About the job

Job summary

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) prosecutes criminal cases that have been investigated by the police and other investigative organisations in England and Wales. The duty of the CPS is to make sure that the right person is prosecuted for the right offence, and to bring offenders to justice wherever possible. 

One of two new leadership positions, the Director General, Chief Operating Officer (DG COO) is a critical leadership role, and the post holder will be a member of the CPS Board, Executive Group, the Ministerial Strategic Board, and other relevant board committees. As the Additional Accounting Officer for the CPS, the DG COO will ensure high standards of resource management (both people and financial), corporate governance and risk management and will be required to engage and collaborate effectively with stakeholders across Whitehall, in particular the Cabinet Office and Treasury, to lead and direct significant change across the Criminal Justice System and wider civil service reform priorities. The role will have ownership of the CPS change and transformation portfolio, and continuous improvement approach, as well as setting the organisational frameworks for corporate functions (Digital, People, Finance and Corporate Strategy). 

We are looking for an experienced corporate leader who has held a visible role in a large, complex organisation. An excellent communicator, you will possess the ability to form positive, effective, and trusted relationships with a range of senior stakeholders, leading cross- industry partnership working with complex and challenging bodies and/or agencies.  Confident, resilient and energetic, you will be adept at managing professional/technical experts from different profession and you will evidence the ability to achieve significant efficiencies, whilst retaining optimum operational delivery in a diversified, unionised organisation. You will demonstrate the ability to operate effectively in a political environment, at pace and you will bring a positive focus to leading transformation and continuous improvement across governance and operations.

By joining the CPS, you have the chance to make a positive difference to the communities we serve and to wider society.  The CPS is a diverse and inclusive employer and works hard to create a culture where everyone can thrive. 

This is an exciting and fast-paced role with a real opportunity to make a difference.

This job can be located in any CPS Office with regular travel to London expected, at least weekly. (Please see candidate pack below, for further information on CPS office locations)          

Job description

The Director General Chief Operating Officer (DG COO) is a critical leadership role and, along with the DG Legal Delivery, will have executive responsibility for the strategic management of the CPS, over 7000 people, performance and overall budget (approx. £890m). More specifically, it is accountable for the day-to-day operational management of the Corporate Services directorates, their 800+ people, performance and budget (approx. £270m).

The post holder will be a member of the CPS Board, Executive Group, the Ministerial Strategic Board and other relevant board committees. This is a new role and an early priority for the successful candidate (along with the DG Legal Delivery) will be to continue to build the new executive director structure. Working in close partnership with the DPP and the DG Legal Delivery, they will provide visible leadership and direction to shape, develop and deliver the CPS’ vision and strategic priorities, whilst leading the development and day to day delivery of the corporate strategy.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Being the Additional Accounting Officer for the CPS ensuring high standards of resource management (both people and financial), corporate governance and risk management. Setting and assuring the CPS budget, managing finances, and safeguarding public funds.
• Ownership of the CPS change and transformation portfolio, and continuous improvement approach, ensuring the capability and capacity to deliver improvements to the CPS service.
• Setting the organisational frameworks for corporate functions (Digital, People, Finance and Corporate Strategy) and assure the effective implementation across the CPS. Assuring leadership, risk management and strengthen board-level governance and ensure that corporate decisions are executed.
• Building and maintaining effective stakeholder engagement, and actively collaborating across Whitehall, in particular the Cabinet Office and Treasury, to lead and direct significant CJS change and wider civil service reform priorities.
• Developing and setting a robust corporate performance management framework to monitor organisation performance.
• Setting a robust risk, governance and assurance framework and ensuring its application across the CPS.
• Setting the engagement strategy and establishing effective systems to maintain and protect the CPS’ reputation.

Person specification

The following essential criteria will be used to assess your application: 

• Proven leadership experience in a delivery services organisation of similar complexity.
• Proven track record of achieving significant efficiencies whilst retaining optimum operational delivery in a complex, unionised, organisation.
• Experience of overseeing delivery of organisational transformation.
• Proven experience of operating under pressure and scrutiny.
• Proven experience of stakeholder engagement and leading cross- industry partnership working with complex and challenging bodies and/or agencies.
• Experience of managing professional/technical experts from different professions.

Benefits

Join the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and have a future that matters: Find Your Purpose

CPS is passionate about ensuring that we are a top performing organisation and a great place to work. We are committed to be an equal opportunities employer and creating a culture where everyone can bring their whole self to work and individuality is truly appreciated.

We want to ensure all our employees can thrive at work and home and offer a range of support to achieve a balance. This includes where possible, flexibility of working hours, flexibility to support caring responsibilities and a flexible approach to deployment, which means that where you work (i.e. a court, an office, or a remote setting such as your home) will be based on the kind of work you are undertaking.

This culture of inclusion is underpinned by our staff networks covering Disability, Faith and Belief, LGBTQI+, Race, Social Mobility alongside our Mental Health First Aiders Programme and Wellbeing Sessions.

CPS commits to offer its employees the following experience 

• Impactful, purposeful work – making a difference to your local communities

• The ability to learn and grow, with access to the right opportunities and resources

• To care about your wellbeing

• To feel valued, trusted and included

We also offer the following range of benefits:

• Civil Service Pension

• Access to employee savings

• Cycle2Work scheme

• 30 days paid annual leave. In addition, you will be entitled to all public holidays and to one privilege day.

• Competitive maternity, paternity and parental leave

• Flexible working and a family friendly approach to work.

• Childcare vouchers unless already registered with the Government Tax Free Childcare Scheme

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This recruitment process is being supported by GatenbySanderson on behalf of the CPS.

When ready to apply, please make your application online no later than 17:00 on Friday 26 April 2024 using the following link: 

https://www.gatenbysanderson.com/job/GSe109654

If you are unable to apply online, or need any assistance with the online application process, please contact: devon.coates@gatenbysanderson.com

If you would like to discuss the role confidentially before applying, or require more information about the recruitment process, please contact GatenbySanderson at the following email address: orla.brennan@gatenbysanderson.com

Please see candidate pack below, for further information on how to apply. 

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.