15961 - Head of Operations - East Midlands

General Information

Salary £81,380 - £93,820 Working Pattern Full Time Vacancy Approach External Location Boston, Buxton, Chesterfield, Coalville, Derby, Grantham, Leicester, Lincoln, Loughborough, Mansfield, Nottingham, Worksop Region East Midlands Closing Date 27-Apr-2026 Business Unit NPS East Midlands Headquarters (2021) Post Type Permanent Civil Service Grade Other Number of jobs available 1 Reserve List 12 Months Job ID 15961

Descriptions & requirements

Job description     

Overview of the job

The post holder will be responsible for operational delivery by the NPS within the region. The job holder will report to the Regional Director and have line management responsibility for a number of Heads of Local Delivery Unit (LDU) Clusters and the Public Protection function in each region. In larger regions, there will be more than one post holder and responsibility for LDUs will be divided between post holders.
 

Summary

The post holder will provide operational direction for the NPS within the region, overseeing and joining up services across several LDU Clusters to ensure an integrated system that delivers on the purpose of probation: to protect the public and reduce reoffending. A key objective will be to ensure that high performance is consistent across LDUs. They will be responsible for strategic direction of the interface with courts and sentencers, as well as key public protection functions such as victims, safeguarding and MAPPA. Working with the Regional Director, they will contribute to the development of strategic objectives across the probation region and operationalise these within the delivery arm of the business. 
The post holder will ensure that any action plans developed by the Performance and Quality function are implemented in the operational line in a timely manner, embedding a culture of continuous improvement and actively addressing underperformance. They will implement national operational policies and procedures, using an overview of the whole region to identify and address areas of underperformance, ambiguity or inconsistency. The job holder will provide assurance to the Regional Director that the necessary processes are in place and being adhered to in relation to both operational and corporate responsibilities. They will demonstrate inspirational, confident and empowering leadership, supporting the Regional Director in driving an inclusive and positive culture for the region. They will collaborate with external partners at a regional or sub-regional level and represent the Regional Director as appropriate.   
In line with NPS policies and procedures, the job holder must at all times demonstrate a commitment to equality and inclusion and an understanding of their relevance to the work they do. The post holder must work proactively to deliver the recommendations of the Lammy Report and implement the strategic framework for working with female offenders. 
The post holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this position.   
They may be required to participate in out of hours senior management on call rota.
 

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

• Line manage a number of ‘Heads of Function’ who are responsible for operational delivery in the LDU Clusters and Public Protection.
• Hold senior leaders to account for the performance of their LDU Clusters and Public Protection teams, ensuring that consistent and high standards are maintained and taking effective action to address deficits.
• Develop and implement regional strategies in line with the national strategic framework.
• Work with senior leaders to ensure a holistic approach to delivery against the strategic direction set by the Regional Director.  
• Provide advice and make ultimate decisions on the management of offenders where senior management authorisation or involvement is necessary.
• Provide assurance to the Regional Director that systems are in place to manage, monitor and escalate critical cases. Ensure that senior managers, Ministers and Press Office are provided with prompt and accurate information on high profile and sensitive cases that will have a bearing on the reputation of the organisation.
• Lead strategic work on delivering services to the Courts, working with sentencers and other CJS partners to improve sentencer confidence.
• Manage devolved budgets in accordance with the financial procedures outlined in the budget delegation and ensure that the region implements effective financial controls.
• Provide assurance to the Regional Director that LDUs are compliant with all relevant regulations and that all corporate responsibilities are being met.
• Work with Criminal Justice partners and stakeholders at a regional or sub-regional level to ensure effective delivery. Represent the Regional Director with external agencies in line with delegated functional and decision-making responsibilities.
• Encourage whole-system alignment within the LDUs by liaising with the Head of Community Integration to ensure contracted and voluntary sector providers of probation services are available to deliver the best outcomes for offenders.
• Liaise with those responsible for centrally managed services such as Approved Premises to ensure timely allocation to accommodation.
• Work collegiately with NPS and HMPPS leaders at a national level to inform strategic planning, maintaining a current awareness of wider developments with an impact on the organisation.
• Model effective management behaviour as a visible and approachable leader, demonstrating a commitment to equality and inclusion. Reinforce pro-social behaviour and attitudes and challenge anti-social behaviour and attitudes.
• Manage resources effectively, balancing competing demands in the prioritisation and allocation of resources across LDUs.
• Deliver Human Resources related policies and practices including chairing grievance appeals, conduct and discipline and capability hearings.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.
 

Behaviours

• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Developing Self and Others
  
  

Experience

• Significant experience of the delivery of probation services at senior manager level.
• Substantial experience of line management of staff, including supervision, appraisal and motivating.
• Experience of formulating and implementing policy successfully and effectively.
  
  

Technical

Mandatory - Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP). Or, a qualification which was recognised at the time of qualification by the Secretary of State for Justice as per Section 10 of the Offender Management Act 2007.   The following qualifications gained in England and Wales were previously recognised as providing such eligibility:

• Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma/Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice
• BA (Hons)/Graduate Diploma in Community Justice (incorporating a level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice (Vocational Qualification))
• Diploma in Probation Studies
• Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option)
• CQSW (with Probation Option)

Additional Information

Interview Aids

No aids (electronic or otherwise) will be permitted during the interview unless agreed in advance as part of a recognised reasonable adjustment.

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.  

For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS’ Flexible Working policy.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service, plus public holidays. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis

Pension

The National Probation Service is covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF).  Please visit www.gmpf.org.uk for further information.

Please note: Any current Civil Servant who is a member of the PCSPS, by accepting an offer of employment to the National Probation Services will be opted out of the PCSPS and auto enrolled into the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

Eligibility

All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post

Support

• A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
• Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
• For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices.  You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

• To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk);
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

Contact Information  

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference: 15961

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference: 15961

Job Description Attachment

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Application form stage assessments

Behaviours Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit 250 Seeing the Big Picture Changing and Improving Leadership Managing a Quality Service Experience We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods Statement of Suitability Evidence of Experience Statement of Suitability Technical Technical Questions Application Form Question Word Limit 500 Specific qualification requirements A relevant qualification in probation

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates TBC Behaviours Changing and Improving Leadership Managing a Quality Service Making Effective Decisions Strengths Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.

Other Assessments

Which assessment methods will be used? Presentation Level of security checks required DBS Standard

Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.  Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.