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General Information

Salary
The national salary range is £58,511 - £65,329, London salary range is £63,343 - £70,725 Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
London, National
Region
London, National
Closing Date
08-Jun-2026
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
Grade 7
Number of jobs available
5
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
17937

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Transformation Lead

Grade 7

The Service, Strategy and Transformation Directorate is recruiting on a permanent basis for multiple Grade 7 Transformation Lead roles. This campaign is being run externally and so is open to all who consider themselves suitable for the roles and meet the eligibility criteria in the wider advert within Civil Service Jobs.

Location:

Successful candidates will have the option to be based at one of the following locations:

  • 102 Petty France, London
  • National

We offer a hybrid working model, allowing for a balance between remote work and time spent in your chosen base location.

Ways of Working

At the MoJ we believe and promote alternative ways of working, these roles are available as:

  • Full-time, part-time or the option to job share
  • Flexible working patterns

If we receive applications from more suitable candidates than we have vacancies for at this time, we may hold suitable applicants on a reserve list for 12 months, and future vacancies requiring the same skills and experience could be offered to candidates on the reserve list without a new competition.

We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity

Salary

New entrants to the Civil Service will be expected to join on the minimum of the pay range. 

If you are already a civil servant and are successful in an external recruitment competition for a role with us, your starting pay will be the better of:

  • promotion terms or transfer terms, as appropriate; or
  • pay on appointment arrangements (minimum of pay range)

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ)

MoJ is the largest government department, employing over 90,000 people with a budget of approximately £10 billion. Each year, millions of people use our services across the UK - including at 500 courts and tribunals, and 133 prisons in England and Wales.

Further information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

This role sits within the Service Strategy & Transformation (SS&T) Directorate, within the Service Transformation Group (STG). STG, is responsible for leading the transformation of the services the MoJ and its agencies deliver to the public. Its mission is twofold: to provide the best justice services in the world, powered by the happiest team in government. The SS&T Directorate within STG is responsible for:

  • Service Transformation Strategy: Working across Service Transformation Group, to understand and drive collaboration on current transformation and digital plans; bringing together all areas of STG to collectively create a clear and compelling strategy for delivery over the next 3-5 years; baselining and supporting performance and prioritisation across STG.
  • Transformation Office: Managing the transformation portfolio, including through the Transformation Committee (Director General level); analysing portfolio performance; building transformation programme capabilities; identifying cross-cutting opportunities and issues that block progress towards user outcomes; and recommending rebalancing efforts where needed.
  • Transformation Delivery: Providing end-to-end service transformation delivery support to embed best practice approaches; identifying, encouraging and delivering new ways of working; acting as a critical friend to delivery partners and collaborating with a wider range of stakeholders to improve user outcomes.
  • Innovation Engine: Accelerating systems-wide transformation through high-value investments in digital development and product innovation; piloting initiatives to test new ways of working in cross-functional teams to unlock value through innovation and create cutting-edge solutions to challenges in the justice system.

Head of Transformation Delivery – the role

The Grade 7 Transformation Lead will play a central role in driving progress across MoJ’s highest priority transformation challenges.

You will operate in our Transformation Delivery or Transformation Office team, working on the department’s most complex and high-stakes transformation priorities.

Across all roles, you will:

  • Diagnose and respond to complex delivery and system challenges
  • Work across policy, operations, digital and data to drive progress and align perspectives
  • Bring understanding of digital, data and AI-enabled transformation approaches, and apply these pragmatically to improve delivery and user outcomes
  • Translate strategy into tangible outcomes
  • Strengthen capability and ways of working in the teams you support

Depending on deployment, you will focus on one or more of the following:

  • Transformation Delivery: Hands-on intervention and problem-solving in services to unblock delivery and embed outcome-led, multi-disciplinary ways of working
  • Transformation Office: Portfolio-level problem-solving, removing systematic barriers to delivering MoJ transformation and building transformation capabilities across MoJ

These are roles for people who can move between strategy and delivery, operate effectively in ambiguity, and drive meaningful change in complex environments.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic problem-solving and delivery

Lead diagnosis of complex transformation challenges, identifying root causes and shaping practical, evidence-based interventions that drive progress across services, programmes or portfolios.

Driving delivery and impact

Work directly with teams, programmes or senior stakeholders to unblock progress, restore pace and ensure delivery is aligned to user outcomes and wider transformation priorities.

Insight generation and synthesis

Bring together data, stakeholder evidence and system understanding to generate clear insight into delivery performance, risks and opportunities, and translate these into compelling narrative and actionable recommendations.

Governance, performance and prioritisation

Support effective decision-making through high-quality analysis, clear communication and structured framing of issues, including input to governance forums and senior discussions.

Embedding transformation capabilities

Model and embed agile, outcome-led, digitally-enabled and cross-functional ways of working, strengthening capability and leaving teams better equipped to sustain progress.

Stakeholder engagement and influence

Build strong relationships across MoJ and its agencies, working with senior leaders, delivery teams and partners to align priorities and secure commitment to change.

Team leadership and development

Provide line management and coaching to junior colleagues, contributing to a high-performing, collaborative and learning-oriented culture.

