Ministry of Justice UK
22990 - Head of Policy, Judicial College
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Head of Policy
Group/Directorate/Team
Strategy, Governance & Change team, Judicial College
Role title
Head of Policy
Grade
G7
Overview of the Judicial Office
The Judicial Office (JO) reports to, and is accountable to, the Lady Chief Justice (LCJ). It was established in 2006 to provide support to the LCJ and to the wider judiciary in upholding the rule of law and in delivering justice impartially, speedily and efficiently, following the Constitutional Reform Act 2005. In addition, we support, and are accountable to, the Senior President of Tribunals, whose responsibilities extend to Scotland and Northern Ireland. The JO is an interesting and unique place to work. Everything we do is in support of upholding the independence and impartiality of the judiciary. We work closely with HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and others across Government as well as with the legal professions. We are an Arm’s Length Body sponsored by the Ministry of Justice. This creates an interesting and complex environment in which to work where we agree our priorities with the senior judiciary and receive our funding to deliver them from the Ministry of Justice. The Judicial Office has been through a period of significant growth resulting from an expansion of our remit and responsibilities.
Overview of the team
The Judicial College trains 24,000 judges, coroners, tribunal members, magistrates and legal advisers each year, equipping them with the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to perform their roles effectively and maintain public confidence in the administration of justice. The Strategy, Governance and Change team sits at the heart of the College. We lead policy and governance, shape the College's strategic direction, support its senior judicial leadership and coordinate external domestic and international engagement. We take pride in working together to help the College achieve the commitments in its strategy for 2026-30 and its vision to be a world leader in judicial education.
Hybrid Working Requirement
This position is eligible for hybrid working (current minimum requirement for time spent at base location is 60%, which is subject to business requirements).
Summary of the role
As Head of Policy, you’ll play a lead role in shaping the future of judicial education and training. Working closely with senior judges and officials, you’ll lead the development of policy, oversee international training arrangements to support the global rule of law, advise and support the College's judicial leadership, oversee governance arrangements and help drive delivery of the College's strategic priorities. This is a varied and high-profile role that offers opportunities to influence key decisions and significant exposure to senior stakeholders across the judiciary, government and wider justice sector. You’ll lead a dedicated team and be part of the College and wider Judicial Office leadership community.
Responsibilities, Activities & Duties
The Head of Policy:
- Leads the development and implementation of policy to support fulfilment of the College’s responsibilities, training programmes, strategic objectives and ways of working.
- Provides strategic advice, briefing and support to the College’s three judicial Directors of Training and its Chair (a Court of Appeal Judge and member of the Judicial Executive Board), helping them to deliver judicial priorities and make informed decisions on complex issues.
- Coordinates the College’s public reporting and transparency activity, supporting appropriate openness and accountability while safeguarding judicial independence.
- Oversees the College's international engagement, ensuring activities are strategically aligned and coordinated, and supporting lead judges to set direction and build and maintain effective partnerships across international judicial training networks and with individual jurisdictions.
- Leads effective, proportionate and forward-looking governance arrangements, including oversight of the College Board and its supporting committees.
- Builds strong relationships across the judiciary, government and wider justice sector to ensure the College remains aligned with senior judicial priorities and responsive to emerging policy developments.
- Provides visible and inclusive leadership to their team (currently 9 from EO to SEO), developing capability, fostering collaboration and creating an inclusive environment that enables everyone to flourish.
- Contributes to the wider leadership of the College and Judicial Office, supporting organisational priorities and driving continuous improvement.
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Essential Knowledge, Experience and Skills
The successful candidate will have:
- Experience of developing policy, influencing decisions and/or driving improvements in a complex environment.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex issues clearly and adapt messages for different audiences.
- Strong judgement and problem-solving skills, with the confidence to navigate complexity and ambiguity and handle sensitive issues with discretion.
- The ability to absorb, interpret and synthesise information from a range of sources, drawing out key insights and developing practical, pragmatic and credible recommendations.
- Highly effective organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver consistently high-quality work.
- The ability to build trusted and collaborative relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
- Experience of supporting senior leaders, or the confidence and credibility to do so effectively.
- Experience of leading, managing or coordinating others to achieve shared goals and deliver positive outcomes.
- An understanding of or interest in the judiciary and/or the wider justice system.
Behaviours (for Recruitment/Success Profiles)
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
- Making Effective Decisions
- Leadership
Assessment process at application
To apply, please provide:
- a statement of suitability of no more than 500 words setting out what drew you to the role and evidence that you have the essential knowledge, experience and skills
- two behaviour examples of no more than 250 words each on (1) Seeing the Big Picture and (2) Working Together Applications may be sifted initially on the lead behaviour of Seeing the Big Picture.
Assessment process at interview
Candidates invited to interview will be asked to prepare a short presentation (testing Seeing the Big Picture) and will be asked for behaviour examples on Working Together, Making Effective Decisions and Leadership. You will also be asked three strength-based questions.
Security clearance required
Select one of the below. (this will be determined by the location)
- DBS
- CTC
- SC
- DV
Please note: Central Government policy dictates that applicants for National Security Clearance must be a resident in the UK for these minimum periods:
- CTC - 3 years
- SC - 5 years
- DV - 10 years
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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
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