Chief Executive Scottish Courts and Tribunals

Overview:
The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) is a non-ministerial department established by the Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008. We are looking for an outstanding individual for the role of Chief Executive. If you have the leadership ability to translate our vision into clear goals, deliver long term sustainable and innovative working practices and inspire our people, we very much hope you will apply.

As Chief Executive you will be responsible for circa 1900 staff based in 60 locations across Scotland and lead the delivery of all of the services SCTS provides, driving transformational change which will improve services in the future.

This role presents a great opportunity to work at the heart of Scotland’s justice system during one of the most exciting periods of rapid change it has ever experienced. You will lead the delivery of reform across several areas: criminal justice, civil justice, Tribunals, Office of the Public Guardian and Corporate.

You will ensure SCTS is managed in a robust way that safeguards public funds and assets. As accountable officer with the budget of some £200 million, you will be responsible for strong corporate governance, financial management, investment and risk management. You will be an inclusive and strategic leader and manager, able to motivate, and engage others to support justice. As Chief Executive you will champion equality and diversity for employees and visitors to build a resilient, safe and inclusive culture.

As a member of the SCTS Board, chaired by the Lord President, you will lead the development of our corporate strategy and business plans. You will be a strong strategic thinker who can create the vision and define the agenda. The Chief Executive line manages and is supported by six Executive Directors and two Heads of Unit. You will be required to operate in a complex environment with multiple stakeholders amid various legal and constitutional regimes.

**Responsibilities**:
In this post you will:

- Work with the SCTS Board members to develop the corporate strategy and set the direction for the organisation, ensuring that the Board’s decisions are implemented.
- Lead strategy development and business planning across SCTS and justice organisations, striking the balance between maintaining high quality statutory functions with driving innovation at pace.
- Ensure strong engagement with Scottish Government and Scottish Ministers on the SCTS strategy, government policy developments and future funding needs.
- Have responsibility for leading the organisation (circa 1,900 employees across 60 locations) to deliver all the services which the SCTS provides and to drive transformational change and innovation which will improve services in the future.
- Work closely with the Lord President and senior judiciary ensuring they are fully supported in their statutory duties. You will also maintain strong working relationships with the judicial representative groups on all operational issues.
- As a senior leader within the justice system, be a member of the Justice Board, with responsibility for developing and overseeing delivery of elements of the Scottish Government’s Vision for Justice in Scotland. You will play a critical role supporting the delivery of the outcomes and priorities set out in the Justice Strategy for Scotland. You will be responsible for managing the strategic relationships and driving innovation across other justice bodies.
- As Accountable Officer, with budget of some £200m, have the responsibility for maintaining a sound system of governance that supports the achievement of SCTS policies, aims and objectives whilst safeguarding the public funds and assets.
- Ensure robust systems of management and control are in place within SCTS that support the achievement of the SCTS targets, policies, aims and objectives, whilst at the same time ensuring robust risk management informs decisions on financial and operational planning.
- Lead the Executive Team, directly line managing six Executive Directors covering: Deputy Chief Executive, Court Operations, Tribunals Operations and Office of the Public Guardian; Chief Finance Officer, Change and Digital Innovation and Judicial Office, along with two Heads of Unit; Director, Communications and the Director, Human Resources.

**Please download the**
**for more information on the role and person specification.**

Qualifications:
**Specialist Expertise**

**Operating in the Justice System**
- As a key senior role in Scotland’s justice system, you should be able to demonstrate a good knowledge of the Scottish justice system and have a combination of experience of leading (at senior executive or CEO level) in both a policy environment and a delivery body environment including experience of leading significant organisational change with strong political and commercial awareness.

**Essential Criteria**

**Leading collectively**
- Taking an effective whole system approach to complex, dynami