At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of a secure, user-focused online recruitment platform for the justice system.
- Company: Join the Judicial Appointments Commission, a key player in the UK's justice system.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on digital services that shape the future of justice.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in software development and expertise in web technologies.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to equal opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.
The Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) plays a pivotal role in the justice system, identifying candidates for judicial office up to and including the High Court of England and Wales. The JAC has developed and continually improves an online recruitment platform to handle the thousands of applications received each year. We are seeking an experienced Technical Lead (Lead Developer) to take ownership of the technical direction of this digital platform. This role is critical in ensuring the delivery of secure, scalable, and user‑focused services, while reducing reliance on external contractors and aligning with Government Digital Strategy.
Responsibilities
- Provide technical leadership and set coding standards for the development team.
- Own and design the architecture of complex systems, ensuring maintainability and best practices.
- Lead technical decision‑making, balancing innovation with stability, security and performance.
- Collaborate with Product Owners, Business Analysts and stakeholders to translate business needs into technical solutions.
- Manage, mentor and coach developers, fostering continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.
- Oversee code reviews, testing strategies and deployment processes, including CI/CD and DevOps practices.
- Ensure compliance with accessibility, security, and performance standards, and champion secure‑by‑design principles.
- Maintain a comprehensive library of support documentation (architectural diagrams, system overviews, security and compliance guides, coding standards, etc.).
- Act as the primary point of contact for technical queries and escalations.
- Lead technical governance, reporting to the Digital Board and contributing to roadmap planning.
Qualifications
- Proven experience leading development teams and delivering complex digital services.
- Strong technical expertise in web development frameworks and cloud‑based architectures.
- Excellent knowledge of Firebase/Firestore and client‑side JavaScript, including Vue.js or React.
- Proficiency with server‑side JavaScript (Node.js) and TypeScript.
- Experience with serverless architecture, particularly Google Cloud, and single‑page applications.
- Familiarity with Government Digital Service (GDS) standards.
- Solid testing knowledge: unit, integration, E2E, BDD and TDD practices.
- Deep understanding of software engineering principles, deployment and continuous integration.
- Strong communication skills, capable of engaging both technical and non‑technical teams.
- Knowledge of accessibility, security and performance standards in public‑sector digital services.
- Desirable: background in public‑sector or regulated environments; experience mentoring and developing team capability.
About the JAC
The Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) is an independent public body, established in 2006, that selects judicial officers and non‑legal tribunal members for courts and tribunals throughout England and Wales. The JAC’s statutory duty is to select solely on merit, maintaining an open and fair competition and welcoming candidates from a wide range of backgrounds.
Equal Opportunities
The JAC is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. Those with protected characteristics will not be discriminated against in any aspect of employment.
Technical Lead (Lead Software Engineer) in City of Westminster employer: Ministry of Justice
Contact Detail:
Ministry of Justice Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Lead (Lead Software Engineer) in City of Westminster
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech industry, especially those who might have insights into the JAC or similar organisations. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical skills and understanding the JAC's mission. We recommend practising common coding challenges and being ready to discuss how you can contribute to their digital platform.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership experience! When you get the chance to speak with interviewers, highlight your past roles in mentoring and guiding teams. They’ll want to see how you can lead their development team effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the JAC and contributing to their important work.
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Lead (Lead Software Engineer) in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Technical Lead role. Highlight your experience with web development frameworks and cloud-based architectures, as well as any leadership roles you've had in the past. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t hold back on showcasing your technical expertise! Mention your proficiency in Firebase/Firestore, client-side JavaScript, and server-side technologies like Node.js and TypeScript. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their knowledge of secure and scalable digital services.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical teams!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ministry of Justice
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, like Firebase/Firestore, Node.js, and cloud architectures. Brush up on your knowledge of web development frameworks and be ready to discuss how you've used them in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Technical Lead, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to manage and mentor a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led development teams, set coding standards, and fostered a culture of continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss your approach to technical decision-making.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and technical governance. Think about scenarios where you had to balance innovation with stability or security. Practise articulating your thought process and the outcomes of your decisions.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Collaboration is key in this role, so be prepared to discuss how you've worked with Product Owners and Business Analysts in the past. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve translated business needs into technical solutions, ensuring everyone is on the same page.