Governance and Policy Manager

About the Role and Organisation

This role is based at multiple sites including 5 Wellington Place, Leeds LS1 4AP; CTS Royal Courts of Justice, London WC2A 2LL; and Loughborough Magistrates Court, LE11 1AZ. The position reports directly to one of three Judicial Directors of Training (DoTs) within the Judicial College’s Strategy, Governance and Change team. The Judicial College provides education and training to over 24,000 judicial office holders across England and Wales, aiming to be a world leader in judicial education. The Judicial Office, which supports the judiciary including the Senior President of Tribunals, operates as an Arm’s Length Body sponsored by the Ministry of Justice. The work environment is complex and involves coordinating priorities agreed with senior judiciary and funded by the Ministry.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Director of Training managing a broad portfolio focused on Crime and Magistrates.
• Provide advice and briefing to the DoT regarding emerging issues and preparation for internal and external engagements.
• Maintain awareness of the Judicial College’s activities and contribute to advancing its strategic goals.
• Lead or contribute to policy development and specific projects in alignment with the College’s objectives.
• Prepare detailed reports, briefings, committee papers and manage sensitive enquiries professionally.
• Provide secretariat support to the Wales Training Committee.
• Balance multiple priorities efficiently while preserving accuracy, confidentiality, and sound judgment.

Essential Qualifications and Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication capabilities.
• Excellent organisational skills with an aptitude for prioritising competing tasks.
• Ability to form and sustain effective relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders at various levels.
• Discretion and sound judgment when handling confidential or high-profile information.
• Effective teamwork and adaptable working approach.
• High attention to detail.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• Experience supporting governance, committees, or formal meetings, including preparing agendas, minutes, and action logs.

Behaviours and Assessment Criteria

• Changing and Improving (lead role).
• Managing a Quality Service.
• Working Together.
• Delivering at Pace.

Application requires a statement of suitability (up to 500 words) and two behaviour examples focused on changing and improving and managing quality service (250 words each). Interviews will involve behaviour-based and strength-based questions conducted remotely.

Security Clearance

Depending on the role location, appropriate security clearance such as DBS, Counter-Terrorist Check (CTC), Security Check (SC), or Developed Vetting (DV) will be required. Applicants must meet the residence requirements to obtain National Security Clearance.

Additional Information

• The post offers flexible working options including job shares where it meets business needs.
• Hybrid working is encouraged with the expectation of spending a minimum of 60% of time at the base location, subject to requirements.
• The Ministry of Justice salary is £35,335 plus a pension contribution of £10,236 towards a defined benefit pension scheme.
• Other benefits include access to learning and development, support for flexible working to promote work-life balance, a culture encouraging inclusion and diversity, annual leave, public holidays, and season ticket advance.
• Applicants must comply with the Civil Service Code and recruitment principles and support diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• The role is open to UK nationals, qualifying Commonwealth nationals, European Economic Area nationals with settled or pre-settled status, and others as specified.
• Use of artificial intelligence tools to support application content is permitted only if all content is truthful, factual, and derived from the candidate's own experience.