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This vacancy is only available to existing Civil Servant employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). Please review the "Eligibility" section before you apply.

General Information

Salary
The national salary range is £42,914 - £46,182 London salary range is £49,325- £53,081 Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Working Pattern
Full Time, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
Cross Government
Location
National
Region
National
Closing Date
22-Jun-2026
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
SEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
18578

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

The Business and User Strategy Division sits at the heart of HMCTS, working across the whole organisation to use expert insight on the needs of our users and business, the policy context, operational priorities and wider strategic trends to develop and drive organisational strategy, strategic decision making and support for vulnerable users. We work with senior leadership and engage with colleagues across HMCTS, the Ministry of Justice and stakeholders across the wider justice system to help the organisation to meet strategic challenges, innovate and helping enable access to justice for all. 

The work of the Strategy Unit includes:

  • Working with senior leadership to set out future priorities and shape the strategic vision and direction of HMCTS in the medium to long-term. 
  • Leading HMCTS engagement on judicial strategy and policy development.
  • Carrying out research and generating insight on both domestic and international trends that may impact on the future shape and direction of the justice system and feeding this into strategy development and decision making.
  • Working with analytical colleagues to understand and use data in driving decision making across a wide range of topics including capacity, performance and productivity.
  • Developing relationships across the justice system to ensure that HMCTS is engaged in policy and legislative development that may impact delivery of services. 

About the role

As a Strategy Manager in the Business and User Strategy Division, you can expect to work on a range of projects. This role sits within the Strategic Development and Business Planning function and is responsible for the development of a robust annual business plan that supports business areas to deliver on HMCTS priorities. The role has a large focus on corporate engagement, gathering and applying insight, prioritising and aligning inputs and clear communication.

To be successful in this role you must have the ability to use personal initiative to find solutions to challenges and to deliver high quality work at pace. You will be a critical thinker, with the ability to synthesise information into clear written and verbal communication.

Key Responsibilities 

You will work closely with the G7 Strategy Lead to develop and lead the HMCTS annual business plan. This will typically include: 

  • Developing subject matter expertise and a network of contacts so that you can engage with confidence and produce credible business plans that meet the needs of a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
  • Leading the business plan process and supporting the Strategy Lead on wider strategy development – e.g. conducting research, interpreting data, engaging with wide range of colleagues to gather views, and prepare reports/advice.
  • Responding at pace to ad hoc requests for briefings for senior management on a range of strategically important issues.
  • Working with internal and external stakeholders to make links and align efforts between areas of work, especially where we want to support or influence them when using the insight we provide them or seek their support and engagement in developing our own work.
  • Occasionally providing secretariat for senior stakeholder group meetings.
  • Contributing to corporate activities aimed at developing team capabilities.
  • Leading on bespoke strategy projects based on business need.

Person Specification

The ideal candidate for this position should demonstrate:

Essential

  • Experience of working in strategy or policy development and implementation.
  • Excellent relationship building and stakeholder management skills.
  • High level of written and verbal communication for a senior audience.
  • Experience of analysing and interpreting data to draw out key insights.
  • A proactive individual who can take initative to identify, understand and resolve challenges early.

The below criteria are desirable only. These will not be assessed throughout the recruitment process, but will be used in the event of tied scores between candidates 

Desirable

  • A broad understanding of the policy environment and civil service and, if new to justice, a keenness to quickly develop your knowledge on courts and tribunals.

How to apply

Application Stage

Please submit:

An anonymised CV. Please ensure your CV is uploaded in a simple format to prevent any formatting issues when it's downloaded or reviewed. 

Your CV should:

  • Be succinct and clear.
  • Be factually accurate – You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, is 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. 
  • Include your qualifications, highlighting any modules or accreditation relevant to the role.
  • Include experience relevant to the person specification, providing dates. 
  • Provide detail – we are interested in how your knowledge, skills, and experience demonstrate the capabilities we are looking for in this role.
  • Statement of suitability demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria (up to 750 words).

Your Statement of Suitability should be no more than 750 words and should give real life examples of how your skills and experience match those needed for this role as set out in the person specification. Consider also evidencing any relevant experience you have in the area of key responsibilities. We recommend following the STAR format. 

You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, 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.  

Interview Stage

If successful at sift, you will be invited to attend a remote interview, via Microsoft teams.

During interview, candidates should expect questions relating to the following ‘success profiles’ Civil Service Behaviours:

  • Seeing the Big Picture
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Making Effective Decisions

Strengths:  will also be assessed however these are not shared in advance.

Further information on Success Profiles and required standards for this post (SEO) can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles   

Further details

Travel requirements

There will be an occasional requirement to travel to 102 Petty France, SW1H 9AJ, as well as to other HMCTS sites, in line with business needs.

Opportunities for development
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 roles: 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.

Eligibility

Staff on fixed term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition.

Vacancies advertised “cross-government” are only open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners' rules.

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.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.

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.

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

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.

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:

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 18578

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 18578

Application form stage assessments

Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Expected W/C 13/07/26, but this could be subject to change
Behaviours
Seeing the Big Picture
Communicating and Influencing
Making Effective Decisions
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
DBS Basic

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.