Seo Estates Planning Lead

Ministry of Justice; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 43,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Annual leave and flexitime policies

Pension scheme

Family friendly policies

Job summary

The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) is part of the Ministry of Justice and leads a major estates transformation to modernise facilities, health & safety, and workplace services across sites. The role focuses on strategic reviews, workforce redesign and continuous improvement to deliver efficient, compliant, and flexible operations.

Working with HR, unions and senior leaders, you will shape future estate models, use data to inform decisions, and align services with 2030+ needs while managing

Qualifications

• Lead reviews of Estates, Facilities Management and Health & Safety models.
• Deliver long-term Estates Strategy aligned to 2030+ requirements.
• Produce data-driven analysis for strategic transformation.
• Present business cases to senior leaders for redesign initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement across estates and safety functions.

Responsibilities

• Lead reviews of operating models and identify efficiency opportunities.
• Align estates services with future business needs and priorities.
• Deliver high-quality analysis of workforce structures and service models.
• Develop and present data-driven recommendations and business cases.
• Harmonise services across multiple sites and foster flexible workforce.
• Collaborate with HR, unions and stakeholders on transformation plans.
• Support workforce planning beyond 2030 and resource forecasting.

Skills

Estates management

Facilities strategy

Data analysis

Change management

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

The OPG Estates and Health & Safety functions ensure the smooth and efficient operation of facilities management duties on a day-to-day basis. We manage this at both Victoria Square House and Embankment House and deliver essential services such as maintenance, property and leasehold, cleaning, and facilities management. We also undertake Display Screen Assessments, order office equipment and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. Many of these services are business critical and we cannot safely open our offices without them. Other duties include such things as, working with and consulting with key contractors, and suppliers, raising orders for workplace maintenance, issuing of government passes to new staff members and providing facilities information via digital channels to ensure staff are kept updated., This role will play a key part in shaping and delivering the Office of the Public Guardian's future Estates Strategy, ensuring estates, facilities management and health and safety services are efficient, sustainable and fit for the organisation's long-term needs. Working across multiple sites, the post holder will lead strategic reviews, organisational redesign and continuous improvement initiatives to create a more integrated and flexible operating model, delivering value for money and improved service outcomes. The role will use data and insight to inform decision-making, support workforce planning beyond 2030, and work closely with senior leaders, HR, Trade Unions and other stakeholders to drive transformational change and build a high-performing estates function aligned to future business requirements.

• Lead the review and evaluation of existing Estates, Facilities Management and Health & Safety operating models, processes and practices, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, effectiveness and service quality.
• Support the development and delivery of the organisation's long-term Estates Strategy, ensuring estates and workplace services are aligned to future business needs, workforce requirements and organisational priorities beyond 2030.
• Deliver high-quality analysis of estates operations, workforce structures and service delivery models, using evidence and insight to inform strategic decision-making and transformation activity.
• Produce and present clear, data-driven recommendations and business cases to senior leaders, demonstrating the benefits, impacts and value for money opportunities associated with service redesign, workforce restructuring and estates transformation.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across Estates, Facilities Management and Health & Safety functions, promoting innovation, best practice and operational excellence.
• Lead work to harmonise and integrate estates-related services across multiple sites, identifying opportunities to create a more flexible, multi-skilled workforce while improving resilience and reducing duplication.
• Work in partnership with Human Resources Business Partners and key stakeholders to review organisational structures, role profiles and workforce planning assumptions, supporting future workforce requirements and resource forecasting beyond 2030.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with Trade Unions, HR colleagues and other stakeholders to ensure transformation proposals align with employment legislation, organisational policies and good employee relations practices.
• Collaborate with Learning and Development teams to identify capability gaps and develop training solutions that strengthen organisational compliance with Health & Safety responsibilities and support workforce development.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to influence strategic planning, secure buy-in for change initiatives and ensure successful implementation of estates transformation programmes.
• Contribute to wider corporate priorities and undertake additional duties commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of the post.

Agreed Expectations The successful candidate will be expected to work from their base location on a weekly basis in line with current Civil Service requirements, outside of any reasonable adjustments. The role requires travel to both Nottingham and Birmingham offices,

• Personal statement no more than 1000 words which will be assessed against the essential skills above.
• Behaviours will be assessed at Level 3 (SEO)
• Changing and Improving (500 words) -Lead
• Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be under taken using the lead criteria/Behaviour:
• Changing and Improving

Interview Process If you are successful at sift, you will be invited to an interview which will use the Civil Service Success Profiles. At interview, candidates should expect questions on:

• The following Behaviours at Level 3
• Seeing The Big Picture
• Changing and Improving- A 5-minute presentation
• Communicating and Influencing
• Strengths relevant to the role

All interviews will be held remotely via MS Teams. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

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 role: 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.

Changing and Improving Experience We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods Statement of Suitability Statement of Suitability Guidance for the Statement of Suitability Personal statement no more than 1000 words which will be assessed against the essential skills Evidence of Experience Statement of SuitabilityInterview stage assessments Interview Dates Expected late October early November 2026 Behaviours Changing and Improving Communicating and Influencing Seeing the Big Picture Strengths Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please visit here. Level of security checks required Baseline Personnal Security Standard (BPSS)

Desirable Skills

• Membership of IWFM
• Briefing experience to senior management

The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) protects people in England and Wales who may not have the mental capacity to make certain decisions for themselves, such as about their health and finance. We are an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), set up in 2007 following the introduction of the Mental Capacity Act of 2005.

OPG is responsible for registering lasting powers of attorney (LPA) and enduring powers of attorney (EPA) and supervising deputies who are appointed by the Court of Protection. OPG is a fantastic place to work offering a range of development opportunities. The OPG is a disability confident employer and is committed to developing a supportive and inclusive environment that reflects the diverse community we serve. OPG is currently delivering an ambitious transformation programme. This will change the way we provide services and help us meet the growing needs of our users, partners and our stakeholders. It will make sure our users experience a better level of support and will help us to respond to the changing needs of society. Transformation will ensure we can better support adults at risk and create high-quality services that are accessible and affordable.

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. A Great Place to Work for Veterans The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces. For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

The national salary range is £42,914 - £46,182, London salary range is £49,325 - £53,081. 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-rata 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. 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 of goods and services.
• For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code 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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

• To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail [e-mail]);
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team ([e-mail]);
• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

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.