Thank you for your interest in the Director of Transformation position within the MoJ.

Thank you for your interest in the Director of Transformation role within the MoJ’s Service Transformation Group. This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of one of the largest departments in Whitehall, leading transformation that will shape how justice services are designed, delivered and improved for the people who use and rely on them.

This is a critical senior leadership role, overseeing one of the most ambitious periods of change and transformation the department has seen. The postholder will be responsible for setting an ambitious strategic direction, designing programmes and standards that achieve a step-change in performance across MoJ and its agencies, and for delivering a coherent, complex programme of change.

The role is varied, influential and is focused on delivery at the heart of the Government’s priorities. You will work hand-in-hand with policy, operational delivery, digital, data and corporate teams, bringing together senior leaders across MoJ and wider government to drive reform at scale and pace.

You will provide strategic and inspiring leadership for your Directorate, build transformation capability across the Department and its agencies, and will be responsible for the delivery of a complex portfolio of high-priority change.

If you are motivated by the opportunity to transform public services, lead system-wide change and deliver better outcomes for the citizens we serve, I would be delighted to hear from you.

Megan Lee Devlin

Director General, Justice Services and Transformation

About the role

Job Title

Director of Transformation

Location

National. If the successful candidate is not London based, travel to London will be needed several times a month.

Salary

The salary for this role is set within the MoJ SCS PB2 range: £105,000-£162,500.
External candidates should expect their salary upon appointment to be £105,000 per annum.

Existing Civil Servants will be appointed in line with the Civil Service pay rules in place on the date of their appointment.

Contract Type

This role is being offered on a permanent basis.

This role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years - in line with the deliverables identified. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by.

The Role

The Director of Transformation will lead the Ministry of Justice’s approach to designing, prioritising and delivering transformation across the department and its agencies. The role will provide strategic leadership across a complex portfolio of change, strengthening service ownership, improving delivery confidence and ensuring transformation activity delivers measurable benefits for users, staff and taxpayers.

Key Responsibilities

Reporting to the DG Justice Services and Transformation, you will be accountable for:

Setting the strategic direction for transformation across MoJ and its agencies, aligned to departmental priorities and ministerial objectives.
Leading, governing and assuring delivery of a coherent transformation programme and portfolio that helps MoJ achieve successful transformation across service operations and corporate HQ.
Modernising ways of working, including setting the standard for strengthened service ownership, product ways of working, transformation capability and multidisciplinary teams across policy, operations, digital, data and other functions.
Building trusted relationships with senior policy, operational and functional leaders across MoJ and its agencies, and provide challenge and advice on transformation programmes.
Collaborating with wider government stakeholders in the Cabinet Office and DSIT to ensure MoJ’s transformation programmes align with wider aims, including finding opportunities to accelerate MoJ’s priorities through central sponsorship.
Ensuring transformation delivers measurable benefits, improved outcomes and value for money for users, frontline staff and taxpayers.

It is important through your CV and Statement of Suitability that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the below essential criteria:

Essential criteria:

Proven experience of leading large-scale transformation in a complex environment, including setting strategic direction and putting the conditions in place for success.
Proven experience of delivering measurable improvements in operations, including improved customer experience, operational performance and value for money.
A strong track record of leading digital, data and product-enabled change, including a strong understanding of the application of different technologies, including AI, to operational and corporate settings.
Outstanding communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships, align strategies with stakeholders, and command the confidence of colleagues, Boards and Ministers.
Proven ability to create high-performing and inclusive teams, with a culture focused on continuous improvement and measurable benefits.

Civil Service Success Profiles:

The Selection Criteria uses the Civil Service Success Profile Framework. Success Profiles will enable a fairer and more inclusive method of recruitment by enabling us to assess the range of experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours and technical/professional skills required for different roles.

You will be assessed against the following 5 Behaviours (at Director-level) at interview:

Seeing the Big Picture
Leadership
Changing and Improving
Communicating and Influencing
Making Effective Decisions

Further information about the Civil Service Behaviours Framework can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles/success-profiles-civil-service-behaviours

Application

To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application process no later than 23:55 on 19th July 2026 and will involve uploading the two documents outlined below:

Document details:

A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
A Statement of Suitability (no more than 1000 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification.
As part of the application process, you will be required to complete your diversity information. All monitoring data will be treated in the strictest confidence and will not be provided to the selection panel. We capture this information to monitor our internal vacancy filling processes with a view to ensuring that we continue to build a talented workforce with diverse perspectives and backgrounds.
In addition to diversity information, you will be asked whether you wish to apply for the role as part of the Disability Confident Scheme. For more information about the scheme, please see the FAQs section.

Please submit and complete all of the documents listed so that the panel will have all the required information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification. Please note failure to submit a CV and Statement of Suitability will result in your application not being considered for this role.

Should you encounter any issues with your application please get in touch with SCS Recruitment via: scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk.

