G7 Policy Lead

Ministry of Justice; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 59,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Training

Flexible working

Job summary

The Ministry of Justice is seeking a G7 Policy Lead to provide strategic leadership across a high-profile policy portfolio. You will set direction, shape priorities and drive delivery through others, advising Ministers and senior leaders with sound judgement.

Role may involve cross-government areas and requires autonomy, strong relationship-building and line management of staff. Hybrid working with 60% of time in office is expected where possible.

Qualifications

• Ability to provide strategic leadership on complex policy issues and translate ministerial priorities into deliverable plans.
• Experience in managing competing priorities and leading teams across organisations.
• Excellent communication with Ministers and senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across a high-profile policy portfolio.
• Translate priorities into deliverable plans and guide delivery.
• Lead cross-government collaboration and manage relationships with partners.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Cross-government collaboration

Policy delivery

Stakeholder management

Job description

As a G7 Policy Lead, you will provide strategic leadership across a high-profile policy portfolio, setting direction, shaping priorities and driving delivery through others. You will be expected to bring clarity to complex and sensitive issues, use judgement to make sound recommendations, and provide confident advice to Ministers and senior leaders. Depending on portfolio allocation, postholders may work across areas such as:

• Women's justice reform and cross-government strategy.
• Community provision, diversion and commissioning/funding.
• Female estate demand and capacity policy.

The role will require you to operate with a high degree of autonomy, manage competing priorities and lead work across organisational boundaries. You will need to build and maintain strong relationships across MoJ, HMPPS, other government departments and external partners, using influence and judgement to secure progress in a fast-moving policy environment. Postholders will be expected to take ownership of a portfolio, translate ministerial and senior priorities into deliverable plans, and provide visible leadership to colleagues working across the policy area. Roles will involve line management of at least one SEO Senior Policy Advisor.

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity. Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone's circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles: All successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) - See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity).

For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location's respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).

Some of MoJ's terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made. MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer. All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.

Flexible working hours The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ's Flexible Working policy.

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team. For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

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.

Redeployment Interview Scheme Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'. MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Expected: October 2026 Behaviours Leadership Communicating and Influencing Seeing the Big Picture Making Effective Decisions Strengths Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here. Level of security checks required Baseline Personnal Security Standard (BPSS).

We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate strong leadership, sound judgement and the ability to lead delivery through others. Successful candidates will be able to set direction on complex policy issues, make effective trade-offs, influence senior stakeholders and create the conditions for others to deliver high-quality work.

• Ability to provide strategic leadership on complex policy issues, turning evidence and analysis into clear, deliverable recommendations.
• Ability to lead through others, including setting direction, commissioning and assuring work, and developing colleagues.
• Strong judgement and decision-making in complex and ambiguous environments, including navigating risks, trade-offs and competing priorities.
• Ability to build influence and drive progress across organisational boundaries where there may be differing objectives or interests.
• Excellent communication skills, including providing clear and persuasive advice to Ministers and senior leaders.

The national salary range is £58,511 - £65,329, London salary range is £63,343 - £70,725. Your salary will be dependent on your base location, The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

• Annual Leave Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years' service. There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-ra basis.
• Pension The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
• Training The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
• Networks The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.
• Eligibility Staff on fixed term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition. Vacancies advertised "cross-government" are only open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners' rules.

Support

• A range of 'Family Friendly' policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
• Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range