19088 - Senior Project Manager - Legal Aid Agency - 19088 - Ministry of Justice

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Job Title & Grade: Senior Project Manager x2 – Grade 7

Contract Type: Detached Duty and Loan (24 months)

Salary range (depending on location):

National - £58,511 - £65,329

London - £63,343 - £70,725

Please note that unless you are currently employed by the Civil Service and are earning more than the minimum above, if successful you will be offered the minimum for the grade depending on your location.

Location: Any LAA office.

Please note that whilst this role is open to all Civil Servants, you can only apply for London, Cambridge and Brighton offices if you are a current LAA staff member based in those offices. This is due to and in line with the LAA's Location Strategy and the Cabinet Office's Places for Growth Strategy.

Minimum Working Pattern:

If you are applying for a part-time role, please note that to meet business demands we need cover for a minimum of 30 hours and to cover 3 days of the week.

The Legal Aid Agency

We are an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). We are responsible for operationally administering the legal aid fund to provide criminal and civil legal aid advice to people in England and Wales.

Our people are at the heart of achieving excellence. Employing around 1,200 colleagues across England and Wales, we feel proud to have some of the best People Survey results in the Civil Service.

Transformation

Transformation are responsible for continuing to drive forward simplifying the delivery of legal aid. We want to improve the experience for the people who apply for legal aid, the providers who deliver the services and those of us in the LAA who administer the scheme, while ensuring the LAA remains a great place to work.

Transformation Team

This team is leading the transformation of our organisation through innovation, collaboration and inclusion. Originally established in May 2020, the Transformation Team has grown rapidly over the last five years. We are a hybrid team of business change and project delivery experts, and working in partnership with others is at the heart of what we do. We work together with teams across the agency, with the LAA Digital team, MoJ Project Delivery Function experts, MoJ Policy teams and wider stakeholders across the justice system and government.

The transformation portfolio spans multiple services, systems and functions, with significant impacts on:

Front-line operational teams
Policy design and implementation
Digital systems and data
External providers and partners

Decisions made within this environment, managed through structured portfolio controls have significant operational and financial impacts. Achieving successful change within the business relies on robust collaboration and integration between all delivery teams. The G7 Senior Project Manager acts as the pivotal anchor, connecting and coordinating these teams to ensure that change is implemented smoothly and effectively throughout the organisation. By consistently planning, prioritising and integrating interdependent workstreams, the Project Manager not only bridges the gap between agile, multi-disciplinary delivery methods and portfolio governance, but also guarantees that each change lands successfully with internal users, providers and the wider business.

Job Summary

The G7 Technical Project Manager leads the delivery of a defined workstream within the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) Portfolio. They operate within a portfolio governance structure while enabling agile, multi‑disciplinary delivery teams to work effectively in line with Government Digital Service (GDS) service standards.

Reporting to the G6 Programme Delivery Manager, and exercising delegated authority, the postholder leads the integration of multi-disciplinary agile delivery teams ensuring they have the right environment, clarity and support to deliver user-centred outcomes at pace, while also ensuring the programme meets MoJ governance, assurance and reporting requirements mandated by the Project Delivery Standards GovS 002, and MoJ Project Delivery Hub guidance. They act as the senior integration point between Digital, Policy and Operations, advising senior leaders and enabling decision‑making across the portfolio.

The key aspect of the role is to ensure that all changes into Legal Aid successful land with the business, and thousands of internal users and providers. The role will cut across all change aspects – with a requirement to be supporting the teams within ‘Recovery’, ‘Transformation and ‘Policy’. It will be to work with the delivery leads within these areas to ensure all elements are considered and in place for implementation.

Key Responsibilities:

Change Business Implementation

Own the end‑to‑end implementation strategy for the workstream, ensuring business change is planned, assured and embedded across all affected operational, digital and policy functions.
Act as the senior decision facilitator, ensuring risks to operational readiness and service continuity are surfaced, understood and resolved, whilst ensuring services are stood up safely, with defined service levels, clear ownership and stable operating procedures.
Ensure the communications and guidance is aligned to the plan, and does not conflict with other outcomes, and that user training and guidance is completed / readily available.
Develop and maintain Business Readiness Assessments, ensuring criteria are understood, tested, evidenced, and signed off before go-live.
Coordinate and integrate readiness inputs from Digital, Operations, Policy, Security and PMO (Portfolio Management Office) functions (as reflected in portfolio structures).
Oversee completion of DPIAs, Data Sharing Agreements and other regulatory artefacts including compliance with the PSED required before implementation.

Risk, Controls & Assurance

Provide senior ownership of workstream risk, ensuring risks, issues and dependencies are systematically identified, recorded and managed, including cyber, data, operational and user impact risks.
Ensure that recovery changes meet compliance, technical and assurance requirements (aligning with MoJ governance).
Provide input to business case development and updates, including options analysis, delivery feasibility, costings, risk impacts and implementation planning, in line with Treasury’s Green Book and MoJ Teal Book guidance.
Ensure benefits and measurable outcomes are embedded in plans, validated with operational leads, and monitored through delivery.
Represent the workstream at governance boards, producing clear, decision‑ready reporting that enables the SRO, Programme Manager and Portfolio leaders to make informed decisions.
Ensure the workstream meets all project controls obligations set by the MoJ Project Delivery Hub, including stage gate readiness, reporting cadences, assurance reviews and controls compliance

Planning, Integration & Horizontal Alignment

Lead the development and maintenance of the integrated delivery plan, ensuring alignment with portfolio‑level milestones, resource constraints and risk position
Provide authoritative delivery insight, including confidence assessments, scenario modelling and recommendations to support the Programme Manager and governance boards
Ensure plans are updated frequently, to maintain reliable portfolio wide integrated planning (reflecting expectations set in PM onboarding discussion).

