Tara Smith

Joint-Head of Government
Finance Function,

and Chief Operating Officer at Department for Business and Trade

Conrad Smewing

Joint-Head of Government
Finance Function,

and Director General, Public Spending at HM Treasury

Joining us in this role also means becoming part of the Government Finance Function (GFF). So, we wanted to take this opportunity to introduce ourselves.

We’re the GFF, a community made up of all the finance colleagues throughout government. We might work in different organisations, in different locations all over the UK, but one very important mission brings us together: to put finance at the heart of decision making, delivering value for money and strengthening public trust.

We manage big budgets, in big ways. And we do it all together. Which means, even though working with public money is a big responsibility, you’ll never shoulder it alone. We’re always sharing knowledge, expertise and resources with each other. And ensuring everyone within the GFF gets the learning and development they need: from internal training through the Government Finance Academy to support to pursue external qualifications. It makes the GFF a great place to progress your career, with plenty on offer to help you follow your interests and build a future you’re truly excited by.

A community only works if everyone feels they belong. So, diversity, inclusion and wellbeing are always important to us. In fact, they’re the foundation of our future strategy. Plus, we make sure to keep our community connected in lots of different ways: through colleague networks and virtual and in-person events. So, no matter where you’re based, or which organisation you work in, you’ll always feel part of the GFF.

It all adds up to something pretty special. A 10,000+ strong community managing one of the largest balance sheets in the UK. All working together to enable the delivery of high-quality public services, ensure public money is spent efficiently and effectively, and improve lives all throughout the country. That’s quite something. And it’s why we say: there’s strength in numbers.

Find out more about us on our careers site: www.financecareers.civilservice.gov.uk.

A bout the roles

Job Title

Strategic Finance Director

Director of Finance Business Partnering

Location

The MoJ is working to open more Justice Collaboration Centres and Justice Satellite Offices over time. The successful applicant must spend at least 60% of the week working from a MoJ site. Click here to learn more about MoJ’s offices.

MoJ will agree a contractual base location upon appointment. Travel from home to the contractual base will not be reimbursable by the business as per the MOJ T&S Policy. Travel to London will be required to attend specific meetings but this will not be regular, frequency will depend on business need.

Salary

The salaries for these roles are set within the MoJ SCS PB2 range.

External candidates should expect their salary upon appointment to be £100,000 - £125,000 per annum. Existing Civil Servants will be appointed in line with the Civil Service pay rules in place on the date of their appointment.

Contract Type

These roles are being offered on a permanent basis.

These roles have a minimum assignment duration of 3 years - in line with the deliverables identified. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by.

The Roles

Director of Strategic Finance

You will lead the development of our long-term financial strategy and hold the institutional relationship with HM Treasury. You will ensure our financial planning processes are robust, credible and aligned with ministerial priorities. This post will also take responsibility for some business partnering functions including MoJ Headquarters.

Director of Finance Business Partnering

You will be central to linking operational decision-making with the Department’s wider financial framework, including HM Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS), helping ensure resources are used to maximum effect.

Key Responsibilities

Both role holders will:

Provide strategic leadership to the MoJ finance function alongside the Director for Financial Management and Control, creating a strong cultural identity, driving cohesion and collaboration across the MoJ Finance Function, empowering staff, promoting accountability and the autonomy to deliver internal and external objectives
Ensure that all financial activity meets the standards of set out in Managing Public Money.
Act as a trusted adviser to ministers, the Permanent Secretary, and senior officials, shaping financial choices and trade-offs across competing priorities.
Strengthen financial capability across the Department through effective workforce planning, professional development and talent management.
Represent MoJ Finance in cross-government finance networks, building collaborative relationships with HM Treasury, Cabinet Office and other departments.
Inspire staff through exemplifying the organisation's values as part of the senior leadership team, driving staff engagement and promotion inclusion and diversity.
Ensure that the department's medium and long-term financial plan reflects our priorities, represents good value for money and enables delivery of our outcomes.
Work closely with operational leaders and the Executive team to identify efficiencies, manage risks, and inform investment decisions that support public safety and rehabilitation outcomes.
Provide data-led and insight-driven finance business partnering to Directors General and CEOs on the development and implementation of priorities, commercial and policy decisions and the delivery of change programmes.
Lead an effective challenge function to improve operational delivery and sustainability and strong relationships with functional leads across the department to provide a joined-up set of services to operational leaders.
Ensure the effective delivery and value for money of the Department's major programmes and contracts and providing high quality Accounting Officer Advice to agency Accounting Officers and the Principal Accounting Officer.

