10838 - Private Secretary to the CEO, HMCTS

General Information

Salary £63,343 - £70,725 Working Pattern Full Time Vacancy Approach Cross Government Location London Region London Closing Date 29-Oct-2025 Post Type Permanent Civil Service Grade Grade 7 Number of jobs available 1 Reserve List 12 Months Job ID 10838

Descriptions & Requirements

Job description

Job title: Private Secretary to the CEO, HMCTS

Directorate: CEO’s Office, HMCTS

Location: 102 Petty France, London, SW1H 9AJ

About Us

HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) enables access to justice for over 4.2m cases every year, by the administration of criminal, civil and family courts and tribunals in England and Wales. Our roles support our service users and colleagues, where people and businesses access potentially life-changing justice.  We’re looking for individuals who are committed to public service and want to make a difference in people’s lives in delivering justice. If you’re interested in developing a career with a real purpose, please apply.

About the CEO’s team

This role is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in driving forward the CEO’s key objectives at a critical time for courts and tribunals. HMCTS has invested in digitisation making the justice system more accessible and easier for the public to engage with, at some of the most difficult points of their lives. We are seeking to maximise productivity across all jurisdictions, considering the right digital and operational interventions, alongside supporting interventions from Government and the judiciary. We are also supporting the change agenda to tackle growing demand in key areas including the criminal justice system and the immigration and asylum chamber, and delivery of major policy change on renter’s rights, employment rights, and mental health.

And we continue to deliver the day to day operations of courts and tribunals, with the CEO responsible for 18,000 staff working across 330 sites and 250 IT systems. HMCTS has joint accountability to the Lord Chancellor, the Lady Chief Justice and Senior President of the Tribunals (‘the Principals’) for the effective and efficient operation of the courts and tribunals, and is overseen ​by a Board, headed by an independent Chair working with executive, non-executive and judicial members to ensure delivery of the Principals’ objectives.

The CEO’s private office is a supportive, collaborative and dedicated team. As the interface between the CEO, the organisation, the Ministry of Justice and the judiciary, we work closely with operational, policy and judicial colleagues, other Government departments, and criminal justice agencies to deliver shared outcomes.

About The Role

As a Private Secretary to the CEO, you will help deliver the CEO’s strategic and operational priorities, working in a fast-paced and exciting environment where strong team working is vital. You will gain invaluable experience working at the heart of the decision-making process to better understand and support operational delivery. You will work directly with the CEO and their executive team, delivering frequent engagement with ministers, Special Advisers, senior judiciary and senior officials across the Ministry of Justice, on a range of stimulating portfolios.

Your job will be to set the CEO up for success and maximise their impact by making their time, influence and decision-making more effective. This role is critical to support the CEO in the effective management of key projects and emerging issues, navigating uncertainty and risk, supporting crisis management and executing significant strategic and operational changes. You will need to ensure that the CEO is sufficiently briefed and well-informed about issues which affect the running of the whole of HMCTS to support decision making or action at the highest levels in the organisation.  

This is a demanding role which requires an ability to work at pace, navigate complicated dynamics and engage confidently with senior colleagues at the centre of Government and within the Judicial Office. You will be a go-between for the CEO and the rest of the organisation across critical areas of work and must be comfortable working with colleagues at all grades.

This is an exciting time to join the CEO’s Private Office and we are keen for someone who is willing to learn in this busy atmosphere. We are a friendly and collegiate team made up of a Chief of Staff, two Private Secretaries, a Deputy Private Secretary, a Business Manager and an Executive Assistant.

Key activities and responsibilities will include:

• Providing high quality strategic advice and support to the CEO across complex policy and operational issues
• Working closely with the organisation and others to drive forward the CEO’s priorities and supporting their operational, parliamentary and communications work.
• Dealing efficiently and effectively with emerging and often unexpected high-profile issues, including resolving complex or difficult issues
• Building effective working relationships to provide leadership and an effective channel of communication for the CEO with wider HMCTS, Ministry of Justice, Ministerial offices, the Judicial Office, and external stakeholders.
• Coordinating across a range of portfolio areas so that the CEO is kept informed of relevant developments and actions, and supporting appropriate scheduling and briefing to ensure their time is managed effectively, they are well prepared for daily activities, and their attention is focused on business-critical issues.
• Drafting priority papers, briefings and ministerial submissions.
• Using your relationships, judgement and understanding of the wider context to support the CEO in their work and to add value to the process and substance of decision making, ensuring financial and ethical probity.
• Line management of SEO Business Manager / Deputy Private Secretary.
• Please refer to the attached role profile for a comprehensive overview of the role.

