Sheriffdom Business Manager

Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 61,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

25 days annual leave

Civil Service Pension

Family friendly policies

Learning and development

Job summary

Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) is seeking two Sheriffdom Business Managers to provide strategic and operational leadership across Sheriffdoms, guiding court services and supporting the judiciary and justice partners.

You will lead high-performing teams, drive service improvement, analyse performance data and build strong relationships with stakeholders. This senior role demands credibility, resilience and a proven track record in complex public sector environments.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of the justice system and its stakeholders.
• Experience leading organisational change and service improvement.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical skills with data-driven decision making.
• Experience providing strategic advice to senior leaders.
• Track record of building partnerships and delivering results through collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across the Sheriffdom.
• Support the Sheriff Principal in efficient and timely disposal of court business.
• Lead high-performing teams and foster an inclusive, values-led culture.
• Drive service improvement, innovation and organisational change.
• Analyse performance information to inform decision-making and resource planning.
• Build and maintain relationships with judiciary, government, justice agencies and key stakeholders.
• Contribute to wider SCTS strategy, policy development and corporate priorities.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operational leadership

Stakeholder management

Change management

Excellent communication

Analytical skills

Advising senior leaders

Partnership building

Job description

SCTS a great place to work, learn and develop

Positions will be based in the Sheriff Court in either Lothian & Borders or Glasgow & Strathkelvin Sheriffdoms. This is not a hybrid role. You will be based in one of the locations every day

Starting Salary from £61,220 + benefits

Joining SCTS means that you are joining an organisation that plays a key role in the administration of justice. We fulfil our purpose by providing the people, buildings and services needed to support the judiciary, the courts, devolved tribunals and the office of the public guardian (OPG). Our work focuses on improving access to justice, reducing delay and cost within the justice system, modernising our services in line with reform, and using leading technology to improve our services for everyone.

Outline of the role:

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service is seeking two experienced and dynamic leaders to join our senior management team as Sheriffdom Business Managers.

This is a high-profile leadership role offering the opportunity to influence the delivery of justice services across Scotland. Working closely with the Sheriff Principal and senior justice partners, you will provide strategic direction, operational leadership and oversight of court services across your Sheriffdom, ensuring the effective and efficient administration of justice.

As a member of the SCTS senior leadership community, you will play a key role in driving organisational change, delivering continuous improvement and ensuring services remain responsive to the needs of court users, the judiciary and justice system partners.

You will:

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across the Sheriffdom.
• Support the Sheriff Principal in the efficient and timely disposal of court business.
• Lead high-performing teams and foster an inclusive, values-led culture.
• Drive service improvement, innovation and organisational
• Analyse performance information to inform decision-making and resource planning.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with judiciary, government, justice agencies and other key stakeholders.
• Contribute to wider SCTS strategy, policy development and corporate priorities.

We are looking for a credible and resilient leader who can operate effectively at a senior level within a complex operational environment.

You will demonstrate:

• Strong knowledge of the justice system, its stakeholders and operating environment.
• Experience of leading organisational change and service improvement.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to use performance and management information to drive improvement.
• Experience of providing strategic advice and recommendations to senior leaders.
• A track record of building successful partnerships and delivering results through collaboration.

Experience of working with the judiciary and delivering effective corporate governance would be advantageous.

To help direct us towards achieving our purpose successfully, we embrace three key values of respect, service and excellence. These guide our behaviour, decisions and actions - in pursuit of fulfilling our purpose to the highest standard.

Our benefits include:

• Flexible working arrangements
• 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 days after 2 years’ service) plus 12 public and privilege holidays
• Special leave and paid leave for study or voluntary public service
• Excellent Civil Service Pension Scheme
• Family friendly policies
• Free and confidential Employee Assistance
• A variety of staff discounts and offers with major retailers
• Payment of professional membership fees
• Access to opportunities across all Civil Service departments that are not available to non-Civil Servants
• A supportive and professional induction programme with regular check-ins with your line manager
• Job stability and security with excellent and varied career prospects
• Security of full pay when unwell (up to a maximum of 6 months)
• Learning and development (including digital) opportunities

About SCTS

SCTS is committed to equality and diversity in employment and service delivery. The work of SCTS covers a broader range of issues than you may think. In providing support to Scotland’s courts, devolved tribunals and the OPG, we touch the lives of many people on a daily basis – be that through formal court or tribunal business, fulfilling your civic duty as a juror, paying fees or fines, seeking help in managing the affairs of an incapable adult or dealing with the estate of a loved one who has passed away. SCTS deals with over a quarter of a million cases and applications each year. Behind each one of these is an individual – looking to the system to help them assert their rights, address wrongs or provide support in a time of need. It is this work – which takes place every day in our courts, tribunals and administrative centres across Scotland – that consumes most of the time, energy and skill of our staff. We take pride in working as one team and providing high levels of service to all those who use the courts, tribunals and OPG.

Please specify on your application if you would like to be considered for both roles or for one specific location.

The selection process will include a presentation and psychometric assessment for candidates invited to interview.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK and meet Civil Service nationality requirements. SCTS is currently unable to offer sponsorship.

A Level 2 Disclosure check and other pre-employment security checks will be required.

The closing date for the post is: 30 September 2026.

Interviews will be held 22nd and 23rd October 2026.

Rehabilitation of Offenders

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service is exempt from the protections of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974). This permits us to ask applicants details of both spent and unspent convictions, along with details of any formal cautions that you may have. Individuals without existing security clearance will always be considered as all successful applicants will require a standard level Disclosure check completed before employment can commence.

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

Recruitment Principles:

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

Complaints:

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact Government Recruitment Service by email at: [e-mail] If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at [e-mail].

For further information on the Recruitment Principles and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.