Selection Process

Chris Pilgrim, a Civil Service Commissioner, will chair the process. The Civil Service Commission has two primary functions:

Providing assurance that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition. For the most senior posts in the Civil Service, the Commission discharges its responsibilities directly by overseeing the recruitment process and by a Commissioner chairing the selection panel.
Hearing and determining appeals made by civil servants under the Civil Service Code which sets out the Civil Service values - Impartiality, Objectivity, Integrity and Honesty - and forms part of the relationship between civil servants and their employer.

More detailed information can be found on the Civil Service Commission website.

The other panel members will be confirmed to shortlisted candidates prior to interview. The panel will satisfy the Civil Service panel requirements on diversity.

Shortlist

The panel will assess your application to select those demonstrating the best fit with the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the criteria set out on page 8.

Shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible following the shortlist meeting.

Unfortunately, due to the anticipated number of applicants for this role, we are unable to provide feedback to those not successful at shortlist stage. Candidates who are shortlisted and attend an interview will be offered verbal feedback from a member of the interview panel.

Assessment

If you are shortlisted, you may be asked to take part in a Stakeholder Engagement Exercise. This assessment will not result in a pass or fail decision. Rather, it is designed to support the panel’s decision making and highlight areas for the panel to explore further at interview. Further information on Staff Engagement Exercises will be provided to shortlisted candidates.

Internal Stakeholder Conversations

You may also have the opportunity to speak to Megan Lee Devlin, DG Justice Services and Transformation prior to the final interview to learn more about the role and the organisation. Please note this is not part of the formal assessment process.

Interview

You will be asked to attend a panel interview to have a more in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out on page 8. Please note, you may be asked to complete a presentation on a topic chosen by the panel at interview stage.

Full details of the assessment process will be made available to shortlisted candidates.

Offer

Regardless of the outcome, we will notify all candidates as soon as possible after the final interview.

Guidance for writing your application

As part of the application process, you must submit a Statement and CV showing how you meet the essential experience in the Person Specification.

Read the role information carefully, identify the essential criteria, and provide evidence for each in your Statement and CV. Applications without this evidence may not progress.

When structuring your Statements try to:

Group evidence of the same experience together by using subheadings and paragraphs. This will help to ensure you are writing about the experience that is directly relevant for the role you are applying for.
You should ensure that you detail recent and relevant examples of the essential experience required for the role and describe the outcome that came from this.

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.

For more information on how to write your Statement and CV please visit the Civil Service Careers Website.

We will try and offer as much flexibility as we can, but it may not be possible to offer alternative dates for assessments or interviews. You are therefore asked to note the below timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process, in order to meet the dates given. Please note that these dates may be subject to change.

Can I apply if I am not currently a civil servant?

Yes.

Is this role suitable for part-time working?

This role is available for full-time or flexible working arrangements (including job share partnerships). If you wish to discuss your needs in more detail please get in touch with the SCS Recruitment Team.

Will the role involve travel?

If the successful candidate is not London based, travel to London will be needed several times a month.

Where will the role be based?

The base location of this post is flexible and can be based at any of our buildings across England and Wales.

The successful applicant must spend at least 60% of the week working from a MoJ site.

Relocation costs will not be reimbursed.

Can I claim back any expenses incurred during the recruitment process?

No. Unfortunately we will not be able to reimburse you, except in exceptional circumstances and only when agreed in advance.

What are the nationality requirements for this role?

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

UK nationals
Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
Nationals of Commonwealth countries
Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with (or eligible for) status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

For further information on whether you are eligible to apply, please visit Gov.UK.

Reserved for UK Nationals

Certain posts might be reserved for British citizens, this is not a reserved post.

Is security clearance required?

Yes. If successful you must hold, or be willing to obtain, security clearance to SC level. More information about the vetting process can be found here.

What reasonable adjustments can be made if I have a disability?

We welcome and encourage applications from all candidates and are committed to supporting all candidates to take part in the recruitment process. This includes supporting individuals who have a disability by making reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. We are also able to provide support to candidates who require adjustments to the assessment process due to more temporary difficulties (e.g. linked to a recent injury).

We will ask you within your application form if you would like to request reasonable adjustments. If you feel you require any kind of support and/or would like to discuss this with someone, please indicate ‘yes’ to requesting reasonable adjustments.

We understand that the support requested will be unique to every candidate and we will work with you to help you to identify your individual requirements.

We make reasonable adjustments so that all candidates are given a fair opportunity to undertake the recruitment process. Therefore, disclosing information regarding your disability or access requirements will have no impact on the outcome of your application, regardless of your request or the role you have applied to.

How we can support you

There are many types of reasonable adjustments that can be made during assessment processes, and the type or combination you choose to request will depend on your individual requirements.

Examples of some types of adjustments include:

Extra time to complete assessments.
Providing a break within an assessment.
Providing interview questions in a written format at the interview as well as orally.
An interview at a certain time.
Coloured overlays or different fonts for assessment materials.

This is not intended to be an exhaustive list but rather some examples.

