15812 - Deputy Private Secretary to the SPJ
| Dyddiad hysbysebu: | 17 Mawrth 2026 |
|---|---|
| Cyflog: | £49,325 i £53,081 bob blwyddyn |
| Oriau: | Llawn Amser |
| Dyddiad cau: | 31 Mawrth 2026 |
| Lleoliad: | WC2A 2LL |
| Gweithio o bell: | Hybrid - gweithio o bell hyd at 2 ddiwrnod yr wythnos |
| Cwmni: | Ministry of Justice |
| Math o swydd: | Parhaol |
| Cyfeirnod swydd: | 15812 |
Crynodeb
Job Description (JD)
Group/Directorate/Team: SPJ Private Office
Role: Deputy Private Secretary (DPS) to the Senior Presiding Judge
Grade: SEO
Role Title
Deputy Private Secretary to the Senior Presiding Judge
Team/Directorate
SPJ Private Office
Overview of the Judicial Office
(This is standardised wording and cannot be amended.)
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.
See JO staff talk about working here: https://design102.wistia.com/medias/uhgtmbtnlv
Overview of the Team
The Senior Presiding Judge (SPJ) is a senior member of the judiciary of England and Wales. They are appointed for a fixed two-year period.
The SPJ’s responsibilities and remit include:
- Providing support, leadership and guidance for courts judiciary and magistrates, particularly to leadership judges;
- Acting as ‘Chief of Staff’ for the Lady Chief Justice, dealing with day-to-day issues affecting the judiciary, across a wide-ranging field including judicial appointments, HR casework, diversity, judicial security, and matters relating to the court estate;
- Representing the Lady Chief Justice on the HMCTS Board and attending a number of other high-profile boards; and
- Ensuring the effective and efficient operation of the courts, including regular engagement with those involved in the work of the courts, and working with judges to understand and improve performance.
The SPJ is supported in these responsibilities by the Deputy Senior Presiding Judge (DSPJ).
The Private Office team is responsible for providing strategic support, advice, and coordination for the SPJ and DSPJ on all areas of their portfolio.
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
We are recruiting a permanent Deputy Private Secretary (DPS) to join the Private Office of the Senior Presiding Judge.
This is a frontline role working directly with members of the senior judiciary to deliver their priorities. The postholder will provide a critical interface between the SPJ / DSPJ and partners across the justice system. They will handle complex and confidential issues in order to provide advice and support to the senior judiciary, enabling them to discharge their responsibilities.
As one of several DPSs in the team, you will have day-to-day responsibility for a number of high-profile areas that fall within the SPJ’s portfolio. You will be expected to build a good understanding of these areas, including live issues, challenges and opportunities, partners and stakeholders, and the role of the SPJ in decision-making. You will also be expected to understand the wider work of the private office and will have opportunities to lead on ad hoc projects.
Please be aware that Private Office roles can be unpredictable and may require working long hours and, very occasionally, at weekends. It may be necessary to support the SPJ and DSPJ on visits across the country and therefore some travel will likely be required.
Responsibilities, Activities & Duties
Key responsibilities will include:
- Establishing themselves as a trusted advisor to the SPJ and DSPJ.
- Providing high-quality briefings, advice and recommendations, and providing challenge where appropriate.
- Supporting the SPJ and DSPJ in managing their relationships with partners across the justice system. Identifying opportunities for engagement with stakeholders.
- Remaining alert to live and emerging issues, dealing with issues on behalf of the senior judiciary and escalating where required. Maintaining a forward look of known activity and ensuring preparations are made in advance where possible.
- Supporting the SPJ and DSPJ to deliver standalone projects which they lead on behalf of the judiciary.
- Building strong working relationships with members of the judiciary and magistracy, as well as officials across the Judicial Office, MoJ and HMCTS. Understanding others’ roles and responsibilities, establishing hand‑off points, and ensuring effective and timely sharing of information.
