General Information

Salary 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 Working Pattern Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working Vacancy Approach Cross Government Location National Region National Closing Date 27-Aug-2025 Post Type Permanent Civil Service Grade Grade 7 Number of jobs available 1 Reserve List 12 Months Job ID 8902

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Job title: Data Governance Lead

Directorate: Strategy, Analysis and Change

Workstream: Data, Analysis & Insight Team

About us

HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is responsible for 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.

HMCTS has a vision to modernise and upgrade our justice system so that it works even better for everyone, from judges and legal professionals, to witnesses, litigants, and the vulnerable victims of crime. This will help consolidate the UK’s position at the forefront of an increasingly competitive international legal market as well as ensuring access to justice for all. This is an exciting time to join the organisation and be part of work to make a real difference.

As part of this transformation, in 2021 HMCTS published its Data Strategy https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1039270/HMCTS626_Data_Strategy_v3.pdf, setting out its ambitions to become a truly data-driven organisation. The Strategy, Analysis and Change (SA&C) directorate supports this strategy by enabling senior leaders to make strategic, data driven business decisions.  

The Data, Analysis & Insight (DAI) team is based in Strategy, Analysis and Change (SA&C) directorate and plays a key role in delivering the Data Strategy and supporting HMCTS’s overall service provision. We provide HMCTS, the MoJ and the Judiciary with timely, accurate and accessible operational management information and analysis that underpins strategic and operational decisions. To support this, we have built a new cloud-based strategic data platform and have transitioned to using Power BI and R for the delivery of data and analysis.  

About the role

We are looking for an enthusiastic, resilient and resourceful individual to help HMCTS drive its Data Strategy forward and to lead our Data Governance Office. This strategy is one of the key enablers of the transformation of the courts and tribunals in England and Wales.

As Data Governance Lead, you will be at the centre of our ambition to lead the management, and optimisation of HMCTS’s data assets using governance principles to ensure that data serves as a valuable resource that HMCTS can use to deliver justice. The successful candidate will use their data governance expertise, and technological understanding to help HMCTS make better decisions about how it collects, stores, uses and shares its data to achieve its strategic objectives, while ensuring data integrity, security, and compliance.

The successful candidate will work closely with senior stakeholders in HMCTS and build relationships across HMCTS and the MOJ to gain a deep understanding of the use of data in government. You will direct and develop a team to drive improvements in the governance of HMCTS data, including developing your team to take on the responsibilities of a data governance office. You will lead a team of two SEOs and report directly to the Head of Data Strategy and Data Governance Delivery. The team will sit within the Data Analysis and Insight Division (DAI), which plays a key role in making HMCTS a data driven organisation.

This role will give you a fantastic opportunity to build experience in data governance, enabling you to think strategically about how to use and manage data in an organisation that provides an essential public service.

Your role as the Data Governance Lead will be accountable to the Head of Data Strategy and Data Governance Delivery and encompasses several key aspects (but not limited to):

Shaping the strategic agenda for data governance improvement at HMCTS by:

Defining, implementing, and managing data governance frameworks, policies and standards in HMCTS. Including the design and implementation of practical data governance solutions to support organisational needs and reduce data risks.

Providing authoritative advice and updates to the Data Governance Committee (DGC) on plans to improve key aspects of data governance at HMCTS, including drafting high-quality papers and recommendations on implementing relevant policy guidance.

Leading on the establishment and management of Data Ownership responsibilities within HMCTS and establishing wider data governance competencies within the organisation (such as governance of metadata and data standards).

Leading on the governance for Master and Reference Data (MRD) maintenance and improvement, including the development and upkeep of documentation related to MRD processes, ensuring it is current and accessible to relevant users.

Collaborate with the HMCTS Data Quality team to develop an enhanced data quality structure and framework, ensuring that data quality aspects are integrated into decision-making processes about data and take responsibility for incorporating them into data governance frameworks.

Championing best practice approaches to data governance across HMCTS boundaries, to develop and maintain a wide stakeholder network and awareness of emerging best practices and understanding of the changing landscape. Utilise external engagement to stay abreast of evolving best practices, ensuring HMCTS remains at the forefront of data governance excellence.

Provide expert advice and drive the effective use of appropriate governance routes and boards to optimise the safety and value of data throughout the data life cycle.

Providing leadership to the Data Governance team by:

Drive a culture of service excellence within the team by providing leadership coaching, career development opportunities, and ensuring the team’s continuous professional development to maintain business and technical expertise.

Working creatively with the Head of Data Strategy and Data Governance Delivery to improve the data governance framework and initiatives.

Driving and managing the implementation of processes to maintain and evolve data governance across the organisation over time.

Communicating the work of the Data Governance team to internal and external audiences to ensure the work is visible and understood.

Embed organisational values and behaviours within the team, ensuring wellbeing, inclusion, diversity and equality is at the forefront of all people activities. Ensuring staff understand how their performance contributes to the achievement of organisational objectives

Performing any other duties to support business needs in line with this grade and deputising for the Head of Data Strategy and Data Governance Delivery when required.