Portfolio Alignment and Continuous Improvement

Build and maintain strategic relationships across MoJ Digital, Policy, Operations, Commercial and external provider communities. Influence senior stakeholders to secure agreement on delivery approaches, resolve complex interdependencies and ensure alignment with organisational priorities.
Promote continuous improvement, helping teams reflect, adapt and enhance their ways of working.
Contribute to wider Portfolio capability by sharing learning, improving tools and processes, and supporting colleagues across the portfolio. Role-model MoJ project delivery standards and contribute to building capability across the Portfolio Delivery profession.

Essential Knowledge, Experience and skills

Strong project management experience delivering complex digital and operational change, ideally in government or similarly complex environments.
Experience of supporting business implementation, including readiness, communications, training, service acceptance and post-go-live support.
Ability to work within structured portfolio controls while supporting agile ways of working.
Strong stakeholder engagement skills across operational, digital, policy and external provider groups.
Ability to manage risks and dependencies across multiple teams and functions.
Experience of supporting agile, multidisciplinary teams (for example product, user research, design, engineering and operations) to deliver high-value services.
Strong understanding of GDS Service Standards and agile delivery principles.
Capability across PDCF competencies at G7 level, including planning and control, risk and issue management, stakeholder engagement and leadership.
Ability to work confidently across agile delivery and governance environments, translating information clearly for different audiences.
Skilled in delivering clear, structured reporting for senior leaders while supporting agility in day-to-day delivery.

Desirable Knowledge, Experience and skills

Experience within the justice system, public sector operations, or other complex service delivery environments.
Experience of discovery, alpha, beta, and live phases in a GDS-aligned delivery environment.
Understanding of digital, data, or technology delivery in government or similarly complex settings.

Assessment approach

Application Process

To apply please provide a statement of suitability showing how you meet the essential criteria in no more that 1250 words.

Your statement should demonstrate your ability to do all the essential criteria listed. Using examples can help strengthen your application.

Please note we do not require a CV.

Please note that we only require a Statement of Suitability for your application. The wording on this advert may suggest that an Experience question is also required, however this is not necessary.

Interview / assessment Process

If you are successful through the application stage, you will be invited to an interview / assessment centre in person or via Microsoft Teams where you will be assessed against the following:

Strengths relevant to the role and the following Behaviours:

Delivering at Pace
Making Effective Decisions
Communicating & Influencing
Working Together
Leadership

Your Experience of implementing, promoting, or understanding diversity and inclusion policy - Diversity is the presence of difference, this can include one or more of the protected characteristics (Gender, Age, Race, Disability etc.) or it can be about working patterns, whether we like to jump into a task or reflect on it before acting. Inclusion is how we welcome, value, and celebrate diversity, giving everyone a voice, tapping into ideas, and enabling everyone to be themselves at work and achieve their potential.

For this grade/ role we would expect the candidate to demonstrate understanding of the terms Diversity and Inclusion and be able to explain why they are important in a work environment. We would also expect examples of action they have taken to embrace diversity (e.g., increasing understanding for self or others) or improve inclusion at a departmental level.

Shortlisting is planned for week commencing 6^th July.

Interviews are planned for week commencing 20^th July.

If you would like more information on this opportunity, please contact – Bruce.Burns@justice.gov.u k

Our LAA commitment to Diversity and 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.

As a Disability Confident organisation, we will offer a guaranteed interview to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for this role. Under the Equality Act 2010 a disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities which has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months.

If you are responding to a role within the Legal Aid Agency and would like to be considered under the guaranteed interview, please indicate this in your application and let us know of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the sift or later selection processes.

The LAA’s goal is to build an organisation that is open and inclusive and truly values and celebrates the diversity of its workforce. One that reflects and understands the needs of the diverse society we serve. This is regardless of social background, gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, beliefs, disabilities or long-term illness or caring responsibilities.

Reasonable Adjustments

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all. If you have a disability or long-term condition (for example dyslexia, anxiety, autism, a mobility condition or hearing loss) and need us to make any reasonable adjustments to support you through the recruitment process, please let us know by adding the information to the applications system or emailing LAARecruitment@justice.gov.uk after you have applied so that we can discuss options with you.

Complaints procedure

If you have any complaints about this recruitment activity, please share your concerns by emailing LAARecruitment@justice.gov.uk initially. We aim to respond to any complaint within 10 working days.

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

To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk);
To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

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:

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: 19088

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: 19088

Ministry of Justice

19088 - Senior Project Manager - Legal Aid Agency

General Information

Descriptions & requirements

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Application form stage assessments

Interview stage assessments