Role Title

Head of Estates Transformation (G7)

Job family group

Property Directorate

Job family/ies

Strategy

Grade

G7

Status

For internal use

Role Purpose

(250 words max)

The Head of Estates Transformation will lead the modernisation of the HMCTS estate, ensuring our buildings are flexible, efficient and fit for purpose to support the effective delivery of justice. The role will drive the planning and delivery of major investment and improvement programmes, ensuring that estates transformation delivers measurable operational and user benefits.

Working within the Property Directorate, you will provide strategic and delivery leadership across capital projects and estate transformation activity, supported by robust analysis, business cases and performance insight. You will work closely with colleagues across Strategy, PPMO, Asset Management, Capital and regional operational teams to ensure investment aligns with long-term priorities and value for money.

Key Accountabilities (600 words max)

• Lead the transformation and modernisation of the HMCTS estate, ensuring major investments deliver flexible, sustainable and fit-for-purpose buildings.

• Oversee the delivery of major capital and refurbishment programmes, aligning estates investment with operational priorities and MoJ/HMCTS objectives.

• Shape and drive the estates transformation pipeline, identifying opportunities to rationalise, repurpose and modernise the estate.

• Provide strategic and financial leadership for estates business cases, investment bids and programme governance.

• Use robust data and analysis to inform investment decisions and track the impact of transformation on estate performance.

• Build strong relationships with senior operational, judicial and departmental stakeholders to ensure alignment and effective delivery.

• Represent HMCTS with authority on estates transformation and investment matters across government and external partners.

• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing, geographically dispersed team, modelling Civil Service values and promoting a culture of delivery and inclusion

Knowledge, Skills and Experience (500 words max)

Essential Skills and Experience

• Proven experience leading or delivering major estates, capital investment or transformation projects across a complex property portfolio.

• Strong understanding of asset management, investment planning and property performance, including sustainability and compliance considerations.

• Demonstrable experience in programme and project delivery, including developing business cases and options appraisals.

• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to engage confidently at senior levels.

• Skilled at analysing data and evidence to inform investment decisions and track performance.

• Experienced people leader, able to motivate and develop a geographically dispersed team.

• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving ability, with a focus on delivery and continuous improvement.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Understanding of government business case and investment approval processes (e.g. Green Book, HMT approvals).

• Knowledge of modern estates technologies and sustainability standards supporting flexible, future-ready workplaces.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and develop clear, evidence-based insights to inform decisions.

Problem Solving and Decision Making (300 words max)

• Operates in a complex and fast-paced environment, making high-quality decisions that shape the transformation and investment direction of the HMCTS estate.

• Analyses a wide range of information — including operational requirements, estate condition data, performance evidence, financial constraints and stakeholder input — to develop clear, evidence-based recommendations.

• Balances competing priorities and limited resources to determine the optimal sequencing and scope of investment programmes.

• Applies structured problem-solving approaches to assess issues, identify root causes and develop practical, proportionate and innovative solutions.

• Demonstrates strong judgement in making decisions that carry significant operational, financial and reputational impact for HMCTS and the wider Ministry of Justice.

• Leads the development and evaluation of business cases and investment options, ensuring decisions are robust, transparent and aligned with strategic objectives.

• Uses data and analysis to test assumptions, quantify benefits, and monitor the impact of transformation decisions on estate performance and service outcomes.

• Anticipates risks and opportunities early, developing mitigation plans and adapting approach in response to emerging challenges.

• Works collaboratively across disciplines — including asset management, capital delivery, finance and operations — to ensure decisions are well-informed and owned collectively.

• Models inclusive and ethical decision-making, ensuring that options are considered objectively, stakeholders are engaged appropriately, and advice to senior leaders is clear and evidence-driven.

• Creates a culture of openness and continuous improvement, encouraging teams to learn from experience, share insight, and refine decision-making processes over time.

Management of Resources (250 words max)

• The role holder may have line management responsibilities within this role

• The role holder is not expected to manage a budget but support the Property Directorate in achieving value for money and support the directorate by advising on investment decisions.

• The role will ensure the most appropriate resources are available for colleagues to use to do their job effectively, providing guidance and support were required.

Autonomy (250 words max)

• The role will work in a small team, but with regular engagement and collaboration with the Senior Management Team, wider Property Directorate, and colleagues across MoJ.

• The role will report to the Estates Strategy and Policy Lead (G6) with a proportionate level of oversight of work priorities and outputs.

• Operates with a high degree of autonomy, taking ownership of complex estates transformation programmes and making informed decisions within broad strategic parameters.

• Exercises sound judgement, prioritises effectively, and delivers outcomes with minimal supervision while ensuring alignment with departmental objectives, governance standards, and wider organisational priorities.

Key Relationships and Contacts (300 words max)

• Regular engagement with Strategy and Policy Team to agree approach to transformation options.

• Works closely with Asset Management, Capital, Sustainability and FM to align transformation activity with strategic investment priorities and estate performance goals.

• Partners with HMCTS Regional Delivery Directors, operational leads and court managers to ensure estates transformation supports frontline service delivery and user needs.

• Collaborates with colleagues across Finance, Commercial, Digital and Change teams to coordinate investment planning, governance approvals and delivery assurance.

• Engages with HMCTS Executive Team and Property Directorate senior management, providing clear, evidence-based advice to inform strategic decisions and investment proposals.

• Liaises with external suppliers, consultants and contractors to ensure projects are delivered to quality, cost and time standards, and that delivery partners understand HMCTS objectives.

• Represents HMCTS in discussions with the Ministry of Justice, Local Authorities and other departments on estates transformation, funding and policy alignment.

Most contact will be conducted remotely, however there will be some occasions where face-to-face contact, or site visits will be required.