Director, Planning, Performance and Risk

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

Job summary

A national government agency is seeking a Director of Planning, Performance, and Risk to lead departmental improvements and risk management strategies. The successful candidate will oversee senior leaders and drive forward transparency in the Criminal Justice System. Applicants should possess extensive experience in senior leadership, effective performance management, and strong communication skills. This permanent role is based in the UK with a salary between £100,000 and £120,000, and the closing date for applications is January 25, 2026.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in a senior leadership role.
• Proven track record in driving strategic and operational outcomes.
• Ability to lead inclusive teams through change.

Responsibilities

• Drive improvements in departmental activity.
• Lead the Directorate and manage senior team members.
• Oversee performance and improvement plans.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Performance management

Risk management

Communication skills

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