Judicial Communications Team, Judicial Office.

SEO - Senior Communications Manager

The Judicial Communications team for judges and magistrates is looking for an experienced communications professional to add to a reliable and innovative communications team based at the Royal Courts of Justice.

Judicial Office

The Judicial Office (JO) reports to, and is accountable, to the Lady Chief Justice (LCJ). It was established in 2006 to provide support to the LCJ and to the wider judiciary in upholding the rule of law and in delivering justice impartially, speedily and efficiently, following the Constitutional Reform Act 2005.

In addition, we support, and are accountable to, the Senior President of Tribunals, whose responsibilities extend to Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The JO is an interesting and unique place to work. Everything we do is in support of upholding the independence and impartiality of the judiciary. We work closely with HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and others across Government as well as with the legal professions.

We are an Arm’s Length Body sponsored by the Ministry of Justice. This creates an interesting and complex environment in which to work where we agree our priorities with the senior judiciary and receive our funding to deliver them from the Ministry of Justice. The Judicial Office has been through a period of significant growth resulting from an expansion of our remit and responsibilities.

See JO staff talk about working here: https://design102.wistia.com/medias/uhgtmbtnlv

Background

Magistrates are a vital part of the justice system and central to reducing the criminal court backlog. Following the Independent Review of Criminal Courts, strengthening the resilience and capacity of magistrates’ courts is a critical priority for the Judiciary, Ministers, and the MoJ Board.

Most criminal cases start—and around 95% conclude—in magistrates’ courts, making a sufficient, skilled and diverse magistracy essential. The Magistrates Uplift programme will ensure we have the magistrates we need and brings together the Judiciary, the Ministry of Justice, HMCTS, magistrates themselves and key partners such as the Magistrates Association.

This high‑profile programme aims to increase magistrate numbers by 50% to reach 21,000 by 2028/29. It is closely overseen by Ministers and the judiciary.

The Job

Reporting directly to the Head of Judicial Communications and supported by a Communications Officer, you will work across the communications team to lead on high-profile internal and external communications focused on the recruitment and retention of magistrates and the implementation of other changes predominantly arising from Sir Brian Leveson’s review of criminal courts.

The Judicial Communications team are responsible for providing information via a range of communication channels to all judges and magistrates. They are also responsible for managing judiciary.uk and contributing to a dedicated magistrates recruitment website and associated content aimed at the public.

You will be expected to work closely with the judicial press office and ministry of justice. You will also be expected to suggest innovative new campaign and content ideas and lead on their implementation, while ensuring the co-ordination of communications relating to changes happening across all jurisdictions.

The successful candidate will:

1. Provide expert strategic communications advice and support to senior leaders and judges

2. Plan, deliver and evaluate communications strategies and campaigns for the areas in their portfolio, using the full range of internal and external communication channels to build awareness and influence behaviours.

3. Manage and provide direction to one Communications Officer (HIO/HEO)

4. Identify opportunities for delivering magistrates recruitment and retention communications activity using a range of internal and external channels in a strategic manner

5. Lead on the production and coordination of communications regarding changes to the judiciary arising from the Courts and Tribunals Bill and any subsequent legislation

6. Produce and edit engaging written and filmed content

7. Ensure content on the judicial intranet and website is up to date and tailored to different audiences

8. Work closely with the press team, the wider JO, HMCTS and MoJ staff to deliver messages across channels and extend our reach to target audiences

9. Evaluate and report on communications activity and outcomes, using insights to enhance how we engage with our targeted audience and apply any findings to shape future strategies

10. Work with external suppliers and design agencies to design and deliver content where appropriate

11. There may also be potential to participate in the social media out of hours rota, for which an additional allowance is paid.

Skills & Qualifications

Essential

The successful candidate must:

12. Have experience in designing and delivering effective communications campaigns to build awareness and influence behaviours, from start to finish

13. Possess creativity and keenness to develop and deliver innovative communications, using digital and offline channels

14. Have experience of creating and delivering engaging content for digital platforms

15. Have strong oral and written communication skills

16. Be confident in using audience insight and evaluation to inform communication strategies

17. Have strong videography/filming and editing experience

18. Have excellent organisational and communications planning skills and a strong attention to detail

19. Contribute, as required, to the preparation and delivery of the projects of all other team members.

Desirable

Experience of working in the field of justice

Experience of delivering communications to support change, including behaviour change.

Line management experience

Behaviours

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

20. Communicating and Influencing

21. Seeing the Big Picture

22. Delivering at Pace

23. Making Effective Decisions

You are encouraged to become familiar with the Government Communications Framework (Government Communication Service (GCS) competencies), as you may be assessed against any of the technical criteria recorded within at SEO level, particularly under the ‘Campaigns/Marketing and Internal Communications’ disciplines.

To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application form no later than 30 April. The application will include:

1.A CV setting out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant to the person specification for this role, including details where applicable of numbers of people managed, relevant achievements in recent posts, together with reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
2. A statement of suitability (max 1,000 words) explaining why you are interested in this role and provide further evidence of how you meet at least each of the ‘Essential’ criteria of the person specification and any other relevant points.

Interviews/assessments are likely to be held week commencing 18 May.

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.

The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include an interview based on the behaviours and communications competencies set out above. Candidates invited to interview will be asked to deliver a 5 minute presentation outlining the approach they would take to a low-cost campaign promoting “the value of volunteering as a magistrate".

Hybrid Working Requirement

This position is eligible for hybrid working (current minimum requirement for time spent at base location is 60%, which is subject to business requirements).

This Role is linked to the Magistrates Uplift programme. It is funded for 3 years. Existing Civil Servants may apply for it either as a Loan or for a Fixed Term.