Director, Planning, Performance and Risk

Ministry of Justice UK; Remote; GBP 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental department in the UK is seeking a Director of Planning, Performance, and Risk. The role requires strategic leadership to enhance transparency and risk management, driving improvements across the Criminal Justice System. Candidates should possess a strong record in delivering strategic outcomes in complex environments and demonstrate ability to lead inclusive teams through change. The position offers a salary of £100,000 - £120,000 and is permanent with a closing date for applications on January 25, 2026.

Qualifications

• Credible senior leader with a strong track record in complex delivery environments.
• Ability to lead inclusive teams through change.
• Excellent understanding of performance management in complex organisations.
• Strong communication skills to present information to stakeholders.
• Experience in building collaboration across organisations.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for overseeing departmental-wide performance and improvement plans.
• Develop Justice Delivery Plan translating ministerial priorities into outcomes.
• Manage performance processes for ExCo and ministers.
• Ensure business continuity and preparedness for incidents.
• Facilitate risk management and governance across the department.

Skills

Leadership

Performance management

Communication

Risk management

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