Job title: SEO Strategy Manager (Business Planning)
Directorate: Strategy and Analysis
Workstream: Business and User Strategy Division
Appointment term: Permanent
About us
Courts and tribunals underpin justice and affect the lives of millions every year. We process more than four million legal cases a year, ranging from serious crimes to traffic offences, civil claims and family law cases as well as appeals against decisions made by employers, public bodies and other organisations. We are exceptionally proud of the services we provide and of the important part they have played in our history as a nation founded on justice, human rights and fairness. We are transforming to meet the changing demands of the population and to respond to the technological opportunities of the 21st century, making sure our justice system continues to lead the world. You can find out more about what we do and how we work here. If you’re interested in developing a career with a real purpose, please apply.
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
HMCTS is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
About our benefits
We reward our people for their hard work and commitment. We have a number of family friendly and flexible working polices that will help you achieve a healthy work-life balance. In addition, we offer a range of employee benefits which include generous annual leave, a highly competitive contributory pension scheme, childcare benefits, season ticket and bicycle loans.
Proud to Serve. Proud to keep justice going.