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General Information

Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
National
Region
National
Closing Date
25-Jan-2026
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
SCS 2
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
12847

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

We are seeking a Director of Planning, Performance and risk to deliver a step-change in how the department undertakes internal performance management and to set high standards and innovate to improve delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer you will be accountable for:

  • An intelligence-led, end-to-end process that oversees departmental-wide performance and improvement plans via the newly-established Justice Performance Board.
  • Development of the Justice Delivery Plan, translating ministerial priorities into measurable outcomes and supporting their delivery.
  • The performance process for ExCo and ministers, including ownership of the MoJ's performance dashboard and producing regular, insight-driven reports.
  • The Departmental Operations Centre (DOC), ensuring business continuity, resilience and preparedness for major incidents.
  • The Risk Management and Governance Centres of Expertise, facilitating a continuously improving approach to risk management and information flows throughout the department, ensuring that our decisions are well-informed.

Essential Criteria

It 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:

  • A credible and experienced senior leader, with a strong track record of delivering strategic and operational outcomes and systems leadership across complex, multi-agency delivery landscapes.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead high-performing inclusive teams through change, including during periods of organisational review, transition, or uncertainty.
  • Excellent understanding of performance management, planning and delivery assurance in complex organisations.
  • Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to present complex information credibly and clearly to ministers and senior stakeholders, inspiring confidence and securing buy-in across all levels of the organisation.
  • Proven ability to work across organisational boundaries, building collaboration and shared ownership of outcomes.
  • Sound judgement and resilience in managing risk and balancing pace with quality assurance.

Desirable Criteria:

  • Experience of leading major business planning or performance improvement functions in the public sector.
  • Familiarity with central government governance and performance and risks reporting frameworks.

Additional Information
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
It 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:
- A credible and experienced senior leader, with a strong track record of delivering strategic and operational outcomes and systems leadership across complex, multi-agency delivery landscapes.
- Demonstrated ability to lead high-performing inclusive teams through change, including during periods of organisational review, transition, or uncertainty.
- Excellent understanding of performance management, planning and delivery assurance in complex organisations.
- Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to present complex information credibly and clearly to ministers and senior stakeholders, inspiring confidence and securing buy-in across all levels of the organisation.
- Proven ability to work across organisational boundaries, building collaboration and shared ownership of outcomes.
- Sound judgement and resilience in managing risk and balancing pace with quality assurance.

Desirable Criteria:
- Experience of leading major business planning or performance improvement functions in the public sector.
- Familiarity with central government governance and performance and risks reporting frameworks.
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
11th - 12th February 2026
Behaviours
Leadership
Communicating and Influencing
Seeing the Big Picture
Changing and Improving
Delivering at Pace

Other Assessments

Which assessment methods will be used?
Presentation, SEE
Level of security checks required
Developed Vetting (DV)

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.