Engagement and Strategy Manager

We're recruiting for Engagement and Strategy Managers here at Justice Digital, Data and Science to be part of our warm and collaborative Connecting Criminal Justice Data programme team, within the CJS & Victims Data Division As an Engagement and Strategy Manager you will lead on engagement initiatives and storytelling across the CJS and help shape our ways of working/culture. You will be proactive and adaptable, working with the Strategy and Engagement Lead to help promote and socialise the new Connecting Criminal Justice Data programme. This role would suit someone who can operate in a fast-paced environment, enjoys variety, and can build high-quality relationships with stakeholders across a wide stakeholder landscape. The Connecting Criminal Justice Data programme is looking to tackle cross-cutting CJS data and technology challenges through delivery of projects such as; Justice ID, a single identity that allows us to reliably recognise and link the same individual so that the right information follows them through the system; and a flagship linked dataset that brings together data from police, CPS and courts to improve how we understand journeys through the justice system. This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing multidisciplinary team working across professions, departments, agencies and the wider Criminal Justice System to deliver transformational change at a national scale. Your work will span organisational boundaries and some of the most complex challenges facing public services today, helping to create a more connected, effective and user-centred Criminal Justice System that improves outcomes for victims, frontline staff and the wider public. The programme is a rare opportunity to work on genuinely cross-system transformation, bringing together colleagues from across government to solve complex problems and improve outcomes across the Criminal Justice System. In order to deliver this new and exciting programme we need two excellent Engagement and Strategy Managers to help set the programme up for success. The Connecting Criminal Justice Data programme sits within the CJS & Victims Data Division. We are committed to creating an environment where all our people feel valued for who they are and the work they contribute. Working in the CJS & Victims Data Division offers the opportunity to be at the forefront of data transformation in government, while being part of an inclusive workplace that provides flexible working arrangements and competitive benefits as part of our people offer.,

• Support high-profile engagement workstreams that introduce and socialise the Connecting Criminal Justice Data programme both internally and externally
• Build and maintain strong and productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders from operational to senior, to strengthen collaboration, influence decisions and support delivery
• Design and deliver targeted engagement that builds understanding of the programme and brings teams, agencies and stakeholders together
• Help shape and deliver a clear, compelling narrative for the programme, ensuring consistent and confident messaging across the teams and key stakeholders
• Lead and own the creation of a stakeholder register and update regularly
• Design and embed effective ways of working across MoJ and Home Office, ensuring the development of a cohesive and high-performing joint programme culture
• Support the programme's resourcing approach, coordinating recruitment across CCJD projects to ensure a consistent, efficient, and compelling offers to candidates
• Support forward planning, working closely with the Grade 6 to prepare for Spending Review 2027 (SR27) and future programme priorities
• Lead and own the creation of our shared knowledge management and documentation site
If this feels like an exciting challenge, something you are enthusiastic about, and want to join our team please read on and apply!,
• 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.
• A Personal Statement (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.
• Describe a time where you inspired others and brought diverse stakeholders together behind a shared vision
A diverse sift panel will review the information in your CV and Personal Statement to assess the sift criteria specified above. We operate an anonymous shortlisting process. Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement do not include your name or any other identifying details. Should we receive a high volume of applications, a pre-sift based on Proven experience in engagement, communications or stakeholder management, ideally in a complex organisation will be conducted before the sift. 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:
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership
As part of your interview, you will be asked to deliver a short presentation that assesses the Communicating and influencing behaviour. Further details will be provided if successful at sift. Appointments are made strictly in merit order. In the event that two or more candidates receive identical interview scores, the Communicating and Influencing behaviour will be applied as the primary lead criterion to determine the final merit order. 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., 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 Plan and 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., We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability Statement of Suitability Guidance for the Statement of Suitability A Personal Statement (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. - Describe a time where you inspired others and brought diverse stakeholders together behind a shared vision Evidence of Experience CV or Work History, Statement of SuitabilityInterview stage assessments Interview Dates Expected week Commencing 5th October 2026 Behaviours Communicating and Influencing Working Together Seeing the Big Picture LeadershipOther Assessments Which assessment methods will be used? Presentation Level of security checks required Baseline Personnal Security Standard (BPSS)

Essential
• Proven experience in engagement, communications or stakeholder management, ideally in a complex organisation
• The ability to tailor messages and engagement approaches to different audiences and deliver with confidence
• The ability to translate complex and technical concepts into clear, accessible and engaging narratives for a range of audiences
• A proactive and self-motivated approach to take ownership of ideas and drive them through to successful delivery
Willingness to be assessed against the requirements for BPSS clearance

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, You'll receive a range of excellent benefits when you join our department, including:
• A generous employer pension contribution of 28.97% through the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
• 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!, Base salary for this role is from £42,914 - £46,182 (National) or £49,325 - £53,081 (London)
• 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., 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.