work at the Wales Office will be employees of the Ministry of Justice who provide employment services on our behalf.

This role requires SC level clearance. Applicants for National Security Clearance (SC) must be resident in the UK for 5 years immediately prior to their application for Security Clearance. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years), you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why.

If you do not meet the above requirement, you may still be considered for the role if, for example:

  • You have been serving overseas with HM Armed Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government.
  • You were studying abroad.
  • You were living overseas with parents.
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 - 12693

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

Allowance

SEO Private Secretary Allowance - £7,149

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
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.
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Communicating and Influencing
Managing a Quality Service
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
Statement of Suitability
Evidence of Experience
Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Interviews expected end of January 2026
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Managing a Quality Service
Delivering at Pace
Seeing the Big Picture
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.
Level of security checks required
Security Clearance (SC)

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.