Team Manager in Jarrow

The role will principally be to effectively lead a team to meet Key Performance Indicators, analyse performance statistics and develop team members to ensure an effectively engaged team on a daily basis. Planning of internal resources to ensure all business targets are met, including individual quality and productivity targets, collating and analysing data to inform decisions, escalating issues as they emerge and helping to find effective solutions. Analysis of financial and performance management data to identify key issues and ensure appropriate action is taken to address areas of concern. Setting and communicating a clear direction for the team in relation to the Agency's aims, objectives, purpose, and vision to ensure understanding and engagement in the vision. Supporting the internal transformation programme ensuring that teams are aware of proposed changes that affect them and feel supported throughout the process.

Responsibilities

• Ensure performance meetings are held in line with the MoJ process and conversations are meaningful for both individuals and the LAA, providing constructive and honest feedback on performance.
• Set SMART targets and objectives for direct reports and for self to enable effective performance management.
• Undertake succession planning for the team, conducting 1-2-1 meetings, touch point meetings, absence reviews, mentoring, coaching, setting objectives and developing training plans.
• Ensure internal processes are fit for purpose and make recommendations for improvement, with awareness of risks including Health and Safety and Information Awareness. Ensure risks are logged, relevant managers made aware and appropriate action taken.
• Take responsibility for the effective management of poor performance and absence issues at team and individual levels, in line with MoJ policies and procedures.
• Lead recruitment and selection of staff locally, ensuring campaigns align with MoJ Recruitment guidelines.
• Encourage, handle and respond to feedback from staff, customers, partners and suppliers to develop and improve services.
• Act on actions arising from the annual People Survey and engage the team in actions.
• Promote equality and diversity, foster inclusion, and encourage ideas and contributions from all team members and across case management teams.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders to foster productive working relationships and support team engagement, delivering team briefings and cascading messages.
• Lead team meetings, encourage sharing of views and ideas, and ensure colleagues and stakeholders understand objectives, activities and timeframes, taking into account diverse needs and promoting inclusion.
• Model commitment and job satisfaction, recognise achievements, and drive positivity; manage conflict, misconduct and non-inclusive behaviour appropriately, escalating as needed.
• Make effective decisions, understand personal responsibility, empower others to decide where appropriate, and use credible information to support decisions; involve others when needed and present timely recommendations with consideration of options, costs, benefits and risks.
• Communicate and influence through honest, straightforward communication; use appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact; highlight benefits of digital resources and cost-effectiveness; ensure messages have a clear purpose and are understood by all recipients.

Experience and Qualifications

• Experience of implementing, promoting, or understanding diversity and inclusion policy; ability to explain its importance to self, the team, and the organisation; provide examples of actions taken to embrace diversity or improve inclusion.
• Experience of leading a team in a fast-changing environment; ability to carry out a presentation exercise as part of assessment.
• Knowledge of Legal Aid systems and related processes; experience in an operational environment with SMART objective setting; experience observing behaviours and giving constructive feedback; effective written and verbal communication skills; problem-solving abilities to achieve positive outcomes; experience supporting Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace.
• IT literacy with good knowledge of Microsoft Office; knowledge of information assurance; health and safety awareness.

Assessment and Behaviours

Assessment through interview questions and a presentation exercise; leadership, decision-making, and communication and influencing skills will be evaluated.

Working Arrangements and Benefits

The MoJ offers hybrid working where business needs allow, with a minimum expectation of 60% office-based time, subject to local arrangements. Nationally advertised roles will be appointed to the nearest viable office to the home postcode; current MoJ employees may need to relocate within the National Office Network. Flexible working patterns may be considered where appropriate.

Disability Confident and Diversity & Inclusion commitments; guaranteed interview for candidates with a disability who meet essential criteria (subject to campaign guidelines); reasonable adjustments available in recruitment and workplace processes.

Benefits include annual leave (25 days rising to 30 with service, pro-rated for part-time), pension options, training opportunities, employee networks, and other Civil Service and MoJ policies as described in the recruitment materials.

The Civil Service Code applies; Redeployment Interview Scheme considerations; information about working patterns, pay scales, and terms may be provided during the offer stage.