Whilst we aim to confirm all adjustments requested, there may be occasions where this isn’t possible. For example, if a candidate were to request that they are not assessed on a specific behaviour outlined in the job advert this would not be possible because the behaviour has been identified as important for the job role,and all candidates are assessed against this criterion. If an adjustment cannot be provided, the reasons for this will be explained to you during your contact with the reasonable adjustment scheme team.

Help with your application

During the application process, we will ask you if you require reasonable adjustments. It is important you tell us as early as possible if you would like to request reasonable adjustments so that the recruitment process runs smoothly for you.

If you do decide during the process that you do require adjustments and you have not completed all your assessments, please contact the SCS recruitment team in advance of your next assessment.

If you need any help with your application, please contact the SCS recruitment team at scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk.

Do you offer a Disability Confident Scheme for Disabled Persons?

Disabled applicants who meet the minimum selection criteria in the job specification are guaranteed an interview. Selection will be on merit. If you wish to claim a guaranteed interview under the Disability Commitment, you should complete the relevant section of the online application. It is not necessary to state the nature of your disability.

Do you offer a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for Veterans?

Yes. The Great Place to Work for Veterans scheme aims to encourage more veterans to join the Civil Service when they leave the armed forces.

Veteran applicants who meet the minimum selection criteria in the job specification are guaranteed an interview. Selection will be on merit. If you wish to claim a guaranteed interview under the Great Place to Work for Veterans scheme, you should complete the relevant section of the online application

What do I do if I want to make a complaint?

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.

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 and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk in the first instance.

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order.

To Shared Service-Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 08.00 - 18.00) or e-mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com)
To Ministry of Justice Resourcing (resourcing-services@justice.gov.uk)
To the Civil Service Commission (https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/contact-us/)

What should I do if I think that I have a conflict of interest?

Candidates must note the requirement to declare any interests that might cause questions to be raised about their approach to the business of the Department.

If you believe that you may have a conflict of interest, please contact SCS Recruitment on scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk before submitting your application.

Will this role be overseen by the Civil Service Commission?

Yes. As this role is one of the more senior posts within the Civil Service, a Commissioner will oversee the recruitment process and chair the selection panel. More detailed information can be found on the Civil Service Commission website.

Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing

Our departmental values - purpose, humanity, openness and together - are at the heart of our commitment to create a culture where all our people are able to thrive and flourish in the workplace. We want to attract and retain the best talent from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. We want everyone to be the best of themselves, to feel supported and have a strong sense of belonging in the workplace. Our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce is reflected in all of our people policies and strategies.

Benefits

As a Ministry of Justice employee, you’ll be entitled to a large range of benefits which include but are not limited to:

Pension

The Civil Service Pension Scheme is one of the best workplace pension schemes in the UK public sector. Visit www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk for more details.

Generous Annual Leave and Bank Holiday Allowance

25 days annual leave on entry, increasing on a sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service. This is in addition to 8 public holidays. This will be complemented by one further day paid privilege entitlement to mark the King’s Birthday.

Flexible Working

While not every type of flexible working will be suitable for every role and business area, flexible working can take many forms and The Ministry of Justice is committed to delivering its business effectively and sustainably by creating modern and inclusive workplaces that enable smart, flexible and hybrid working.

For more information on our amazing benefits including our Civil Service Pension Scheme, annual and special leave, and our Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing schemes please visit our Senior Civil Service website.

We will ensure that we will treat all personal information in accordance with data protection legislation, including the General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018.

Data Sharing

To process your application your personal data will be shared with the Ministry of Justice SCS Recruitment Team, campaign Panel Members and anyone else necessary as part of the recruitment process.

The legal basis for processing your personal data is:

Processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest. Personal data are processed in the public interest because understanding civil servant experiences and feelings about working in the Civil Service can inform decision taken to improve these experiences, and ultimately organisation performance.

Sensitive personal data is personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, or trade union membership, and the processing of genetic data, biometric data for the purpose of uniquely identifying a natural person, data concerning health or data concerning a natural person's sex life or sexual orientation.

The legal basis for processing your sensitive personal data is:

Processing is necessary for reasons of substantial public interest for the exercise of a function of the Crown, a Minister of the Crown, or a government department: it is important to know if groups of staff with specific demographic characteristics have a better or worse experience of working for the Civil Service, so that appropriate action can be taken to level this experience;

Processing is of a specific category of personal data and it is necessary for the purposes of identifying or keeping under review the existence or absence of equality of opportunity or treatment between groups of people with a view to enabling such equality to be promoted or maintained.
Please note if you are successful in your application your sensitive personal data will be used as part of the on-boarding process to build your employee record.

For further information please see the GDPR Privacy Notice.

Should candidates like to discuss the role in more detail before submitting an application, please contact SCS Recruitment on scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk.

Advert Closing Date	23:55 on 19^th July 2026
Shortlist Meeting	Week commencing 27^th July 2026
Assessments	TBC
Interviews	Week commencing 17^th August 2026