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General Information

Salary
£47,657 - £52,040
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
Cross Government
Location
London
Region
London
Closing Date
13-Jun-2025
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
SEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
6418

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

HM Courts and Tribunals Service 

Royal Courts of Justice

Job title: Senior Executive Assistant

About us

Are you interested in developing a career with a real purpose? We are looking for individuals who are committed to public service and to make a difference in people’s lives to deliver justice.  If this sounds like you, please apply. 

HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is responsible for the administration of criminal, civil and family courts and tribunals in England and Wales. Joining us is a chance to play a pivotal role in the smooth running of our courts, which give people and businesses access to potentially life-changing justice. Not only will your work be of crucial importance for those who use our services, you’ll be able to build a varied, challenging and rewarding career.

Overview

The Administrative Court is part on the King’s Bench Division, which is one of three divisions in the High Court. dealing with a broad range of work. Whilst Judicial Review claims make up most cases, the court also deals with a range of public law and statutory appeals and applications. The topics range from age assessments, homeless, housing, immigration, mental health, and prisons. This role also consists of managing caseload of sensitive work.

You will lead and manage the operations and performance of the Administrative Court Office.  You will ensure efficient workflow and provision of a quality service and that staff resources are deployed best to dispatch work in accordance with jurisdictional and performance targets.  Establishing and maintaining excellent working relationships with Judge in Charge, managers, staff and with court users to seek feedback to improve services. 

The key purpose of the role

The key purpose of the role is to be accountable for the day-to-day operations across a large team of staff in the Administrative Court Office within the Royal Courts of Justice.

Main Activities/ Responsibilities:

Operations Manager

Role Purpose & Responsibilities (including but not limited to) –

  • To develop and implement strategies which deliver organisational change.
  • Establish a consistent and customer focussed approach to service delivery.
  • Ensure effective deployment of resources within an allocated budget.
  • Design, build and maintain effective liaison with judiciary, user groups and representative organisations, representing the Senior Operations Manager where necessary.
  • To work with managers across the Royal Courts of Justice to ensure cohesive cross-cluster delivery.
  • To lead, support and motivate a large team, with a focus on meeting the business needs and their own personal development at a time when the department is going through substantial and significant change.
  • Provide visible leadership to managers and staff and role model engaging behaviours and challenge non-engaging behaviours in managers.
  • Leading by example, coaching, supporting, and developing staff and guiding them through a substantial and significant change.
  • Manage conflicting demands through reprioritisation and negotiation, using the strengths of individuals and teams to achieve results.
  • Provide analysis of statistical data when required, ensuring performance targets are monitored, reviewed, and achieved.
  • Assess the impact of new policies or processes on current performance.
  • Ensure a high level of governance is in place, risk management registers and contingency plans are in place and updated quarterly, and best practice is adopted.
  • To oversee the process of sensitive subject matter and to ensure these cases are audited under strict protocols.
  • To ensure the correct processes are in place for sensitive cases.
  • Work with the Senior Operations Manager and wider management team to develop and act upon business plans for the Division.
  • Perform Responsible Officer duties, this may include any of the following activities:
    • Identify and implement solutions to local problems.
    • Identify risks.
    • Ensuring IT/Workstation compliance at all times.
    • Ensure compliance with health and safety requirements.
    • Ensuring Risk Assessments take place at appropriate times.
    • Maintenance of an up-to-date Asset Register.
    • Ensure any issues regarding level of service for Estates Facilities Management are escalated to MoJ Estates.
    • Constructively manage complaints within set timescales, and ensure corrective action taken where necessary.
    •  Ensuring compliance with HMCTS values, policies, and procedures (including diversity, attendance, and discipline, HMCTS Assurance Programme).
    • Reporting to the Senior Operations Manager

Essential Skills & Criteria:

  • Front Line operational experience, and strong leadership skills.
  • Strong customer focus and service skills.
  • Proficient with IT and Microsoft Software packages.
  • Excellent communication and organisational skills.

Other Duties

The post holder is required to work in a flexible way and undertake any other duties reasonably requested by the line management which are commensurate with the end level or responsibility of this post.

Operational Delivery in HMCTS

The role is part of the operational delivery profession. Operational delivery professionals are outward face of government, providing essential services to the public in a variety of roles. They work in many different departments and agencies across the breadth of the UK, delivering service to customers. Being part of the operational delivery profession means belonging to a cross-government community of people.  This will offer you access to information on professional standards, skills development ad qualifications to help you continue to improve your development and performance and expand your career options.

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 6418

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 6418

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Leadership
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
Statement of Suitability
Statement of Suitability
Guidance for the Statement of Suitability
A 250-word suitability statement providing evidence of your personal skills, experience, and behaviours relevant to the role, as outlined in the Main Activities/Responsibilities and Essential Skills & Criteria in the Job Description
Evidence of Experience
Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Interviews are expected to take place beginning of July. To be confirmed.
Behaviours
Leadership
Making Effective Decisions
Communicating and Influencing
Changing and Improving
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.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, 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.
Level of security checks required
DBS Basic
Developed Vetting (DV)