Skills and Experience

The work of this team is highly dynamic and requires a proactive approach. The successful candidate must demonstrate:

  • Exceptional flexibility and agility, with the ability to respond to new and changing strategic priorities.
  • This includes the ability to create clarity in ambiguity by working iteratively on proposals and solutions, often employing an agile approach.
  • Strategic problem-solving skills, able to operate effectively in complex, cross-cutting delivery environments where issues span, policy, operations, digital and wider organisational boundaries.
  • A proven capability to influence and deliver through others, with the credibility to work alongside senior leaders and subject matter experts alike.
  • Diversity of thought – we value people who bring different lenses to leading wide-scale digitally-enabled transformation, whether from a central strategy function, a delivery unit or the private sector

Essential

  • Problem-solving: Strong track record of using evidence to break down complex, ambiguous challenges, using qualitative and quantitative evidence to develop clear hypotheses, conclusions and recommended actions
  • Strategy in action: Proven experience of translating analysis, strategy or stakeholder insight into clear synthesis and practical action that drives measurable progress across large organisations, programmes or services.
  • Leading transformation across systems and boundaries: Experience leading or supporting digital, data or AI-enabled transformation, and using innovative approaches to improve delivery and user outcomes across teams, functions or organisations
  • Capability-building: Experience building capabilities in strategy, delivery, digital transformation and agile ways of working through on-the-ground support and curated learning programmes for senior stakeholders.
  • Stakeholder management and influence: Strong ability to build relationships, challenge constructively and work with senior stakeholders to drive progress.
  • Communication: Ability to produce clear, high-impact written and verbal outputs, including briefings for senior audiences.
  • Pace, adaptability and judgement: Comfortable operating in fast-paced, high-pressure environments, with the ability to prioritise effectively, adapt to changing demands and exercise sound judgement in ambiguity.
  • Agile and outcome-led working: Familiarity with agile, iterative and outcome-focused approaches, applied pragmatically in complex environments.

Desirable

  • Experience in government, public service reform or large-scale transformation
  • Experience in delivery unit, strategy, consulting or insight roles
  • Understanding of portfolio management, performance frameworks (KPIs/OKRs), or governance
  • Experience generating or applying insight from data, research or operational evidence
  • Justice system knowledge or ability to rapidly build domain credibility

Candidates applying from HMPPS should note that the Ministry of Justice does not have the same conditions of employment as HMPPS. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful.

The MoJ is proud to be Level 3 Disability Confident. Disability Confident is the approach through which we offer guaranteed interviews for all people with disabilities meeting the minimum criteria for the advertised role as set out in the job description.

Application process

You will be assessed against the Civil service success profiles framework.

You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.

Selection process details

Experience

You will be asked to provide a CV during the application listing any experience, career history and achievements that are relevant to the role. This will not be assessed.

You will also be asked to upload a Statement of Suitability of no more than 750 words stating how you meet the following criteria:

  • Problem-solving: Strong track record of using evidence to break down complex, ambiguous challenges, using qualitative and quantitative evidence to develop clear hypotheses, conclusions and recommended actions
  • Strategy in action: Proven experience of translating analysis, strategy or stakeholder insight into clear synthesis and practical action that drives measurable progress across large organisations, programmes or services.
  • Leading transformation across systems and boundaries: Experience leading or supporting digital, data or AI-enabled transformation, and using innovative approaches to improve delivery and user outcomes across teams, functions or organisations
  • Capability-building: Experience building capabilities in strategy, delivery and transformation through on-the-ground support and curated learning programmes for senior stakeholders.

We know candidates can use AI tools to help them prepare, but you should use them carefully. We can usually tell when AI has been overused. The best presentations feel genuine, show reflection, and make clear what the candidate did, learned and contributed.

Candidates invited to Interview

Candidates who are successful at sift will be invited to interview 1.

Please note that interviews will be carried out remotely.  

Interview 1 – We will invite candidates to a short (15 minutes) suitability conversation to understand more about your background and motivation at this stage. This will include strengths-based questions to explore what you enjoy, and your motivations relevant to the job role. 

There is no expectation or requirement for you to prepare for the strengths-based questions in advance of the interview, though you may find it helpful to spend some time reflecting on what you enjoy doing and what you do well.

You can refer to the CS Strengths dictionary for more details:  Success Profiles - Civil Service Strengths Dictionary (publishing.service.gov.uk) 

Interview 2 – Short-listed candidates will be invited to a 30-minute interview which will cover in depth experience-based questions to explore in detail how you meet the essential experience criteria.

Interviews expected to take place June 2026.

Successful candidates will join either Transformation Delivery or Transformation Office based on candidate fit, and taking preference into account.


Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale.  This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity). 

For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.

All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

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 you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

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.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals
  • nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
  • Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.
Contact Information

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 17937

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 17937

Application form stage assessments

Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History, Experience Questions, Statement of Suitability
Experience Questions Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Statement of Suitability
Guidance for the Statement of Suitability
Please upload a Statement of Suitability of no more than 750 words stating how you meet the following criteria:

• Problem-solving: Strong track record of using evidence to break down complex, ambiguous challenges, using qualitative and quantitative evidence to develop clear hypotheses, conclusions and recommended actions
• Strategy in action: Proven experience of translating analysis, strategy or stakeholder insight into clear synthesis and practical action that drives measurable progress across large organisations, programmes or services.
• Leading transformation across systems and boundaries: Experience leading or supporting digital, data or AI-enabled transformation, and using innovative approaches to improve delivery and user outcomes across teams, functions or organisations
• Capability-building: Experience building capabilities in strategy, delivery and transformation through on-the-ground support and curated learning programmes for senior stakeholders.

We know candidates can use AI tools to help them prepare, but you should use them carefully. We can usually tell when AI has been overused. The best presentations feel genuine, show reflection, and make clear what the candidate did, learned and contributed.
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Experience Questions, Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Expected June 2026
Experience
Your Experience for this role will be assessed at interview. To learn more about Experience and how they are assessed please click here.
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
Experience Questions
Strengths
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.
Level of security checks required
Baseline Personnal Security Standard (BPSS)

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.