Deputy Director, Prisons Data and Deputy Director, HQ and agencies Data

October 27, 2025

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East Midlands (England), East of England, London (region), North East England, North West England, Scotland, South East England, South West England, Wales, West Midlands (England), Yorkshire and the Humber Job Summary This is a Nationally based role Job Description The Role In each post (Deputy Director for Prisons Data; Deputy Director for HQ and Agencies Data) you will be leading a team of around 50-75 staff who are dedicated to using our rich operational data and innovative techniques to improve the justice system. This is a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact on society, using cutting- edge technology to drive positive change in one of the most important areas of public life. This is an exciting time to be taking on these roles. The Deputy Director for Prisons Data will be responsible for all the Directorate’s work on Prisons, enabling the use of data for the efficient running of prisons; keeping prisoners and staff safe, and helping to prepare offenders for release into the community. You will also contribute to the delivery of the Independent Sentencing Reviews recommendations. The Deputy Director for HQ and agencies will be leading an ambitious programme of transformation across MoJ headquarters and HMCTS, the Legal Aid Agency, Office of the Public Guardian, and Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. You will drive efficiencies and services through better use of data analytics and engineering, and quality data management. You will also contribute to delivering the recommendations of the Independent Review of Criminal Courts (IRCC). In both roles, you will also be responsible for overseeing a professional community (Data Science and AI, or Data Analytics and Engineering), supporting their professional development, setting standards and driving innovation. You will have a deep understanding of data, and experience in either data science and AI, data analytics and engineering, or data governance. You will be able to apply this background to real-world problems in the justice system, and communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, and you will be comfortable presenting your work to senior decision- makers. We are looking for a high-quality candidate from the public or private sector who is passionate about using data and improving the insights it can offer to make a difference. If you have a track record of leading teams to deliver innovative solutions, and if you are committed to using your skills to improve the justice system, then we would love to hear from you. Key Responsibilities <ul><li>Build strong relationships with stakeholders for each business area (HMPPS, HMCTS, MoJ HQ and agencies), confidently representing the work of the Data Directorate and providing appropriate solutions for the business.</li><li>[Prisons Data DD role]: Lead Data’s work across Prisons, focussing on prison safety, the efficient running the prison regime and helping to prepare offenders for release. Support the Directorate’s contribution to the Independent Sentencing Review implementation.</li><li>[HQ and agencies data DD role]: Lead an ambitious programme of transformation across MoJ HQ and Key agencies (Legal Aid Agency, Office of the Public Guardian, Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority), using data pipelines, digital tools and quality data management to improve efficiency and outcomes. Lead Data’s contribution to implementing the recommendations of the IRCC.</li><li>Alongside the Service Transformation Group leadership team take collective ownership of leading the data, digital and technology community and playing an active part in the senior team to develop a strong, diverse and inclusive community.</li><li>Providing leadership, professional oversight and line management to the team, strengthening the capacity and skills of the unit’s and directorate’s staff and driving innovation which has a positive impact for MoJ. </li></ul>The Role In each post (Deputy Director for Prisons Data; Deputy Director for HQ and Agencies Data) you will be leading a team of around 50-75 staff who are dedicated to using our rich operational data and innovative techniques to improve the justice system. This is a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact on society, using cutting- edge technology to drive positive change in one of the most important areas of public life. This is an exciting time to be taking on these roles. The Deputy Director for Prisons Data will be responsible for all the Directorate’s work on Prisons, enabling the use of data for the efficient running of prisons; keeping prisoners and staff safe, and helping to prepare offenders for release into the community. You will also contribute to the delivery of the Independent Sentencing Reviews recommendations. The Deputy Director for HQ and agencies will be leading an ambitious programme of transformation across MoJ headquarters and HMCTS, the Legal Aid Agency, Office of the Public Guardian, and Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. You will drive efficiencies and services through better use of data analytics and engineering, and quality data management. You will also contribute to delivering the recommendations of the Independent Review of Criminal Courts (IRCC). In both roles, you will also be responsible for overseeing a professional community (Data Science and AI, or Data Analytics and Engineering), supporting their professional development, setting standards and driving innovation. You will have a deep understanding of data, and experience in either data science and AI, data analytics and engineering, or data governance. You will be able to apply this background to real-world problems in the justice system, and communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, and you will be comfortable presenting your work to senior decision- makers. We are looking for a high-quality candidate from the public or private sector who is passionate about using data and improving the insights it can offer to make a difference. If you have a track record of leading teams to deliver innovative solutions, and if you are committed to using your skills to improve the justice system, then we would love to hear from you. Key Responsibilities <ul><li>Build strong relationships with stakeholders for each business area (HMPPS, HMCTS, MoJ HQ and agencies), confidently representing the work of the Data Directorate and providing appropriate solutions for the business.</li><li>[Prisons Data DD role]: Lead Data’s work across Prisons, focussing on prison safety, the efficient running the prison regime and helping to prepare offenders for release. Support the Directorate’s contribution to the Independent Sentencing Review implementation.</li><li>[HQ and agencies data DD role]: Lead an ambitious programme of transformation across MoJ HQ and Key agencies (Legal Aid Agency, Office of the Public Guardian, Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority), using data pipelines, digital tools and quality data management to improve efficiency and outcomes. Lead Data’s contribution to implementing the recommendations of the IRCC.</li><li>Alongside the Service Transformation Group leadership team take collective ownership of leading the data, digital and technology community and playing an active part in the senior team to develop a strong, diverse and inclusive community.</li><li>Providing leadership, professional oversight and line management to the team, strengthening the capacity and skills of the unit’s and directorate’s staff and driving innovation which has a positive impact for MoJ. </li></ul>Person specification Please view our candidate information pack for full details about the role, key responsibilities person specification, and the criteria you will be assessed against throughout the recruitment process. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, and feel that you meet the criteria, we would welcome your application. 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. Diversity & Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. For full details about the Role, Key Responsibilities and Person Specification, please download and review the Candidate Information pack Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: <ul><li>Leadership</li><li>Changing and Improving</li><li>Delivering at Pace</li><li>Managing a Quality Service </li></ul>Alongside your salary of £81,000, Ministry of Justice contributes £23,465 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. <ul><li>Access to learning and development</li><li>A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance</li><li>A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity</li><li>A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%</li><li>Annual Leave</li><li>Public Holidays</li><li>Season Ticket Advance </li></ul>For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page. Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. For full details of the Selection Process and Recruitment Timeline, please view the Candidate Information pack. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. This role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years. An assignment duration is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through building your depth of expertise. As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups: <ul><li>UK nationals</li><li>nationals of the Republic of Ireland</li><li>nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK</li><li>nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)</li><li>nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)</li><li>individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020</li><li>Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service </li></ul>Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job Contact : <ul><li>Name : SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team</li><li>Email : Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com</li><li>Telephone : 0845 241 5359 </li></ul>Recruitment team <ul><li>Email : Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com </li></ul>Further information Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles and would like to raise this, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance. If the role has been advertised externally (outside of the Civil Service) and you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitment/complaints/ https://jobs.justice.gov.uk/careers/JobDetail/11133?entityId=11133

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