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The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) is inviting applications for the post of, Director of Judicial Office for Scotland, a crucial position in the overall management of the SCTS with responsibility for the strategic development of civil justice.

This role presents a great opportunity to work with the senior judiciary at the heart of Scotland’s justice system during one of the most exciting periods of rapid change it has ever experienced. The job will provide exposure to policy and strategy, service delivery, change development and corporate governance – directly supporting the SCTS board, Chaired by the Lord President (Scotland’s most senior judge) in its leadership of SCTS as a non-ministerial department

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, this role sits right at the centre of SCTS – an organisation with over 1,900 staff based in some 60 locations across the length and breadth of the country.

The Director is also a member of the SCTS Executive Team.

The successful candidate will be required to take up the post as soon as possible. Relocation expenses may be available.

Working pattern

This is a full-time role, but applicants on any working patterns are welcome to apply. If you are interested in applying on a job-share basis, please make clear in your application if you wish to be considered as a pre-existing job-share partnership, or if you are interested in moving into a job-share arrangement.

We will assess proposed working patterns against the business requirements for the post and discuss all options with candidates.

The Director of Judicial Office for Scotland, provides advice and guidance to the Lord President on issues such as conduct, welfare and judicial recruitment. They also provide leadership to the various branches of the Judicial Office.

In this post you will:

Provide the Lord President and Lord Justice Clerk with high quality administrative advice and support in their management of the judiciary and in their interactions with the Scottish Parliament, Scottish Government, and other justice agencies.

Provide direction and leadership at a strategic level to all Judicial Office teams namely:

• The Lord President’s Private Office
• Strategy and Governance
• The Judicial Institute
• Library services
• Judicial communications
• The Scottish Civil Justice Council
• The Scottish Sentencing Council
• The Office of the Auditor of Court.

Act as the strategic lead for civil justice reform within SCTS to support the judiciary in the delivery of world class civil justice ensuring that improvements in the longer term are identified, developed, and fully exploited.

Participate fully in the work of the SCTS Executive Team, which makes key decisions on behalf of the organisation – with a specific lead in civil justice reform including digitisation of processes and supporting virtual hearings.

In addition, you will:

Directly line manage three Grade 6/C2/3 equivalent Heads of Unit:

• The Legal Secretary to the Lord President,
• The Director of Strategy for the Scottish Civil Justice Council and,
• The Secretary to the Scottish Sentencing Council.

Also manage, two Grade 7/C1 equivalent Heads of Unit:

• The Head of Strategy and Governance and,
• The Head of Education at the Judicial Institute for Scotland.

For more information on the role and the application process, please consult the Candidate Information Pack linked at the bottom of this page.

Essential Criteria:

Whilst this post sits within the Judicial Office, and a law qualification may provide the postholder with additional knowledge, it is not an essential requirement for this role.

All applications will be assessed solely against the Essential Criteria listed below and you should structure your Supporting Statement accordingly:

Specialist Criteria:

Operating in the Justice System

• As this is a key senior role in Scotland’s justice system, you should be able to demonstrate:
• a good knowledge of, or strong interest in, the legal or justice system;
• a combination of experience working in a policy environment and a delivery body environment where work is overseen by an Executive Board or other governing structure.

Leadership Criteria:

Leading collectively

• Taking an effective whole system approach to complex, dynamic issues; actively developing wide networks internally and externally, breaking down and collaborating across barriers to deliver outcomes.
• Being a visible corporate leader, influencing and supporting corporate activities and goals as a member of a senior team.

Developing others

• Embedding an inclusive, learning culture in your teams, trusting, and empowering others and enabling high performance and innovation.
• Ability to actively manage wellbeing and create an environment where diversity of thinking and perspective is both valued and nurtured.

Leading others

• Setting clear strategic direction and making high quality decisions which balance risk and stakeholder interests to deliver outcomes.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build visibility and awareness with partners and stakeholders.

Understanding and developing self

• You will demonstrate a strong understanding of yourself as a leader as well as a passion for your work and your own continuous personal development. This includes acting as a role model for inclusive leadership by clearly articulating, with courage and humility, how your personal life experiences and background impact on your thinking and behaviour.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• 30 days annual leave on entry plus 11.5 days Public & Privilege holiday.
• Generous paid maternity and paternity leave which is notably more than the statutory minimum offered by many other employers

Job contact :

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Recruitment team :

Email :
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