Criminal Justice System Programme Strategy Manager
Location: National*
Closing Date: 2nd June 2025
Interviews: from 26th June 2025 (this may be subject to change)
Grade: SEO
(MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade will be able to retain this grade on lateral transfer)
Salary: £41,463 - £45,276 (National), £47,657 - £52,040 (London)
Working pattern: Full-time, part-time, flexible working
Contract Type: Permanent
*We offer a hybrid working model, allowing for a balance between remote work and
time spent in your local office. Office locations can be found ON THIS MAP
The Role
We’re recruiting for a CJS Programme Strategy Manager here at the Ministry of
Justice, to be part of our warm and collaborative Data Directorate.
About the Team
The CJS Data Improvement Programme is a joint initiative led by the Ministry of
Justice and Home Office, in close partnership with the Crown Prosecution Service, to
transform how we use data across the criminal justice system. In the short term, we
are creating new tools and ways of working that will help join up data between
different parts of the CJS, making it easier to understand how individuals flow
through the system from offence through to sentencing, prison, and probation. This
will help decision-makers across the system make better informed and evidenced
choices about policies and services. Our long-term vision is to work with CJS
stakeholders to shape an ambitious future strategy for CJS data.
For further information, read our blog from last year on Improving Data in the
Criminal Justice System.
Why join us?
We are driving ambitious strategic change, delivering innovative data projects and
having impact and influence across the CJS data space - making this an incredibly
exciting programme to be part of.
• Strong Support: This is an opportunity to work on a high-profile
programme with significant ministerial interest and support to improve how
data is linked, shared, and accessed across the CJS.
• Transformational Impact: Our programme is delivering trailblazing
ambitions. For example, development of our linked cross-CJS dataset will
open up a world of linked data that hasn't been explored before, which will
greatly enhance our understanding of the CJS and will directly influence
strategic, policy and operational decisions.
• Cross-Government Collaboration: The role provides significant
opportunity to work with stakeholders across the CJS, including the Police,
Home Office, Crown Prosecution Service, as well as wider government
such as Number 10, Cabinet Office, Treasury, and Ministry of Justice
partners such as HMCTS and HMPPS. Your work will cross departmental
boundaries and provide excellent opportunities to lead on joint stakeholder
initiatives.
Why Work in the Data Directorate?
The CJS Data Improvement Programme sits within the Data Directorate. We are
committed to creating an environment where all our people feel valued for who they
are and the work they contribute. Working in the Data Directorate offers the
opportunity to be at the forefront of data transformation in government, while being
part of an inclusive workplace that provides flexible working arrangements and
competitive benefits as part of our people offer.
Key Responsibilities:
This role is a challenging but exciting new position designed to support the long-term
aims of the CJS Data Improvement Programme. Within this, you’ll assist with the
delivery of the new data enabling function’s objectives, helping turn vision into reality.
Work will include:
• Supporting the design and implementation of the future 'CJS Data Function',
working with stakeholders across government to get consensus and
agreement.
• Working with cross-CJS stakeholders to define the scope and ambition for
longer-term data improvement initiatives.
• Leading on day-to-day evaluation activities for the programme in close
collaboration with our evaluation lead
• Engage with cross-CJS stakeholders to gather relevant data, insights, and
feedback to inform the development of business cases and ensure alignment
with strategic goals.
• Contribute to the development of programme strategies, ensuring programme
priorities align with overarching departmental and government objectives.
• Provide strategic advice and guidance to senior leadership based on analysis
and evaluation of programme performance and outcomes.
• Build, maintain, and own effective relationships with stakeholders across
government departments, agencies, and external partners.
• Represent the programme and department in meetings, workshops, and
forums, fostering collaboration and driving consensus on key initiatives.
If this feels like an exciting challenge, something you are enthusiastic about, and
want to join our team please read on and apply!
Benefits
● 37 hours per week and flexible working options including working from home,
working part-time, job sharing, or working compressed hours.
● A £1k per person learning budget is in place to support all our people, with
access to best-in-class conferences and seminars, accreditation with
professional bodies, fully funded vocational programmes and e-learning
platforms
● Staff have 10% time to dedicate to develop & grow
● Generous civil service pension based on defined benefit scheme, with
employer contributions of 28.97% from April 1st 2024 (Contribution Rates)
● 25 days leave (plus bank holidays) and 1 privilege day usually taken around
the Kings’ birthday. 5 additional days of leave once you have reached 5 years
of service.
● Compassionate maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave policies, with
up to 26 weeks leave at full pay, 13 weeks with partial pay, and 13 weeks
further leave. And maternity support/paternity leave at full pay for 2 weeks,
too!
● Wellbeing support including access to the Calm app.
● Bike loans up to £2500 and secure bike parking (subject to availability and
location)
● Season ticket loans, childcare vouchers and eye-care vouchers.
● 5 days volunteering paid leave.
● Free membership to BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT.
● Some offices may have a subsidised onsite Gym.
Person Specification
Essential:
• Proven experience in influencing and shaping the strategic direction of work to
ensure alignment with wider priorities
• Proven ability to build cross-organisational relationships, including managing
diverse stakeholders to foster collaboration
• Proven ability to confidently and independently deliver projects
• Ability and desire to work in changeable, fast-paced environments where
priorities and timings may flex
• Have experience and confidence in presenting and communicating with both
senior and technical audiences, both written and orally
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
D&I Strategy.
How to Apply
Candidates must submit an anonymised CV, personal statement (max 750 words)
and a lead criterion (max 250 words), which describes how you meet the
requirements set out in the Person Specification above.
We are recruiting using the Success Profiles Framework. We will assess your
experience and the following Behaviours during the assessment process:
● Seeing the Big Picture
● Communicating and Influencing
● Making Effective Decisions
● Working Together
A diverse panel will review your application against the Person Specification above.
Successful candidates who meet the required standard will then be invited to a 1-
hour panel interview held via video conference. Candidates will also be required to
provide a 5-minute presentation during the interview stage.
Should we receive a high volume of applications, a pre-sift based on the lead
criterion (Proven experience in influencing and shaping the strategic direction of
work to ensure alignment with wider priorities) will be conducted.
Should you be unsuccessful in the role that you have applied for but demonstrate the
capability for a role at a lower level, we reserve the right to discuss this opportunity
with you and offer you the position without needing a further application.
A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months, from which further appointments may
be made.
Terms & Conditions
Please review our Terms & Conditions which set out how we recruit and provide
further information related to the role and salary arrangements.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact
recruitment@digital.justice.gov.uk