Criminal Justice System Data Development Lead
Location: National*
Closing Date: 16th February 2026
Interviews: Week commencing 9th March 2026
Grade: MoJ Grade 7
(MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain this grade on lateral transfer)
Salary:
National £58,511 - £65,329
London £63,343 - £70,725
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Job Share, Flexible working
Contract Type: Permanent
Vacancy number: 14380
*We offer a hybrid working model, allowing for a balance between remote work and time spent in your local office. Office locations can be found ON THIS MAP
We’re recruiting for a Criminal Justice System Data Development Lead here at Justice Data, to be part of our warm and collaborative Criminal Justice System and Victims Data division.
About Justice Data
We are passionate about improving justice outcomes through high quality data and analysis helping to ensure strategic, policy, finance, corporate and operational decisions are based on robust evidence.
We create a culture in which people are empowered with the data and information to make excellent decisions; using cutting edge tools, techniques and collaboration; putting evidence at the heart of the justice system.
We work in a dynamic and fast-paced context and our skills are in heavy demand across the Ministry of Justice. Our collaborations beyond government are seen as ground-breaking. The Data community is made up of analysts and specialists including: Social Researchers, Economists, Operational Researchers, Statisticians, Data Engineers, Data Scientists and other data specialists (such as data strategists, data dissemination, generalists and assurance experts).
Why work in Justice Data?
In Justice Data, we want all our people to feel valued for who they are and for the work they do. We provide a warm, inclusive place to work and offer a wide range of flexibilities and benefits as part of our people offer to reward our staff.
About the CJS and Victims Data Team
Criminal Justice System (CJS) and Victims Data aims to improve how we use data across the CJS. In the short-term, we will do this by developing innovative new cross-system tools and projects alongside foundational activities that improve data standards, data sharing and data literacy. In the longer-term, we are working with stakeholders across the CJS to design the long-term strategy for CJS data.
The challenge
There is huge appetite to improve how we link, share and access data across the CJS, from Ministers and Permanent Secretary level, all the way down to operational users.
There is huge potential for using cross-CJS data to improve our collective understanding of the system and to drive better decision-making. We are the team that drives this ambitious strategic change, delivering innovative data projects and having impact and influence across the CJS data space - making this an incredibly exciting team to be in!
Why this is a great team to work in?
The potential impact of our work is huge. We are aiming to deliver trailblazing ambitions that have never been done before, which will make a major impact on decision making across the CJS. For example, development of our xCJS linked data will open up a world of data that hasn't been explored before, which will greatly enhance our understanding of the CJS. It will directly influence strategic, policy and operational decisions. We are also working with CJS partners to design the future 'target state' for CJS data, which will be bold, ambitious and with a large, impactful remit.
Great opportunity to work cross-government. Our work requires significant engagement and input input from CJS stakeholders including Police, Home Office, Crown Prosecution Service, as well as wider government such as Number 10, Cabinet Office, Treasury, and our MoJ 'umbrella' stakeholders such as HMCTS and HMPPS. Your work will cross department boundaries and will provide excellent opportunity to lead on working jointly with stakeholders to deliver our aims.
CJS Data is prioritising early value delivery through short to medium-term projects that bring tangible data improvements across the CJS. As the leader of the development and delivery of our flagship data products, you will be at the forefront of driving these initiatives forward. Our CJS linked data and Victim Attrition Dashboard are just two of the exciting projects you will oversee, aimed at transforming how data is shared, linked, managed and used between CJS departments. By joining our newly established team, you will play a crucial role in shaping the future of CJS and making a real difference.
As a leader within the CJS Data team, you have the power to lead and inspire others, not only in your immediate team but also in collaborating and influencing key stakeholders across the CJS. This opportunity offers a unique perspective into our partner organisations and the potential to make a significant impact on the criminal justice system as a whole.
Work will include:
Leading the delivery of our xCJS linked data, driving forward it’s design and development and working closely with data scientists, data engineers, data protection teams, and policy experts from across the CJS.
Oversight of emerging data projects that support national and local performance tooling and insight.
Playing a pivotal role in implementing a data-sharing and linking strategy across the CJS.
Supporting early scoping work to design new data literacy initiatives.
Influencing wider CJS work within MoJ to ensure their alignment with our aims.
Producing briefings and presentations on strategic data projects to various cross-CJS and senior audiences.
Championing the team's aims with cross-government stakeholders, developing and maintaining a wide stakeholder network.
