Director for Science, Research & Development and Data Transformation - Ministry of Justice - SCS2

Location

East Midlands (England), East of England, London (region), North East England, North West England, Scotland, South East England, South West England, Wales, West Midlands (England), Yorkshire and the Humber

About the job

Job summary

This is a Nationally based role

Job description

The Director of Science, Research & Development and Data Transformation will report to the Chief Digital and Information Officer. In this role, you will ensure that our research, data, and innovation strategies support the department’s strategic objectives, enhance evidence-based decision-making, drive operational efficiency, and enable a transformation that modernises the foundations of the UK justice system—making it more agile, sustainable, and impactful.

Key Responsibilities

• You'll lead and inspire a high-performing team of research, data, and innovation specialists, creating a culture of collaboration, curiosity, and continuous improvement. By setting a clear vision aligned with MoJ's transformation strategy, you'll empower your team to deliver evidence-based insights and innovative solutions that challenge the status quo. As part of the senior leadership team, you'll help shape strategic direction and foster a shared sense of purpose across the Service Transformation Group.
• You'll lead the transformation of MoJ's research and data services by embracing emerging technologies, modern delivery methods, and flexible working trends. Alongside managing the business-as-usual portfolio, you'll drive major change through programmes such as the Innovation Fund and Data Improvement Programme-scaling up R&D, strengthening data governance, and embedding science-led approaches across the department.
• You'll manage significant budgets, ensuring investment delivers maximum value while driving cost savings and efficiencies. Where needed, you'll secure additional funding by clearly demonstrating return on investment and broader strategic benefits. Working closely with commercial colleagues, you'll oversee supplier performance and risk and shape the future commercial strategy for research and data services through strong, forward-looking relationships with current and prospective partners.
• You'll need exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build consensus across competing priorities and navigate complex organisational landscapes. As a senior science and data leader, you'll provide expert input and strategic guidance to a wide range of stakeholders-including ministers, agency CEOs, and senior officials-ensuring research and data decisions are well-informed, aligned, and impactful.

Essential criteria

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:

• Inspiring and credible leadership, with the ability to set a strategic vision for the new MoJ Science function and a proven track record of leading change across multiple teams.
• Experience in scaling up new functions - including establishing engagement strategies, workforce and financial planning.
• Deep expertise in data science and transformation, with advanced knowledge of research methodologies, analytics, and the application of emerging technologies.
• Proven ability to work as part of a multifunctional Senior Leadership Team, ensuring alignment and a unified voice across diverse functional priorities.

Person specification

Information Session

For those interested in finding out more about the role, we encourage applicants to attend the information session on 12 February 2026, 3pm.

• Mark Thompson and an HR Lead will be present to discuss the position in more depth, as well as provide information about what you can expect while working in the Ministry of Justice.
• The session will also give you the chance to ask any questions you may have before applying to the role.
• To attend the session please join using this link:

  https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/37761006091510?p=LAc4SrUJUYgEZKksi2

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.