You can apply for both or either role, and the panel may match successful candidates to roles based on experience and skills. Your statement of suitability should make clear which role you are applying to. A choice may be offered to the highest scoring candidate.

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:

Director of Strategic Finance

Demonstrable experience of leading organisation-wide financial strategy and medium- to long-term financial planning in a complex system, including developing credible, evidence-led financial positions and securing agreement with senior funding bodies, commissioners or external partners to align resources with priorities and long-term sustainability.

Director of Finance Business Partnering

Proven experience of leading finance teams in large-scale, operational delivery environments of significant complexity, combining strategic insight with hands-on delivery leadership to support senior leaders to manage performance, address delivery risks, and drive sustained improvement in outcomes across complex systems.

Both roles

Excellent financial and analytical skills, with credibility across all aspects of finance and experience appyling sound judgement to complex financial, performance and value-for-money decisions in large, complex organisations.
Ability to influence and make an impact credibly at senior levels with ministers, office holders, senior board executives or equivalent. Demonstrates excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including building and maintaining broad diverse networks and relationships, especially across organisations and systems.
Strong analytical curiosity and challenge mindset using financial and wider performance analysis to promote transparency, challenge the status quo to reduce system costs.
A proven track record of excellent leadership as part of a senior management team with an ability to build capability, develop people and lead high-performing diverse teams.
The ability to translate complex and dynamic political priorities into clear direction, maintaining momentum and delivery focus in fast-pace, ambiguous and evolving contexts.
Full CCAB, CIMA, or equivalent professional accountancy qualification.

Civil Service Leadership Statement:

All leaders within the Civil Service are expected to demonstrate the qualities within the Civil Service Leadership Statement during their Stakeholder Engagement Exercise.

Application

You can apply for both or either role, and the panel may match successful candidates to roles based on experience and skills. Your statement of suitability should clearly state which role you are applying to, or alternatively that you would like to be considered for both roles. A choice may be offered to the highest scoring candidate.

To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application process no later than 23:55 on 15 February 2026 and will involve uploading the two documents outlined below:

Document details:

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.
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 roles, with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification.
As part of the application process, you will be required to complete your diversity information. All monitoring data will be treated in the strictest confidence and will not be provided to the selection panel. We capture this information to monitor our internal vacancy filling processes with a view to ensuring that we continue to build a talented workforce with diverse perspectives and backgrounds.
In addition to diversity information, you will be asked whether you wish to apply for the roles as part of the Disability Confident Scheme. For more information about the scheme, please see the FAQs section.

Please submit and complete all of the documents listed so that the panel will have all the required information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification. Please note failure to submit a CV and Statement of Suitability will result in your application not being considered for these roles.

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

scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk.

Selection Process

Elizabeth Hambley, a Civil Service Commissioner, will chair the process. The Civil Service Commission has two primary functions:

Providing assurance that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition. For the most senior posts in the Civil Service, the Commission discharges its responsibilities directly by overseeing the recruitment process and by a Commissioner chairing the selection panel.
Hearing and determining appeals made by civil servants under the Civil Service Code which sets out the Civil Service values - Impartiality, Objectivity, Integrity and Honesty - and forms part of the relationship between civil servants and their employer.

More detailed information can be found on the Civil Service Commission website.

In addition to the Civil Service Commissioner the panel will include Amy Holmes, Interim Chief Operating Officer. Other panel members will be confirmed in due course.

Shortlist

The panel will assess your application to select those demonstrating the best fit with both roles by considering the evidence you have provided against the criteria set out on page 9.

