24028 - Deputy Director, Criminal Justice System Strategy and Reform

Ministry of Justice UK • Town of North East, NY

6d

About The Position

The Criminal Justice System Strategy and Reform Directorate provides strategic leadership to improve the criminal justice system as a whole. It connects partners, develops a shared system view, supports evidence-led prioritisation, addresses cross-system issues, and helps departments and agencies deliver reform effectively. The Directorate is a relatively new, small team with two Deputy Director-led divisions.

This senior leadership role supports the Government’s work to strengthen collective leadership across the criminal justice system. The role may evolve as Government priorities emerge. Likely priorities include developing and implementing a shared vision, strategy and outcomes for the Criminal Justice System; building a whole-system view of performance, demand, capacity, risk and delivery; preparing across the system for the next Spending Review; using data, analysis and operational insight to inform strategic choices; and supporting devolution and place-based reform from a whole-system perspective.

The portfolio will be managed flexibly between job-share partners, enabling each to contribute their experience and strengths while maintaining clear, continuous leadership. As a member of the Directorate’s senior leadership team, the postholder will contribute collectively to its strategy, people, culture, resources and corporate contribution to the Ministry of Justice. The role reports to the Director and includes leadership of a team of approximately 15–20 full-time-equivalent staff.

Requirements

• Strong track record of visible, inclusive and supportive leadership in a complex environment, setting clear direction and enabling multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality outcomes.
• Experience translating strategic ambitions or political priorities into clear outcomes, practical programmes of work and deliverable plans, with effective ownership, sequencing, risk management and review arrangements.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, including credibility to advise ministers or senior officials, explain complex issues clearly, build a persuasive shared narrative and encourage collective action across organisational or professional boundaries without direct authority.
• Experience combining policy, operational, analytical, financial and stakeholder perspectives to provide rigorous advice and support decision-making.

Nice To Haves

• A track record of providing visible, inclusive and supportive leadership in the criminal justice system.

Responsibilities

• Provide visible, inclusive leadership across the Directorate, particularly for a team of approximately 15–20 FTE, setting clear priorities and enabling teams to perform at their best.
• Lead the development and delivery of a shared vision, strategy and outcomes for the criminal justice system.
• Bring together political priorities, evidence, operational insight and longer-term trends to support coherent strategic choices.
• Advise ministers and senior officials on complex cross-system issues, including priorities, dependencies, risks and trade-offs.
• Build trusted relationships with senior leaders across the Ministry of Justice, Home Office, Attorney General’s Office, criminal justice agencies, the judiciary, policing and other partners.
• Lead development of a Criminal Justice System horizon-scanning and insights function to improve preparation for emerging challenges and opportunities.
• Lead cross-system work to prepare for SR27.
• Lead cross-CJS policy development on devolution.
• Contribute collectively as a senior leadership team member to the Directorate’s strategy, people, culture, resources and corporate contribution to the Ministry of Justice.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed