Ministry of Justice

The role

As Deputy Director for Finance and Operations, you will perform a vital role within the department, leading teams across the Corporate Operations Group (COG), working closely with the other Deputy Director for the group

As the senior finance professional for the department, you will be a trusted partner supporting the Permanent Secretary in their role as Principal Accounting Officer. You will set the financial strategy for the coming years following the recent Spending Review conclusion, ensuring the department makes best use of available resources to deliver the Government’s priorities.

You will also oversee the IT, Estates, and Corporate Security functions, ensuring appropriate infrastructure, efficient workspace management, and security procedures are in place. Furthermore, you will oversee the Knowledge and Information Management team, ensuring the department is managing its records appropriately, responding to Freedom of Information requests promptly and complying with other regulations. This team is also responsible for the Google services used by the department, including the embedding of AI.

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced individual to join our dynamic team. This is a crucial leadership role, requiring an individual who can operate at a strategic level and drive financial and operations excellence across the organisation. We are looking for a candidate who possesses a strong background in finance as well as broad leadership, communication and change skills. The role would suit someone seeking to develop the necessary skills for future Chief Operating Officer roles.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Permanent Secretary in their role as Principal Accounting Officer, providing strong leadership for financial management, planning and partnering across the Department.
• Lead on financial planning and strategy, ensuring appropriate and robust forecasts are established to enable effective delivery of the department’s priorities as agreed at the recent Spending Review and driving forward efficiency commitments.
• Be an integral part of the organisation's senior management team, forging strong relationships with strategy, policy and operational teams across the organisation ensuring the financial strategy and plans are fully aligned to the organisation’s broader strategy and priorities.
• Attend the Departmental Management Board, Executive Committee and Audit & Risk Assurance Committee meetings, providing financial reporting, analysis and insight on key issues.
• Lead work on Fiscal Events and lead and manage the relationship with HM Treasury as well as overarching financial advice to Ministers on handling HMT commissions.
• Responsible for Departmental compliance with technical accounting and Government standards and overseeing the production of the Annual Report and Accounts
• Oversight of the IT, estates, security and Knowledge & Information Management teams.
• With the other COG Deputy Director, oversee the implementation of new technology and capabilities, including the use of AI tools.
• In partnership with the other COG Deputy Director, continue to develop and mature the corporate capabilities to support delivery of the department’s priorities and meet its legislative and regulatory responsibilities.