Senior Programme Manager, Ministry of Justice, London/National with Visa Sponsorship

Are you an experienced Programme Manager looking for a significant leadership opportunity within the UK Civil Service? The Ministry of Justice is seeking a Senior Programme Manager to join their team, a role ideal for Nigerian and African immigrants with strong programme management skills, as visa sponsorship is available. This full-time position offers a competitive salary range of £81,338 - £94,690, depending on location, alongside a robust Civil Service pension and excellent work-life balance initiatives.

Job Description

This pivotal Senior Programme Manager role within HMPPS (Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service) is a 2-year fixed-term appointment, providing an exciting chance to shape and deliver a significant programme of change across probation services. You will be instrumental in supporting the expansion of the Norwich Service Centre, extending its services to the East of England, Kent, Surrey, Sussex, London, and national service lines.

Working under the governance of the Our Future Probation Service Programme, the successful candidate will oversee the full spectrum of governance arrangements for the project. This includes crucial tasks such as reporting on progress, meticulously managing risks and issues, and ensuring clear and effective decision-making processes. The role demands close collaboration with senior stakeholders, including Regional Probation Directors, Area Executive Directors, Executive Directors, and Ministers, necessitating exceptional leadership, communication, and influencing capabilities.

Requirements

• Demonstrable experience in programme management.
• Proven ability to communicate and influence effectively at senior levels.
• Strong leadership skills, capable of guiding teams and stakeholders.
• A strategic mindset, with the ability to see the 'big picture' and align programme objectives with broader organisational goals.
• Ability to deliver at pace in a dynamic environment.
• For foreign applicants, eligibility for a Skilled Worker (Tier 2) visa is essential, which the Ministry of Justice is prepared to sponsor.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with London weighting available.
• Generous annual leave and 9 days of bank, public, and privilege holidays.
• Choice of two Civil Service pension schemes.
• Excellent work-life balance initiatives, including hybrid working options (60% office-based expectation).
• Season ticket advance loan after two months' service.
• Access to comprehensive training and development opportunities, including promotion programmes.

How to Prepare

For our Nigerian and African immigrant professionals aiming for this Senior Programme Manager role, meticulous preparation is key. Focus on crafting a CV that highlights your programme leadership, stakeholder management, and change delivery experience, ensuring it's tailored to UK public sector expectations. Your LinkedIn profile should mirror this, showcasing your expertise and connections within relevant fields.

When preparing for the interview, be ready to discuss your experience using the Civil Service Behaviours framework: Communicating & Influencing, Delivering at Pace (Lead), Leadership, and Seeing the Big Picture. Practice articulating how your past roles align with these. Crucially, confidently address your visa sponsorship needs; the Ministry of Justice has explicitly stated sponsorship is available, so frame this as a practical next step in your successful application.

• Tailor your CV to UK public sector standards, highlighting programme management achievements and leadership roles.
• Update your LinkedIn profile to reflect UK-centric experience and professional affiliations.
• Prepare a compelling cover letter that directly addresses the job description and the required Civil Service Behaviours.
• Research the Ministry of Justice's current projects and challenges, particularly within probation services.
• Practice answering behavioural questions using the STAR method, focusing on your programme management successes.

Visa Sponsorship & Foreigner Eligibility

Visa sponsorship via the Skilled Worker (Tier 2) route is AVAILABLE for this Senior Programme Manager position. This role is explicitly open to foreign and overseas applicants who require a UK work visa. If you are uncertain about your eligibility or specific visa requirements, it is advisable to contact the Ministry of Justice recruitment team directly for clarification before applying.