- Demonstrating collective leadership as part of the management team of the private office, including line management of at least one member of staff.
Essential Knowledge, Experience and Skills
- Experience of influencing at senior levels: drafting briefings, providing advice, and making evidence-based recommendations.
- Experience of working at pace, managing competing priorities, and taking decisions in a fast-moving environment.
Group/Directorate/Team: SPJ Private Office
Role: Deputy Private Secretary (DPS) to the Senior Presiding Judge
Grade: SEO
Role Title
Deputy Private Secretary to the Senior Presiding Judge
Team/Directorate
SPJ Private Office
Overview of the Judicial Office
(This is standardised wording and cannot be amended.)
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.
See JO staff talk about working here: https://design102.wistia.com/medias/uhgtmbtnlv
Overview of the Team
The Senior Presiding Judge (SPJ) is a senior member of the judiciary of England and Wales. They are appointed for a fixed two-year period.
The SPJ’s responsibilities and remit include:
- Providing support, leadership and guidance for courts judiciary and magistrates, particularly to leadership judges;
- Acting as ‘Chief of Staff’ for the Lady Chief Justice, dealing with day-to-day issues affecting the judiciary, across a wide-ranging field including judicial appointments, HR casework, diversity, judicial security, and matters relating to the court estate;
- Representing the Lady Chief Justice on the HMCTS Board and attending a number of other high-profile boards; and
- Ensuring the effective and efficient operation of the courts, including regular engagement with those involved in the work of the courts, and working with judges to understand and improve performance.
The SPJ is supported in these responsibilities by the Deputy Senior Presiding Judge (DSPJ).
The Private Office team is responsible for providing strategic support, advice, and coordination for the SPJ and DSPJ on all areas of their portfolio.
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
We are recruiting a permanent Deputy Private Secretary (DPS) to join the Private Office of the Senior Presiding Judge.
This is a frontline role working directly with members of the senior judiciary to deliver their priorities. The postholder will provide a critical interface between the SPJ / DSPJ and partners across the justice system. They will handle complex and confidential issues in order to provide advice and support to the senior judiciary, enabling them to discharge their responsibilities.
As one of several DPSs in the team, you will have day-to-day responsibility for a number of high-profile areas that fall within the SPJ’s portfolio. You will be expected to build a good understanding of these areas, including live issues, challenges and opportunities, partners and stakeholders, and the role of the SPJ in decision-making. You will also be expected to understand the wider work of the private office and will have opportunities to lead on ad hoc projects.
Please be aware that Private Office roles can be unpredictable and may require working long hours and, very occasionally, at weekends. It may be necessary to support the SPJ and DSPJ on visits across the country and therefore some travel will likely be required.
Responsibilities, Activities & Duties
Key responsibilities will include:
- Establishing themselves as a trusted advisor to the SPJ and DSPJ.
- Providing high-quality briefings, advice and recommendations, and providing challenge where appropriate.
- Supporting the SPJ and DSPJ in managing their relationships with partners across the justice system. Identifying opportunities for engagement with stakeholders.
- Remaining alert to live and emerging issues, dealing with issues on behalf of the senior judiciary and escalating where required. Maintaining a forward look of known activity and ensuring preparations are made in advance where possible.
- Supporting the SPJ and DSPJ to deliver standalone projects which they lead on behalf of the judiciary.
- Building strong working relationships with members of the judiciary and magistracy, as well as officials across the Judicial Office, MoJ and HMCTS. Understanding others’ roles and responsibilities, establishing hand‑off points, and ensuring effective and timely sharing of information.
- Demonstrating collective leadership as part of the management team of the private office, including line management of at least one member of staff.
Essential Knowledge, Experience and Skills
- Experience of influencing at senior levels: drafting briefings, providing advice, and making evidence-based recommendations.
- Experience of working at pace, managing competing priorities, and taking decisions in a fast-moving environment.