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We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

The Court Recovery, Criminal and Family Justice Directorate is recruiting permanently for Higher Executive Officer (HEO) Corporate Business Manager. This campaign is being run externally and so is open to all who consider themselves suitable for the roles and meet the eligibility criteria in the wider advert within Civil Service Jobs. 

Location:

Successful candidates will have the option to be based at one of the following locations:

• 102 Petty France, London
• 5 Wellington Place, Leeds (occasional travel between Leeds and London may be required) 

In order for Policy Group to meet its evolving business needs all Policy Group staff are expected to attend their base location (102 Petty France or 5 Wellington Place Leeds) at least 2 days a week.  This hybrid working arrangement is not contractual and as a result staff could be asked to attend their base location more frequently. 

Ways of Working

At the MoJ we believe and promote alternative ways of working, these roles are available as:

• Full-time, part-time or the option to job share

• Flexible working patterns
• Flexible working arrangements between base locations, MoJ Hubs and home.

If we receive applications from more suitable candidates than we have vacancies for at this time, we may hold suitable applicants on a reserve list for 12 months, and future vacancies requiring the same skills and experience could be offered to candidates on the reserve list without a new competition. 

We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity 

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ)

MOJ is one of the largest government departments, employing over 80,000 people (including those in the Probation Service), with a budget of approximately £9 billion. Each year, millions of people use our services across the UK - including at 500 courts and tribunals, and 133 prisons in England and Wales. 

Further information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice 

The Work of Court Recovery, Criminal and Family Justice Directorate 

This directorate is a high-profile, friendly and supportive team, responsible for policy on criminal courts, the criminal justice system, and family justice as well as recovery from the pandemic in courts and tribunals. The main focus is ensuring justice is delivered swiftly and effectively so that people are treated fairly and have confidence in the justice system. We have a varied policy portfolio and work closely with Ministers and senior officials to make sure that the Government continues to make progress on its priorities. 

At the centre of this directorate is the Business Management Unit, which provides business management and PA support to the Director, the Senior Management Team and the wider directorate, enabling them to work effectively and efficiently in the delivery of their policy and corporate objectives. The team consists of two HEO Business Managers and three EO Personal Assistants, led by a Grade 7 Team Leader. 

Corporate Business Manager - the role 

This role will require an individual who has a passion for excellent service delivery, outstanding relationship management skills and excellent organisational skills. You will be comfortable managing your own workload whilst enjoying being part of a wider team, working alongside the Policy Business Manager and PAs to deliver a high-quality business management function. 

This role requires close working with CRCFJ’s senior management team as well as engaging with colleagues across directorate, central corporate functions and counterparts in other directorates. You will take the lead on a number of business support functions and will be responsible for the implementation and management of relevant systems and processes. These will include finance, workforce tracking, information management, business continuity, and accommodation. There is also opportunity for line management responsibility. 

The successful candidate will need to be dynamic and adaptable, with the ability to prioritise across a broad range of subject areas, as well as the ability to quickly grasp how the individual programmes fit with the big picture. You will be required to use your judgement as well as following instructions and will be expected to use initiative to identify priorities and issues that need your attention. 

Your responsibilities will include:

• Maintaining directorate finance and workforce information and drawing data from a variety of sources to respond to regular commissions from central Finance and HR teams and giving regular updates to the Senior Management Team. You should have a keen eye to identify anomalies and use initiative to pre-empt potential problems and prevent them from occurring.
• Managing payments including tracking and paying invoices, setting up purchase orders and managing approvals registers. You will be expected to liaise with senior colleagues across government and in external organisations swiftly and professionally.
• Building strong networks with MoJ’s central functions (including Finance, HR and Estates) and acting as an interface between them and the directorate. You will have a key part in resolving queries by working closely with colleagues in the central corporate teams and wider members of CRCFJ.
• Coordinating the directorate’s performance management processes and having oversight of the Reward and Recognition programme. You will run a quarterly exercise for awards and analyse the overall data in order to report trends to the Senior Management Team.
• Leading some key cross-cutting and corporate activities including learning and development, information management and diversity and inclusion. You will be expected to work closely with directorate corporate groups where aspects cross over into their areas of interest.

• Contributing to improving how the Business Management Unit works and how we work with colleagues across the Department. 

Skills and Experience 

Essential:

• A passion for excellent service delivery.
• Experience of working in an administrative or business support role.
• Confident interpreting financial information.
• Confident building strong personal relationships across a large and complex organisation.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• An eye for detail and an ability to work at pace calmly.
• Proficient Microsoft Office software skills. 

Desirable:

• Experience of budget management. 

Candidates applying from HMPPS should note that the Ministry of Justice does not have the same conditions of employment as HMPPS. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful. 

The MoJ is proud to be Level 3 Disability Confident. Disability Confident is the approach through which we offer guaranteed interviews for all people with disabilities meeting the minimum criteria for the advertised role as set out in the job description. 

Application process

You will be assessed against the Civil service success profiles framework. 

Experience 

You will be asked to provide a CV during the application process in order to assess any demonstrable experience, career history and achievements that are relevant to the role. 

You will also be asked to upload a Statement of Suitability of no more than 250 words stating what you would bring to the role, with reference to the Skills and Experience listed above. 

Behaviours

During the application process you will be asked to provide an example of how you have met the following behaviour (see Annex A for more information): 

• Managing a Quality Service
• Changing and Improving
• Working Together 

Please also refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/717275/CS_Behaviours_2018.pdf 

Should we receive a large number of applications, we will sift primarily on the lead behaviour of Managing a Quality Service. Successful applicants will then be invited to an interview, testing both behaviours and strengths. 

Candidates invited to Interview

Please note that interviews will be carried out remotely. During the panel interview, you will be asked behaviour-based questions to explore in detail what you are capable of, and strengths-based questions to also explore what you enjoy, and your motivations relevant to the job role. 

There is no expectation or requirement for you to prepare for the strengths-based questions in advance of the interview, though you may find it helpful to spend some time reflecting on what you enjoy doing and what you do well. 

You can refer to the CS Strengths dictionary for more details:  Success Profiles - Civil Service Strengths Dictionary (publishing.service.gov.uk) 

Interviews are expected to take place January 2023. 

Contact information  

Please do get in touch if you would like to know more about the role or what it is like working in our team: hannah.stirland@justice.gov.uk