Who are we looking for? (Person Specification)

The ideal candidate for this position should demonstrate:

Essential

• Proven track record of the ability to provide high quality advice and effective decision making through excellent judgement. You should know how to analyse information quickly identify and manage risks, make sound decisions and think strategically.
• Excellent communication and drafting skills, knowing how to communicate complex information in a straightforward and engaging manner to a range of audiences (seniors, Ministers, judiciary, the public), with clear and concise drafting and confident verbal briefing.
• Strong experience of building productive working relationships, bringing together peers and senior colleagues with differing views to identify risks, constructively challenge, and resolve issues efficiently.
• Excellent leadership with the ability to work collaboratively and inspire others to get things done, outside and inside of your line management chain.
• Impeccable organisational skills, capable of managing and prioritising multiple activities at pace personally and within the wider team.
• Ability to learn quickly, work autonomously and deliver effective outcomes in a dynamic fast-paced environment.
• Ability to act in a highly confidential manner and exercise discretion. 

Desirable

• Experience of working in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience or knowledge of the challenges and priorities within the justice system.

How To Apply

Application Stage

You will be assessed against the Civil service success profiles framework.

You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.

During the application process you will be asked to provide:  

• An anonymised CV to show any demonstrable experience, career history and achievements that are relevant to the role. Please ensure your CV is uploaded in a simple format to prevent any formatting issues when it's downloaded or reviewed.
• A statement of suitability demonstrating how you meet the person specification (up to 500 words)
• Examples of how you have met the following Civil Service Behaviours: Seeing the Big Picture; Communicating and Influencing; Delivering at Pace; Leadership (up to 250 words each). 

Please ensure you cover both ‘what’ you do but also ‘how’ you do it. (i.e., the effective skills, knowledge & experience needed to undertake the role)

Should we receive a large number of applications, we will sift primarily on CV, statement of suitability and the lead behaviour of Seeing the Big Picture. Successful applicants will then be invited to an interview, testing both behaviours and strengths. 

Interview Stage

If successful at sift, you will be invited to attend an in-person interview at 102 Petty France, London, SW1H 9AJ.

During your interview, you will be assessed against the following Civil Service Success Profiles which will include:

• A presentation against the behaviour ‘Seeing the Big Picture’. The presentation brief will be sent to you in advance of your interview.
• An experience question in relation to the person specification.
• Questions in relation to the following Civil Service behaviours: Communicating and Influencing; Delivering at Pace; Leadership
• Strengths will also be assessed however these are not shared in advance.

Further Details

Working Pattern

This is a full-time position only due to the nature of the role.

Location

Successful candidates will be based at 102 Petty France, London. There will be an expectation of office attendance with an option for some hybrid working such as when the CEO is working from home or on a visit.

Travel Requirements

There will be a requirement to travel occasionally to any HMCTS site in line with business needs.

Near Miss

This campaign will also operate a near miss option where, at interview stage, if candidates do not meet the requirements to be appointed to a G7 role but have passed the minimum requirements for a SEO role, they could be offered a role at SEO level.

About Our Benefits

We reward our people for their hard work and commitment. We have a number of family friendly and flexible working polices that will help you achieve a healthy work-life balance. In addition, we offer a range of employee benefits which include generous annual leave, a highly competitive contributory pension scheme, childcare benefits, season ticket and bicycle loans.

Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

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.

Benefits

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.

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 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.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 moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk);
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
• 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.

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.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

Contact Information

Moj:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 10838

Hmpps

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 10838

Job Description Attachment

• Role-profile G7 Private Secretary to the CEO.pdf (Job Description Attachment) Download | Preview | Open in a new tab Close preview

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Application Form Stage Assessments

Behaviours A sift based on the lead behaviour, Seeing the Big Picture, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered. Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit 250 Seeing the Big Picture Leadership Delivering at Pace Communicating and Influencing Statement of Suitability Guidance for the Statement of Suitability Please submit a statement of suitability demonstrating how you meet the person specification (up to 500 words). Please ensure you cover both ‘what’ you do but also ‘how’ you do it. (i.e., the effective skills, knowledge & experience needed to undertake the role) Evidence of Experience CV or Work History, Experience Questions, Statement of Suitability

Interview Stage Assessments

Interview Dates Interviews expected late November - subject to change Behaviours Seeing the Big Picture Leadership Delivering at Pace Communicating and Influencing Experience Your Experience for this role will be assessed at interview. To learn more about Experience and how they are assessed please click here. We will assess your experience for this role via the following methodsExperience Questions 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.

Other Assessments

Which assessment methods will be used? Presentation Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. Level of security checks required DBS Basic