Director, Planning, Performance and Risk

Ministry of Justice UK; Bristol; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A government department in the UK is looking for a Director of Planning, Performance and Risk. This pivotal role involves strategic leadership and oversight of performance and risk management across the Criminal Justice System. The successful candidate will lead a high-performing team, driving improvements while working closely with ministers and stakeholders to ensure successful delivery of departmental goals. Offering a salary between £100,000 - £120,000, this is a permanent position requiring strong leadership and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of delivering strategic and operational outcomes.
• Experience leading high-performing teams through change.
• Strong understanding of performance management and planning.

Responsibilities

• Drive departmental activity to improve transparency and risk management.
• Provide strategic leadership and line-manage SCS1s.
• Ensure business continuity and preparedness for major incidents.

Skills

Leadership

Performance Management

Communication

Collaboration

Job description

Job Title :

Location : United Kingdom

Salary :

Job title : Director, Planning, Performance and Risk

Location : National

Contract : Permanent

Salary : Candidates should expect their salary upon appointment to be between£100,000 - £120,000.

Closing Date : 23 : 55 on Sunday 25th January 2026

The Role

The Director Planning and Performance will drive forward departmental activity to improve transparency, assurance and risk management, helping to drive improvements in delivery.

You will provide strategic leadership for the Directorate and will directly line-manage up to five SCS1s including the Deputy Directors for Planning, Performance & Improvement, the Chief Risk Officer and the head of the Departmental Operations Centre. The head of the new the new dedicated Performance Unit will also report to you and together you will deliver a step-change in performance oversight across the Criminal Justice System.

Key Responsibilities

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer you will be accountable for :

• An intelligence-led, end-to-end process that oversees departmental-wide performance and improvement plans via the newly-established Justice Performance Board.
• Development of the Justice Delivery Plan, translating ministerial priorities into measurable outcomes and supporting their delivery.
• The performance process for ExCo and ministers, including ownership of the MoJ's performance dashboard and producing regular, insight-driven 6 reports.
• The Departmental Operations Centre (DOC), ensuring business continuity, resilience and preparedness for major incidents.
• The Risk Management and Governance Centres of Expertise, facilitating a continuously improving approach to risk management and information flows throughout the department, ensuring that our decisions are well-informed.

Essential criteria

• A credible and experienced senior leader, with a strong track record of delivering strategic and operational outcomes and systems leadership across complex, multi-agency delivery landscapes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead high-performing inclusive teams through change, including during periods of organisational review, transition, or uncertainty.
• Excellent understanding of performance management, planning and delivery assurance in complex organisations.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to present complex information credibly and clearly to ministers and senior stakeholders, inspiring confidence and securing buy-in across all levels of the organisation.
• Proven ability to work across organisational boundaries, building collaboration and shared ownership of outcomes.
• Sound judgement and resilience in managing risk and balancing pace with quality assurance.

Desirable Experience

• Experience of leading major business planning or performance improvement functions in the public sector.
• Familiarity with central government governance and perform