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

Unfortunately, due to the anticipated number of applicants for this role, we are unable to provide feedback to those not successful at shortlist stage. Candidates who are shortlisted and attend an interview will be offered verbal feedback from a member of the interview panel.

Internal Stakeholder Conversations

You will be given the opportunity speak to Amy Holmes prior to the final interview to learn more about the roles and the organisation. Please note this is not part of the formal assessment process.

Assessment

If you are shortlisted, you will be asked to take part in a Stakeholder Engagement Exercise. This assessment will not result in a pass or fail decision. Rather, it is designed to support the panel’s decision making and highlight areas for the panel to explore further at interview. Further information on the exercise will be provided to shortlisted candidates.

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 9. Please note, you may be asked to complete a presentation on a topic chosen by the panel or engage in a scenario exercise 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.

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.

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

We will try and offer as much flexibility as we can, but it may not be possible to offer alternative dates for assessments or interviews. You are therefore asked to note the below timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process, in order to meet the dates given. Please note that these dates may be subject to change.

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

Yes.

Are these roles suitable for part-time working?

These roles are 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 roles involve travel?

If the successful candidate is not London based, travel to London will be needed several times a month.

Where will the roles be based?

The base location of these posts 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.

What are the nationality requirements for these roles?

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

UK nationals
Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
Nationals of Commonwealth countries
Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with (or eligible for) status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

For further information on whether you are eligible to apply, please visit Gov.UK.

Reserved for UK Nationals

Certain posts might be reserved for British citizens, this is not a reserved post.

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.

Do you offer a Disability Confident Scheme for Disabled Persons?

Disabled applicants who meet the minimum selection criteria in the job specification are guaranteed an interview. Selection will be on merit. If you wish to claim a guaranteed interview under the Disability Commitment, you should complete the relevant section of the online application. It is not necessary to state the nature of your disability.

Do you offer a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for Veterans?

Yes. The Great Place to Work for Veterans scheme aims to encourage more veterans to join the Civil Service when they leave the armed forces.

Veteran applicants who meet the minimum selection criteria in the job specification are guaranteed an interview. Selection will be on merit. If you wish to claim a guaranteed interview under the Great Place to Work for Veterans scheme, you should complete the relevant section of the online application.

What do I do if I want to make a complaint?

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.

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 and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk in the first instance.

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order.

To Shared Service-Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 08.00 - 18.00) or e-mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com)
To Ministry of Justice Resourcing (resourcing-services@justice.gov.uk)
To the Civil Service Commission (https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/contact-us/)

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.

Will this recruitment be overseen by the Civil Service Commission?

Yes. As these roles are two of the more senior posts within the Civil Service, a Commissioner will oversee the recruitment process and chair the selection panel. More detailed information can be found on the Civil Service Commission website.

Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing

Our departmental values - purpose, humanity, openness and together - are at the heart of our commitment to create a culture where all our people are able to thrive and flourish in the workplace.

We want to attract and retain the best talent from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. We want everyone to be the best of themselves, to feel supported and have a strong sense of belonging in the workplace. Our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce is reflected in all of our people policies and strategies.

Benefits

As a Ministry of Justice employee, you’ll be entitled to a large range of benefits which include but are not limited to:

Pension

The Civil Service Pension Scheme is one of the best workplace pension schemes in the UK public sector. Visit www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk for more details.
Generous Annual Leave and Bank Holiday Allowance
25 days annual leave on entry, increasing on a sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service. This is in addition to 8 public holidays. This will be complemented by one further day paid privilege entitlement to mark the King’s Birthday.

Flexible Working

While not every type of flexible working will be suitable for every role and business area, flexible working can take many forms and The Ministry of Justice is committed to delivering its business effectively and sustainably by creating modern and inclusive workplaces that enable smart, flexible and hybrid working.

For more information on our amazing benefits including our Civil Service Pension Scheme, annual and special leave, and our Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing schemes please visit our Senior Civil Service website.

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:

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;

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.
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.

Should candidates have any questions before submitting an application, please contact SCS Recruitment on scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk.

Advert Closing Date	23:55 on 15 February 2026
Shortlist Meeting	Week commencing 23 February 2026
Interviews	Early March 2026