Head of Policy, Judicial CollegeMinistry of Justice

22990

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Group/Directorate/Team: Strategy, Governance & Change team, Judicial College

Role: Head of Policy

Grade: G7

Role title:    Head of Policy

Team/Directorate:    Strategy, Governance & Change team, Judicial College

Overview of the Judicial Office

This is standardised wording and cannot be amended.[LC1.1]

The Judicial Office (JO) reports to, and is accountable to, 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 JusticeMoJ. 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 JusticeMoJ. The Judicial OfficeJO 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 is standardised wording and cannot be amended.

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.

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

CTC