Working closely with colleagues across the team contributing towards the long-term strategic vision for CJS data.
If this feels like an exciting challenge, something you are enthusiastic about, and want to join our team please read on and apply!
37 hours per week and flexible working options including working from home, working part-time, job sharing, or working compressed hours.
A £1k per person learning budget is in place to support all our people, with access to best in class conferences and seminars, accreditation with professional bodies, fully funded vocational programmes and e-learning platforms
Staff have 10% time to dedicate to develop & grow
Generous civil service pension based on defined benefit scheme, with employer contributions of 28.97% from April 1st 2024 (Contribution Rates)
25 days leave (plus bank holidays) and 1 privilege day usually taken around the Kings’ birthday. 5 additional days of leave once you have reached 5 years of service.
Compassionate maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave policies, with up to 26 weeks leave at full pay, 13 weeks with partial pay, and 13 weeks further leave. And maternity support/paternity leave at full pay for 2 weeks, too!
Wellbeing support including access to the Calm app.
Nurturing professional and interpersonal networks including those for Carers & Childcare, Gender Equality, PROUD and SPIRIT
Bike loans up to £2500 and secure bike parking (subject to availability and location)
Season ticket loans, childcare vouchers and eye-care vouchers.
5 days volunteering paid leave.
Some offices may have a subsidised onsite Gym.
Essential
Be a strategic problem solver, with experience of influencing the strategic direction of their work area, preferably related to the use of data and technology. Capacity to identify and solve technical challenges and contribute to the development of innovative solutions within the CJS.
Be a confident leader and emotionally intelligent manager able to inspire others to follow them while being highly credible when presenting to senior leadership and/or ministers.
Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills: Experience with building relationships across government, sensitively managing a variety of stakeholders and influencing delivery across multiple organisations.
Data savvy: Strong understanding of the value of evidence & analysis, particularly for the Criminal Justice System - and therefore the importance of high-quality data. Have experience with technical teams and playing a translator role between technical and non-technical teams and stakeholders.
Willingness to be assessed against the requirements for SC clearance
We welcome the unique contribution diverse applicants bring and do not discriminate based on culture, ethnicity, race, nationality or national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, religion or belief, disability status, sexual orientation, educational or social background or any other factor.
Our values are Purpose, Humanity Openness and Together. Find out more here about how we celebrate diversity and an inclusive culture in our workplace.
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 D&I Strategy.
Candidates must submit a CV (no more than 2 pages) and Personal Statement. Your Personal Statement (no more than 750 words) should highlight your relevant experience and skills, supported by clear examples of work you have undertaken. It must address the following criteria, listed within the Person Specification.
Be a strategic problem solver, with experience of influencing the strategic direction of their work area, preferably related to the use of data and technology. Capacity to identify and solve technical challenges and contribute to the development of innovative solutions within the CJS.
Be a confident leader and emotionally intelligent manager able to inspire others to follow them while being highly credible when presenting to senior leadership and/or ministers.
Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills: Experience with building relationships across government, sensitively managing a variety of stakeholders and influencing delivery across multiple organisations.
Data savvy: Strong understanding of the value of evidence & analysis, particularly for the Criminal Justice System - and therefore the importance of high-quality data. Have experience with technical teams and playing a translator role between technical and non-technical teams and stakeholders.
Application Guidance
Please access the following link for guidance on how to apply and how to complete a Personal Statement
Application Guidance
In Justice Data, we recruit using Success Profiles Frameworks. We will assess your Experience, and the following Behaviours during the assessment process:
Communicating and Influencing
Changing and Improving
Working Together
Leadership
A diverse panel will review your application against the Person Specification above.
Successful candidates who meet the required standard will be invited to a one‑hour panel interview held via video call. You will also be asked to prepare a short, five‑minute presentation as part of the interview. We will send you full details and guidance for the presentation ahead of your interview.
Should we receive a high volume of applications, a pre-sift based on the below, will be conducted prior to the sift:
Be a strategic problem solver, with experience of influencing the strategic direction of their work area, preferably related to the use of data and technology. Capacity to identify and solve technical challenges and contribute to the development of innovative solutions within the CJS.
Should you be unsuccessful in the role that you have applied for but demonstrate the capability for a role at a lower level, we reserve the right to discuss this opportunity with you and offer you the position without needing a further application.
A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months, from which further appointments may be made.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
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.
Please review our Terms and Conditions which set out how we recruit and provide further information related to the role and salary arrangements.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact digitalanddatarecruitment@justice.gov.uk