13781 - Head of Estates Transformation

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.

About the role

The Property Directorate is responsible for ensuring our estate supports operational delivery efficiently and sustainably. This role sits within the Strategy Team, which provides analytical insight and, working across the business, considers options to renew, enhance or consolidate services through estates transformation. The Head of Estates Transformation will help lead the modernisation of the HMCTS estate, delivering major investment and transformation projects that create a flexible, efficient and sustainable property portfolio. Working at the heart of the Property Directorate, the role will shape and oversee programmes that improve the quality and performance of court and tribunal buildings, ensuring they are fit for purpose and support the delivery of justice. You will provide strategic leadership, drive delivery through collaboration with senior stakeholders, and champion innovation and value for money across the estate.

Your role as the Head of Estates Transformation encompasses several key aspects (but not limited to):

• Lead the transformation and modernisation of the HMCTS estate, ensuring major investments deliver flexible, sustainable and fit‑for‑purpose buildings.
• Oversee the delivery of major capital and refurbishment programmes, aligning estates investment with operational priorities and MoJ/HMCTS objectives.
• Shape and drive the estates transformation pipeline, identifying opportunities to rationalise, repurpose and modernise the estate.
• Provide strategic and financial leadership for estates business cases, investment bids and programme governance.
• Use robust data and analysis to inform investment decisions and track the impact of transformation on estate performance.
• Build strong relationships with senior operational, judicial and departmental stakeholders to ensure alignment and effective delivery.
• Represent HMCTS with authority on estates transformation and investment matters across government and external partners.
• Lead, coach and develop a high‑performing, geographically dispersed team, modelling Civil Service values and promoting a culture of delivery and inclusion.

Who are we looking for? (Person Specification)

Essential

• Proven experience leading or delivering estates, capital investment or transformation projects across a property portfolio.
• Strong understanding of asset management, investment planning and property performance, including sustainability and compliance considerations.
• Demonstrable experience in programme and project delivery, including developing business cases and options appraisals.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to engage confidently at senior levels.
• Skilled at analysing data and evidence to inform investment decisions and track performance.
• Experienced people leader, able to motivate and develop a geographically dispersed team.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem‑solving ability, with a focus on delivery and continuous improvement.

Desirable

• Understanding of government business case and investment approval processes (e.g. Green Book, HMT approvals).
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and develop clear, evidence‑based insights to inform decisions.

How to apply

Application Stage

Please submit:

• An anonymised CV. Please ensure your CV is uploaded in a simple format to prevent any formatting issues when it’s downloaded or reviewed.
• Statement of suitability demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria (up to 750 words).
• Behaviour example illustrating the Civil Service Behaviour “Making Effective Decisions” (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 the Leadership behaviour but, in the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift may be conducted on the Making Effective Decisions behaviour only. Candidates who pass the initial sift of the Making Effective Decisions behaviour will either: progress to a full sift where all application assessment criteria is then assessed or progress straight to further interview.