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

Data Governance. Demonstrable experience and knowledge of up-to-date data governance approaches, standard methodologies and practical considerations facing public sector organisations in the use of data. The ability to develop an end-to-end data governance framework, including processes, operational policies, and standards to support data management. Experience of working effectively with technical teams and other stakeholders to implement a data governance framework and providing recommendations to ensure compliance.

Data Management: Ability to follow organisational data governance, including policies on data access, sharing, dissemination and protection. Participate in or deliver data management across services or products and use appropriate data management tools, procedures, and methods with some support.

Data standards: Ability to use data policies, processes, and standards effectively, monitoring compliance with policies and standards in a team and act if needed to analyse the impact if a standard is breached.

Data Policy Development: Experience of working with subject matter experts to draft and develop standards, policies, and guidance to protect data.

Strong stakeholder management skills: Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with partners and stakeholders at senior levels, including the ability to work across boundaries to influence and gain confidence of senior project delivery leaders and sponsors to mutually agree solutions that manage competing priorities.

Excellent leadership skills: Experience of building and leading a team, including building capability data governance management functions. Ability to provide clear direction to staff, including staff outside your immediate reporting change, to ensure staff deliver complex outcomes on time and to specification.

Communication: Excellent oral and written communication skills, adaptable for different audiences. Capable of engaging confidently with senior officials to explain complex issues simply and clearly communicating processes to collaborators. Able to present complex issues concisely to the Head of Data Strategy and Data Governance Delivery, Data Strategy Delivery Groups, the Data Governance Committee and other senior leadership teams.

Delivering at Pace and in Ambiguity: Experience in making effective decisions quickly, delivering quality outcomes within tight deadlines, adapting to changing circumstances, managing competing priorities, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality products and advice. Experience of working with colleagues both internally and externally, to secure support and commitments to action from colleagues outside formal management hierarchy.

Desirable

Experience of using and governing data within the justice sector.

Understanding of administrative data systems within the Justice system and the role it plays in decision making.

Working pattern

Due to the nature of the role, the minimum working hours is 30 hours per week.

Travel requirements

There is a requirement to travel frequently to London or any other HMCTS site in line with business needs.

How to apply

Application Stage

Please submit;

An anonymised CV

Statement of suitability demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria (up to 750 words)

A behaviour example illustrating the Civil Service Behaviour - “Leadership” (up to 250 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)

We will aim to sift the CV, statement of suitability and Leadership behaviour but, in the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift may be conducted on the Leadership behaviour only. Candidates who pass the initial sift of the Leadership behavior will either:

⁠progress to a full sift where the Leadership behaviour and statement of suitability will then assessed.

⁠or progress to a full sift where all application assessment criteria is then assessed in full.

progress straight to further interview.

Interview Stage

If successful at sift, you will be invited to attend a remote interview, via Microsoft teams. During your interview, you will be assessed against the following Civil Service Success Profiles which will include:

Leadership

Seeing the Bigger Picture

Communicating and Influencing

Making Effective Decisions

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.

Proud to Serve. Proud to keep justice going.

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 8902

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 8902

Job Description Attachment

Role Profile - G7 Data Governance Lead.docx (Job Description Attachment) Download | Preview | Open in a new tab Close preview

Select new file

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours A sift based on the lead behaviour, Leadership, 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 Leadership Experience We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability Statement of Suitability Guidance for the Statement of Suitability Please submit a statement of suitability demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria (up to 750 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, Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates Earliest to interview 24th September onwards. Subject to change. Behaviours Leadership Seeing the Big Picture Communicating and Influencing Making Effective Decisions 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 Baseline Personnal Security Standard (BPSS)

Set your job search on autopilot

Fresh Jobs

Governance Lead

Technology Governance Lead

Cybersecurity Governance Lead

Cybersecurity Governance Lead

Data & Governance Lead

Project Governance Lead

Data Governance Lead

Data Governance Lead

IT Governance Lead

IT Governance Lead

Clinical Governance Lead

AI Governance Lead

Data Governance Lead

Data Governance Lead

Quality Governance Lead

Data Governance Lead

Data Governance Lead

Data Governance Lead

Design System Governance Lead

Business Process & Governance Lead

8902 - Data Governance Lead

Cyber Security Governance Lead

IT Process Governance Lead

AFN/AFS Governance Lead

AI Strategy & Governance Lead

Small Project Governance Lead

Global Vendor Governance Lead

Data Governance Lead Consultant

Senior Data Governance Lead - Director

Data & Records Governance Lead - VP

Data Quality and Governance Lead

Technology Architecture Governance Lead - VP

Digital Transformation and Governance Lead

I&CM Risk Governance Lead

E&C Risk Governance Lead

EMEA Operations and Governance Lead

IT Application Portfolio Governance Lead

Security & AI Governance Lead - Virtual!

Business Performance and Governance Lead

Product Owner & Data Governance Lead

AML Compliance Advisory & Governance Lead - C13

Manager-Global HR Data Governance Lead

Cyber Data and Vulnerability Governance Lead

Senior Director, Product Delivery & Governance Lead

Cyber Resiliency Strategy and Governance Lead

Material Master Data Governance Lead (Hybrid)

AI & Data Governance Lead - Vice President

Senior Director, Product Delivery & Governance Lead

AML Policy and Governance Lead, Vice President

IBO Client Asset (CASS) Adherence – Governance Lead