At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations for Civil Family and Tribunals, ensuring effective service delivery across multiple locations.
- Company: Join HM Courts & Tribunals Service, a vital part of the Ministry of Justice.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and extensive training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the justice system while leading a diverse team.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership skills and experience in operational management required.
- Other info: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for career growth.
The predicted salary is between 71381 - 80419 £ per year.
This vacancy is only available to existing Civil Servant employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). Please review the "Eligibility" section before you apply.
General Information
- Salary: the national salary range is £71,381 - £80,419, London salary range is £75,674 - £85,257. Your salary will be dependent on your base location.
- Working Pattern: Full Time, Flexible Working
- Location: Aldershot, Amersham, Ashford (Kent), Aylesbury, Barnstaple, Basildon, Basingstoke, Bath, Bedford, Bodmin, Bournemouth, Brighton and Hove, Bristol, Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Canterbury, Chatham, Chelmsford, Cheltenham, Chichester, Colchester, Crawley, Dartford, Exeter, Folkestone, Gloucester, Great Yarmouth, Guildford, Hastings, Hatfield, Havant, Hertford, High Wycombe, Horsham, Huntingdon, Ipswich, King's Lynn, Lewes, Luton, Maidstone, Margate, Milton Keynes, Newport (Isle of Wight), Newton Abbot, Norwich, Oxford, Peterborough, Plymouth, Poole, Portsmouth, Reading, Salisbury, Sevenoaks, Slough, Southampton, Southend-on-Sea, St Albans, Staines, Stevenage, Swindon, Taunton, Torquay, Truro, Watford, Weston-super-Mare, Weymouth, Winchester, Worthing, Yeovil.
- Region: South East, South West
- Closing Date: 18-Feb-2026
- Post Type: Permanent
- Civil Service Grade: Grade 6
- Number of jobs: 2
- Reserve List: 12 Months
- Job ID: 14471
About Us
HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is an agency of the Ministry of Justice. We provide support for the legal system across England and Wales, ensuring justice works for everyone. Our Justice system defends our fundamental rights and freedoms. It is a cornerstone of our modern society. It protects some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, from families in crisis to claimants and commercial businesses. We have a responsibility to deliver a Justice system that is accessible to everyone and operates efficiently.
Your Role
The Head of Operations will undertake the strategic leadership and performance of the CFT jurisdiction across multiple locations, ensuring a highly effective and consistent service delivery. The role has considerable influence and responsibility across this service as well as significant people leadership responsibility. The postholder will have direct line management of the Deputy Head of Operations and indirect leadership of several hundred staff across the region. As the jurisdictional lead for CFT, the Head of Operations will work with colleagues, leadership judges and senior stakeholders to focus on developing the end-to-end service to maintain and improve performance.
Your Skills And Experience
- Excellent leadership and relationship management skills with proven ability of delivering through others and leading large operational teams.
- Experience of operational/service management and supporting stakeholders/partners.
- The ability to anticipate and identify strategic organisational issues and analyse and interpret statistical information to assess performance.
- Excellent communication and customer service skills, understanding the needs of our end users reflecting the diverse needs of our customer base from professional justice partners to vulnerable victims and witnesses.
- Strong influencing, collaborating and negotiating skills to deliver excellent levels of service within the jurisdiction.
- A demonstrable track record of strategic planning and delivering significant change.
Selection Process
Due to the anticipated high volume of applications, we will be applying a lead criterion at application / sift stage. This will be based on the Statement of Suitability. If progressed from sift stage, please note that in person interviews will be required. The likely venue for these will be central London.
Working Arrangements & Further Information
The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements by business need. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and/or from home. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.
Benefits
- Annual Leave: 25 days on appointment and 30 days after five years of service.
- Pension: The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes.
- Training: The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
- Networks: Employee networks exist to provide advice and support and to enable minority voices to be heard by senior management.
Eligibility
Staff on fixed-term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition. Vacancies advertised cross-government are open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited NDPBs who were appointed on merit following fair and open competition, or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in Civil Service Commissioners' rules.
Contact Information
For assistance, please call 0345 241 5359 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm). Please quote the job reference: 14471.
Head of Operations - CFT in Aldershot employer: HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS)
Contact Detail:
HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Operations - CFT in Aldershot
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees in the Civil Service, especially those in similar roles. They can provide insider info and might even give you a heads-up about unadvertised opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the HM Courts & Tribunals Service. Understand their values and recent initiatives. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Think of specific examples where you've led teams or managed complex projects. The interviewers will want to hear how you handle challenges and drive results.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re tech-savvy and know how to navigate the system.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Operations - CFT in Aldershot
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Thoroughly: Before you start writing, make sure to read the job description carefully. It’s packed with info about what we’re looking for, so tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experience match our needs.
Craft a Strong Statement of Suitability: Your Statement of Suitability is key! Use it to showcase your leadership skills and operational experience. Remember, we want to see how you can deliver results and lead teams effectively, so be specific and give examples.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that are easy to read. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant, and make sure every word counts!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the necessary forms and guidelines there to help you out.
How to prepare for a job interview at HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS)
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the role of Head of Operations in the Civil Family and Tribunals. Familiarise yourself with HMCTS's mission and values, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a candidate for a leadership position, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to manage large teams effectively. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, focusing on your relationship management skills and how you've delivered results through others.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and strategic thinking. Think of complex situations you've faced in previous roles and how you resolved them, especially those involving stakeholder engagement and service delivery.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, you'll likely have the chance to ask questions. Use this opportunity to show your interest in the role and the organisation. Ask about the challenges the CFT jurisdiction is currently facing or how they measure success in service delivery.