Head of Project Assurance and Governance

Role:
Head of Project Assurance and Governance

Grade: SCS Pay Band 1

Location:
National

Salary: The salary for this role is set within the MoJ SCS PB1 range (£86,000 - £99,000).

Existing Civil Servants will be appointed in line with Civil Service pay arrangements.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is a leading Project Delivery Department in Government. We build new prisons, transform the justice system and upgrade IT technologies.

As Head of Project Assurance and Governance, you will lead on delivering and strengthening assurance, project governance and corporate oversight across the Project Delivery Function.

Your key challenge will be to ensure robust delivery confidence, effective application of Project Delivery Functional Standards and strategic insight in an increasingly complex and high‑profile delivery environment. You will be a passionate and credible Project Delivery leader, able to influence at senior levels, build strong relationships across complex stakeholder groups and lead high‑performing teams.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of the MoJ, directly contributing to the successful delivery of one of the largest and broadest portfolios across Government. We welcome applications from high‑calibre individuals who can build and lead a high performing and inclusive team, and work with a wide range of stakeholders to deliver and add value.

Reporting into the Chief Project Delivery Officer you will:

• Be accountable for second‑line assurance services and ensure co‑ordination of effective second‑line representation on MoJ's project, programme and portfolio boards, MoJ's project governance and Departmental sub‑committees.
• Lead the delivery of Keyholder, Gateway and Functional Maturity Reviews across the MoJ to assess strength of controls in line with the Functional Standards, including an annual capability assessment, and provide expertise to NISTA on project assurance and continuous improvement.
• Lead the PDF’s input and function’s perspective at Departmental sub‑Committees.
• Provide an overview of the Departmental governance forward look and manage the flow of information between project boards, oversight committees and assurance forums, providing an independent functional view of project performance.
• Accountable for PDF's Business and Corporate services and provide oversight of MoJ Corporate Assurance activities, including tracking delivery of the PDF Business Plan and Transformation Plan, and the development of the Function Strategy, ensuring alignment with departmental and wider cross‑government initiatives.
• Engage with SROs across the department and with other senior stakeholders to ensure robust third‑line assurance and provide advice and support to SROs and Governance Groups about the appropriate application of the Department’s governance and control framework.
• Deliver PDF Objectives, Business/ Transformation Plan outcomes, Outcomes & Key Results (OKRs) and Key Performance Indicator (KPI) targets as a joint endeavour and specifically those relating to the quality of Integrated Assurance and Approval Plans and project requirements for assurance reviews.
• Collaborate with the other members of the Senior Leadership Team, bringing your perspective from your area of expertise and responsibilities to produce a cohesive and collective functional view, represented effectively at Departmental Committees and senior boards.
• Respond effectively to changing Departmental priorities.
• Effectively lead a geographically dispersed team.

You will work collaboratively with the Senior Leadership Team and have collective responsibility for key areas of delivery to successfully deliver our shared outcomes. This shared responsibility is required to ensure accurate insights into project performance, adherence to professional standards, resource prioritisation and delivery of business and Transformation Plan priorities.

• Experience of delivering Project Delivery assurance and governance in large, complex environments, with a strong understanding of PD assurance frameworks, controls and effective governance.
• Credibility in advising and influencing senior stakeholders, including SROs and Departmental Governance Boards, providing constructive challenge and clear insight into delivery confidence, risk and performance.
• Strong understanding and practical application of Project Delivery Functional Standards and best practice.
• Proven success in leading high‑performing teams.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and collaboration skills, with the ability to navigate complex environments, build relationships and influence senior stakeholders within and outside the department.

Hold Project Delivery Qualifications, or be willing to work towards them (e.g. Managing Successful Programmes Practitioner, Managing Portfolios Practitioner, Chartered Project Professional, Major Projects Leadership Academy).