Ministry of Justice UK

19483 - People Operations Manager

Ministry of Justice UK  •  £43k - £53k/yr  •  Hybrid  •  5 hours ago
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Job Description

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 £42,914 - £46,182, London salary range is £49,325 - £53,081. Your salary will be dependent on your base location

Working Pattern

Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working

Vacancy Approach

Cross Government

Location

National

Region

National

Closing Date

16-Jul-2026

Post Type

Permanent

Civil Service Grade

SEO

Number of jobs available

1

Reserve List

12 Months

Job ID

19483


Descriptions & requirements


Job description

People Operations Manager

Location: National*

Closing Date: 16 July 2026

Interviews: From 04 August 2026

Grade: SEO

(MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain this grade on lateral transfer)

Salary**: London: £49,325 - £53,081; National: £42,914 - £46,182

Working pattern Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working, Job share

Contract Type: Permanent

Number of vacancies: 1

*We offer a hybrid working model, allowing for a balance between remote work and time spent in your local office. Office locations can be found ON THIS MAP

Please note that unless you are an existing member of staff at Justice Digital, Data and Science, the only London location being recruited to is 10 South Colonnade, E14 4PU. We are no longer recruiting to 102 Petty France, SW1H 9AJ.

The Role

We’re recruiting for a People Operations Manager here at Justice Digital, Data and Science to be part of our warm and collaborative People Operations team.

The People Operations and Workforce Data Service team consists of two sub-teams: a newly-formed People Operations Team, where this role sits, and the Workforce Data Service (WFDS).

The People Operations team is dedicated to driving key business objectives, with current focus areas that will evolve and grow in alignment with our changing goals.

The team consists of a People Operations Lead, an Implementation Manager and a People Operations Associate. In this role, you will report directly to the People Operations Lead, supporting the planning and execution of the team’s vision, goals, and roadmap.

As the team progresses, you will take on people management responsibilities, including overseeing the performance and development of the People Operations Associate. You will mentor and guide them to achieve their objectives, while ensuring high-quality work.

We’re looking for a collaborative, flexible, and proactive team player. In return, you’ll join a supportive and dynamic team that values your expertise and ideas and will encourage your continuous growth and improvement.

You’ll receive a range of excellent benefits when you join our department, including:

  • 25 days of annual leave, (increasing to 30 days once you have reached 5 years of service), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King’s birthday
  • Flexible working arrangements including hybrid working, working part time or compressed hours. Designed to support a positive work–life balance.
  • Employees are allocated 10% of their working time for personal and professional development.
  • A £1k per person learning budget is in place to support all our people, with access to best-in-class conferences and seminars, accreditation with professional bodies, fully funded vocational programmes and e-learning platforms.
  • Compassionate maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave policies, with up to 26 weeks leave at full pay, 13 weeks with partial pay, and 13 weeks further leave. And maternity support/paternity leave at full pay for 2 weeks, too!

You can find more details of the Benefits we offer hereTo help picture your life at MoJ Justice Digital, Data and Science please take a look at our blog.

Key Responsibilities:

People and performance

  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of the organisation’s performance management framework, including annual and interim review processes, to enhance performance and support talent development.

Change & Transformation:

  • Assist with the planning and implementation of organisational and transformation projects, driving initiatives that create and embed new processes where needed, or revise existing ones.
  • Develop robust stakeholder engagement and communication plans to ensure smooth transitions and alignment across the business.
  • Collaborate with senior leadership to define transformation goals and desired outcomes.
  • Partner closely with leadership and teams to ensure HR strategies are aligned with and actively support the broader transformation objectives.

Organisational Design & Development

  • Provide support across all business areas to assist with the organisation design and development (OD&D) of structure, teams and people.
  • Meet organisational objectives and provide continuous improvement of D&T’s organisational design and capability.
  • Advise on and support organisational design activities, evaluating situations to decide on the appropriate organisational approach

Location Strategy

  • Ensure the location strategy aligns with the broader business goals, such as innovation and talent
  • Evaluate the suitability of different locations for various business needs (e.g., talent availability, cost of office space, etc.).
  • Collaborate with senior leadership and other key stakeholders to align location strategy with overall business goals.
  • Communicate findings, recommendations, and plans clearly to internal teams, leadership, and external partners
  • Collaborate with estates teams to identify optimal office, facility, or operational space in the selected locations.
  • Support evaluating and understanding of the company culture, helping to identify whether employees feel supported, valued, and engaged.
  • Offer actionable recommendations based on this feedback to improve company policies, work environments, and processes—ultimately creating a better workplace for both current and future employees.
  • These responsibilities cover a wide range of activities involved in crafting and implementing different projects. The role requires a mix of strategic and operational expertise, as well as strong communication and collaboration skills.

