Director General Legal Delivery
Crown Prosecution Service
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 18th November 2024
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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, making operational decisions fairly and objectively by following our Code for Crown Prosecutors, and independently of the police and government. If a case meets our legal test we authorise the police to charge the defendant.
You can find out more about our role on our website:
About CPS , The Crown Prosecution Service
The organisation
Over 7,000 people work for the CPS, across England and Wales in a variety of roles. Almost half the employees are lawyers, who are responsible for deciding whether to prosecute cases, and represent the Crown in many hearings in the courts. The rest work to assist prosecutors preparing cases for court, or in other professions including operational delivery, finance, human resources, communications, policy, and digital and technology services. The CPS Board agrees the strategic direction and priorities for the CPS and provides a forum for constructive challenge on proposals and the implementation of decisions by the DPP and the executive team. It plays a key role in ensuring that the organisation is equipped to provide a professional, efficient and high-quality service.
Context
The CPS faces many challenges. most of which require joint working across the criminal justice system to address. This includes continued operational improvement and tackling court backlogs, developing an improved service for victims and reducing victim ‘attrition’, maintaining performance on Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) cases, improving quality of casework, supporting the delivery of the HMG Safer Streets Mission, supporting the development of the Border Security Command to tackle organised immigration crime, and recruitment and retention of skilled staff (particularly those with legal skills).
Following a review of the senior executive structure, and as a key part of best addressing the above challenges, the CPS has a two Director General (DG) model, a DG Legal Delivery (this role) and DG Chief Operating Officer (starting in November 2024) to provide a balance of support to the DPP on legal and operational matters.
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.
Job description
The Director General Legal Delivery (DG LD) is a critical leadership role and, along with the DG COO, 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 Legal Delivery (legal services and operations), their 6000+ people, performance and budget (approx. £610m).
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 COO) will be to continue to build the new executive director structure. Working in close partnership with the DPP and the DG Chief Operating Officer, 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 implementation of the Legal Delivery corporate plan.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Providing leadership to ensure operational performance of legal and operational services and delivery of high-quality casework.
- Setting and assuring the professional legal standards, ethics and application of the Code for Crown Prosecutors, leading programmes of work to develop and maintain relevance and ensure fit-for-purpose policy and guidance.
- Actively collaborating with operational and legal partners across the Criminal Justice System (CJS), including the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) to lead and direct significant CJS change.
- With the DPP, lead and manage the organisational approach to building public confidence in CPS legal decision-making.
- Build and maintain effective stakeholder engagement at national and regional levels across the CJS.
- Ensure effective application and running of the CPS risk, governance and assurance framework across Legal Delivery.
Person specification
The following essential criteria will be used to assess your application:
- Professionally qualified Solicitor or Barrister entitled to practise in England and Wales, with 10 years PQE.
- Proven track record of providing Leadership and management in a complex organisation.
- Extensive track record of successfully practising criminal law or civil litigation.
- Proven experience of providing legal advice, input and decision-making into the most complex and sensitive legal casework.
- Demonstrable success in improving the efficiency and productivity of casework management in a complex organisation.
- Proven experience of operating effectively under pressure and scrutiny.
- Proven experience of successful stakeholder engagement ideally in a complex multi-agency environment.
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 Green Park on behalf of the CPS.
When ready to apply, please make your application online no later than 11:59pm on Monday 18th November 2024.
For further information on how to apply, please see the following link below.
Crown Prosecution Service (green-park.co.uk)
If you want to know more about the role or selection process, please contact Richard Grayling from our Executive Search partners, Green Park by emailing richard.grayling@green-park.co.uk.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
The use of AI within applications is not prohibited as technological assistance can be considered broadly equivalent to a number of pre-existing tools. However, the application must be factually accurate, and you must declare how you have used AI in preparation for your application.
Clearance Required
If successful you must hold, or be willing to obtain, security clearance to SC level before taking up post. The successful applicant will then be required to undergo Developed Vetting (DV) following commencement of the role.
More information about the vetting process can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/security-vetting-and-clearance
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Richard Grayling
- Email : richard.grayling@green-park.co.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : SCS.RelationshipsTeam@cps.gov.uk
