Skip to content

General Information

Working Pattern
Full Time, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
National
Region
National
Closing Date
07-Jun-2026
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
SCS 1
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
17515

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

The Role

The Deputy Director – Estates Planning, Strategy and Performance is a senior leadership role within the HMCTS Property Directorate, responsible for shaping the long-term development and strategic direction of one of government’s most complex operational estates.

Working closely with the Property Director and the Director of Strategy, Analysis and Change, the postholder will lead the delivery of a cohesive, data-driven Estate Strategy that reflects HMCTS’s changing needs over the Spending Review period and beyond. They will provide strategic leadership across estate capacity, investment, utilisation, and optimisation – underpinned by robust data, insight, and evidence.

The role offers a significant opportunity to influence the future of the HMCTS estate. The postholder will ensure that investment decisions deliver maximum value for money, embed continuous improvement, and enable modern, accessible justice services – including digital and remote delivery. They will oversee estate performance through benchmarking and analytics, stabilising and consolidating operations where appropriate, reducing risk, and ensuring safe, reliable, and sustainable service delivery.

A core part of the role is responsibility for 13 Private Finance Initiative (PFI) court buildings. The postholder will ensure these assets operate efficiently, meet contractual obligations, and align with HMCTS objectives. As contracts approach expiry, they will lead the complex transition of assets and services back to HMCTS, managing legal, commercial, and operational risks to safeguard continuity and long-term value.

This is a pivotal leadership role at a time of transformation. The successful candidate will provide visible strategic direction, champion innovation and sustainability, and foster an inclusive, high-performing culture. Their work will directly support HMCTS’s vision of a more efficient and effective justice system, delivering real public value and access to justice for all.

Additional Information

In the event we receive a high volume of applications, we will conduct the initial sift against the following lead criteria:

Lead Criteria: Developing and delivering major investment strategies and business cases, applying financial appraisal frameworks (e.g. Green Book).

Lead Criteria: Using data, insight, and performance analysis to inform strategic decision-making and optimise estates

Please view our candidate information pack for full details about the role, key responsibilities, person specification, and the criteria you will be assessed against throughout the recruitment process.

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
Please provide a statement to evidence how you meet the essential experience required for the role.
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Week commencing 29th June 2026
Behaviours
Seeing the Big Picture
Changing and Improving
Making Effective Decisions
Leadership

Other Assessments

Which assessment methods will be used?
Presentation
Level of security checks required
Security Clearance (SC)

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.