If this feels like an exciting challenge, something you are enthusiastic about, and want to join our team please read on and apply!

Person Specification

Essential

  • Demonstrable understanding of organisational change, operating models, and the role of the people and capability function in supporting them
  • Operational planning for a large and varied, UK wide, digital and technology team
  • Changing & Improving
  • Communicating & Influencing
  • Delivery at Pace
  • Leadership
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Working Together

Willingness to be assessed against the requirements for BPSS clearance

We welcome the unique contribution diverse applicants bring and do not discriminate based on culture, ethnicity, race, nationality or national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, religion or belief, disability status, sexual orientation, educational or social background or any other factor.

Our values are Purpose, Humanity Openness and Together. Find out more here about how we celebrate diversity and an inclusive culture in our workplace.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy

Salary Information**

Base salary for this role is: London: £49,325 - £53,081; National: £42,914 - £46,182

  • New entrants to the Civil Service joining the MoJ are expected to start at the minimum of the pay band.
  • Existing Civil Servants moving on a level transfer will retain their current base salary or move to the minimum of the pay band for the role, whichever is higher.
  • Existing Civil Servants who are promoted will either move to the bottom of the new grade’s pay band or receive a 10% uplift, whichever provides the greater increase.

How to Apply

In Justice Digital, Data and Science, we recruit using a combination of the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability and Success Profiles Frameworks. We shall assess a combination of your Experience and Behaviours during the assessment process.

Stage 1 - Application and sift:

To apply for this position, you must submit the following as part of your application:

  • A CV detailing your career history (including any relevant qualifications). Your CV will be assessed against the essential criteria outlined within the Person Specification of this advert.
  • Answers to three statements (no more than 750 words) which should outline your experience and skills , giving clear examples of work undertaken. It should specifically address the criteria listed below, using a separate paragraph for each:
  • Demonstrable understanding of organisational change, operating models, and the role of the people and capability function in supporting them
  • Operational planning for a large and varied, UK wide, digital and technology team
  • Delivering at Pace

A diverse sift panel will review the information in your CV and Statements to assess the sift criteria specified above. We operate an anonymous shortlisting process. Please ensure your CV and Statements do not include your name or any other identifying details.

Please access the following link for guidance on how to apply - Application Guidance

Stage 2 - Interviews:

Successful candidates who meet the required standard will then be invited to a panel interview held via Microsoft Teams. At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements - Experience and the following Behaviours:

  • Changing & Improving
  • Communicating & Influencing
  • Delivery at Pace
  • Leadership
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Working Together

Appointments are made strictly in merit order. In the event that two or more candidates receive identical interview scores, the following criteria will be applied as the primary lead criterion to determine the final merit order:

  • Demonstrable understanding of organisational change, operating models, and the role of the people and capability function in supporting them

Should you be unsuccessful in the role that you have applied for but demonstrate the capability for a role at a lower level, we reserve the right to discuss this opportunity with you and offer you the position without needing a further application.

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months, from which further appointments may be made.

Use of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Terms & Conditions

Please review our Terms and Conditions which set out how we recruit and provide further information related to the role and salary arrangements.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact digitalanddatarecruitment@justice.gov.uk


Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles: All successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity).

For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.

All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Eligibility

Staff on fixed term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition.

Vacancies advertised “cross-government” are only open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners' rules.

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Planand the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles

Contact Information

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 19483

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference


Job Description Attachment


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Application form stage assessments

Behaviours

Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit

500

Delivering at Pace
Experience

We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods

CV or Work History, Experience Questions

Experience Questions Application Form Question Word Limit

750

Evidence of Experience

CV or Work History, Experience Questions


Interview stage assessments


Interview Dates

Expected From 04 August 2026
Behaviours

Delivering at Pace

Changing and Improving

Communicating and Influencing

Leadership

Making Effective Decisions

Managing a Quality Service

Working Together
Experience
Your Experience for this role will be assessed at interview. To learn more about Experience and how they are assessed please click here
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
Experience Questions
Level of security checks required

Baseline Personnal Security Standard (BPSS)

Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Ministry of Justice UK

About Ministry of Justice UK

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Industry
Government & Public Safety
Company Size
10,000+ employees
Headquarters
London, GB
Year Founded
2007
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