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General Information

Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
Internal
Location
National
Region
National
Closing Date
25-Jan-2026
Post Type
Expression of Interest
Civil Service Grade
SCS 1
Number of jobs available
1
Job ID
13597

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

The Role:

HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is seeking an outstanding Deputy Director to lead the Business and User Strategy division within the Strategy and Analysis directorate.  

This Deputy Director role provides strategic leadership and delivery oversight for HMCTS’ business strategy, judicial workforce and planning and strategy, policy and legislative priorities, corporate governance and Board Secretariat, and user strategy. This is a crucial function for HMCTS’s ambitions to drive business and user outcomes and run an effective and efficient courts and tribunals service meeting ministerial and judicial ambitions.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Work with the HMCTS Non-Executive Chairman and Board as well as Chief Executive Officer and senior executive and leadership teams to set HMCTS strategy.
  • Translate that strategy into annual business plans which drive HMCTS delivery and progress as well as linking through to the Ministry and the Judiciary.  
  • Ensure that strategy and business plans are informed and underpinned by robust horizon scanning on the opportunities and challenges ahead and make links into international jurisdictions and opportunities to learn from others internationally (e.g. OECD, Council of Europe). Co-lead and chair the HMCTS international oversight group to drive and co-ordinate engagement in meeting DPM priorities.  
  • Lead engagement with MoJ policy on legislative and policy development to embed operational priorities and perspectives.  
  • Lead or co-lead in HMCTS the development of key set piece events – e.g. for the King’s Speech, for Spending Reviews and Budgets (with Finance) and be the central point for new Minister/Parliament preparations and briefings.
  • Lead the HMCTS central role in judicial recruitment and capacity planning working with MOJ, the Judicial Appointments Commission, Judicial Office and Judicial College (which covers the recruitment and training of c1000 new judicial office holders each year).
  • Drive the development of strategic and innovative solutions to key issues and challenges identified by the Chair and CEO through running timely and impactful strategic priorities joining up across the agency and beyond. 
  • Lead the development of the organisation’s approach to supporting users, especially the most vulnerable. As such act as Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) for the Digital Support service which aims to combat digital exclusion.
  • Promote equalities across HMCTS, lead the provision of subject matter expertise and advice on Equalities Impact Assessments and oversee a programme of sectoral engagement to bring the user perspective into HMCTS business.
  • Lead the corporate governance function across the agency, complying with MOJ and cross-government standards and role modelling best practice. In parallel oversee the management of the Board Secretariat support to the Chair, Board and 7x executive committees.
  • Across all of the above represent HMCTS at departmental and judicial fora, ensuring operational reality informs policy decisions and court/tribunal practice. 

Person Specification:

Essential:

  • Strategic leadership through strategy development, alignment and planning in a complex organisation. 
  • Policy engagement and influencing the development of services and programmes underpinned by confident use of evidence and data
  • Flexibility and agility to juggle multiple and changing priorities and working to ministerial and judicial Principals
  • Stakeholder engagement, securing the confidence of very senior colleagues and communication in writing and in person. 
  • Programme leadership (including SRO responsibilities) and stewardship of critical business as usual activity. 

Desirable:

  • Experience of the justice system and working with senior judges.
  • Familiarity with digital inclusion strategies and governance/ public sector accountability.

Interview stage: 

At interview, as well as talking through your experience, you will be assessed against the following behaviours:

  • Leadership
  • Seeing the big picture
  • Making effective decisions
  • Communicating and influencing 

Additional Information

Terms of Appointment:

  • Level/Temporary Promotion
  • This role is being offered on a temporary basis for an anticipated period of 6 months.
  • The successful candidate will return to their home business unit at the end of the period.
  • The successful candidate must be available to take up the role as soon as possible within March 2026.

Location:   

National – The successful candidate will be required to travel to HMCTS HQ, 102 Petty France, London on regular basis. The role may also require infrequent travel to other national premises as required. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.  

Eligibility:

This EOI is open to all staff within the MoJ. You cannot apply if you were recruited via one of the following options:

  • Via exceptions 1-4 of the CS Commission’s Recruitment Principles – this means you were not recruited via open and fair competition.
  • If you are a Contractor or Agency worker – this is because you are not a substantive civil servant.
  • If you are seconded into the MoJ from an outside (non-Civil Service) organisation.

If you are on Loan into MoJ (including Executive Agencies):

To be able to apply to this EOI, your home government department line manager and your MoJ line Manager must approve your application for a different role

Contact Information
If you require any assistance please contact us on scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk. Please quote the job reference in your email to enable us to support you more quickly.

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Application form stage assessments

Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Statement of Suitability
Guidance for the Statement of Suitability
The Statement of Suitability is limited to 1000 words. Please explain how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience demonstrate your suitability for the role and provide evidence.
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Friday 13th February 2026
Behaviours
Leadership
Seeing the Big Picture
Making Effective Decisions
Communicating and Influencing
Level of security checks required
Security Clearance (SC)

Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)

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.