37174 - Strategy Manager

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Background

Her Majesty’s Court and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is an agency of the Ministry of Justice. We provide the supporting administration for the judiciary across England and Wales and deliver services to the public via a number of routes - directly, in court and tribunal buildings; remotely, via business and service centres; and, for some services, via the internet.

An effective courts and tribunals service is fundamental to our democracy, underpinning the rule of law. We are transforming the entire courts and tribunals service through the HMCTS Reform Programme, enhancing the provision of a world-class justice system, in a manner that provides an improved user experience at reduced cost to the taxpayer. This will contribute to consolidating the UK’s position at the forefront of an increasingly competitive international legal market as well as ensuring access to justice for all.

Job description

You will play a leading role in the strategy unit to ensure that HMCTS is ‘on the front foot’ for future developments, threats and opportunities. We work on projects that support HMCTS performance, extend HMCTS influence with key stakeholders and/or inform senior decision-making about HMCTS medium- and long-term priorities and the action needed now to deliver these goals. Current themes for our strategy work include HMCTS response to Covid, the Spending Review and a much more ambitious vision and data strategy. The unit also provides a trusted ‘rapid response’ and problem-solving function for senior leaders to respond to emergent challenges.

We are also recruiting for a G6 Head of Strategy Unit, who will have a significantly bigger leadership/management role for the Unit and across the organisation and so will directly ‘own’ slightly fewer projects – the G7/team leaders normally own and lead challenging projects with significant responsibility and autonomy. If you are unsure which role is the best fit then we would be happy to talk it through.

Your job will involve:

• You will lead and deliver a series of high-impact strategy projects with tangible impacts – this is the core of the role. You should expect to work on 2 projects at any time and 6-10 projects over the course of a year. This work normally includes
• Identifying the problem/opportunity and making a case for the project itself
• Scoping and planning, including securing senior sponsorship to ensure the outputs will have traction and establishing a ‘virtual team’ with relevant colleagues
• Significant research, analysis (in the broadest sense, as well as working with professional analysts) and collaboration/coordination in order to develop creative and realistic options and make recommendations
• Engagement, briefing and presentations to very senior colleagues in order to make and ‘land’ recommendations
• Continued engagement with relevant teams across HMCTS to support/influence delivery.
• You will lead and manage more junior colleagues and work through virtual teams to deliver outstanding work, and develop their performance and skills. You will lead and/or contribute to work to develop and embed shared standards and ways of working for the strategy unit, including building links with other strategy functions across MOJ and beyond.
• You will play a wider role in developing the organisation, by leading corporate projects within the division and/or across the directorate to develop strategic capabilities and performance, and/or wider developments of engagement, talent and/or culture.

Like all civil servants, you will be required to work in a flexible way and undertake any other duties reasonably requested by line management which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post.

Essential criteria

The civil service uses ‘success profiles’ to define the ability, experience, strengths, behaviours and technical requirements of our roles. To be successful in this role you will need the essential criteria of the Behaviours of making effective decisions, seeing the big picture, working together and delivering at pace – all at level 4.

We are looking for:

• Making effective decisions including establishing a shared understanding of the ‘exam question’, structured thinking and problem-solving, looking for innovative options and confidence in working with quantitative data including shaping and commissioning the work of professional analysts, and drawing conclusions from incomplete information.
• Seeing the big picture to identify opportunities, threats, challenges to overall HMCTS business, understanding our work in the wider context, and communicating effectively with senior leaders.
• Working together in terms of building and maintaining a network to achieve progress on shared objectives and building strong interpersonal relationships, as well as understanding colleagues’ varying experiences, strengths and needs and creating an inclusive working environment.
• Delivering at pace including ensuring everyone understands and owns their roles and responsibilities, giving honest, motivating and enthusiastic messages about priorities, objectives and expectations and ensuring delivery of timely quality outcomes.

HMCTS recognises the positive value of diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. We would particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented throughout HMCTS.

If you are interested in applying and would like more information about the role please contact Amanda Rossi (Amanda.Rossi1@Justice.gov.uk ) to set up an informal conversation with Rose Pennells (Deputy Director for Business Strategy, and vacancy manager).

Application Process

Initial written application

To apply for this position, please submit a short CV. We will also assess you against the behaviours set out above.

We provide further information on selection criteria on the 'Justice Jobs' site which will help you to think about and write your statement.

HMCTS uses name-blind applications - please remember to make sure your CV is anonymous before you upload it.

We will shortlist against the essential criteria. If there are many applicants we will conduct an initial sift against the Making Effective Decisions behaviour.

Interview stage

Following short-listing, we will invite candidates to a virtual interview, which will include a brief (5 minute) presentation and discussion. The total interview usually lasts around 45 minutes.

Candidates who pass the required standard for the role may be placed on a reserve list should the successful candidate decide not to take up the appointment or whereby further opportunities arise in the near future. Candidates will be kept on a reserve list for up to 12 months.

Terms & Conditions:

Flexible working options

HMCTS offers a flexible working system in many of its offices. Many people within the Business Strategy division work a flexible pattern – we are confident and proud about the benefits for people and how well it works for the business.

Job Sharing and Reduced Hours

All applications for job sharing or reduced hours will be treated fairly and on a case by case basis in accordance with the MoJ’s flexible working policy and equality policy.

Excess Fares and Relocation Allowances

This job is not eligible for relocation allowances but excess fares may be considered in accordance with MoJ’s excess fares allowance policy.