General Information

Salary £35,130 - £42,000 Working Pattern Full Time Vacancy Approach External Location Barnstaple, Bath, Bournemouth, Bridgewater, Bristol, Camborne, Chippenham, Dorchester, Exeter, Gloucester, Plymouth, Poole, Salisbury, St Austell, Swindon, Taunton, Torquay, Truro, Weston-super-Mare, Weymouth, Yeovil Region South West Closing Date 27-Apr-2026 Business Unit NPS South West Headquarters (2021) Post Type Permanent Civil Service Grade Other Number of jobs available 1 Reserve List 12 Months Job ID 16496

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Overview of the job

The Business Manager post within the Function or Cluster provides support to the Head of Operational Function, including making recommendations to them about operational and administrative requirements.

The jobholder acts as an interface between the Head of Operational Function and Divisional Hub, cluster staff and other agencies on a wide range of issues.

This is a non-operational post although an understanding of the wide range of Probation procedures, and policies across the organisation both operationally and at HQ are required.

The jobholder will report directly to the Head of Operational Function and have line management responsibilities for the Diary Manager and Senior Administrative Officers

Summary

The purpose of the role is to provide support to the Head of Operational Function. The jobholder will ensure that performance across the Function or Cluster is monitored, that issues are highlighted and opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness are proactively pursued.

The job holder will ensure the Head of Operational Function and others as appropriate, are informed of priority matters and are given options and/or recommendations to help them to operate effectively.

The job holder will ensure that good working relationships with Head of Operational Function and are maintained by communicating priorities effectively.

The jobholder acts as a single point of contact for the Operational Function on a number of key areas including Litigation, Complaints, Information Assurance, Communication, Business Continuity, providing appropriate signposting as necessary.

The jobholder will ensure effective management of the estate portfolio within their remit, acting as Single Point of Contact / Estates Liaison Officer and has overall management of Health and Safety within Division/Function/Cluster including compliance with Health, Safety and Fire Regulations (H&S)

The post holder will ensure all risk assessments are undertaken and staff are made aware of their personal responsibility toward H&S compliance

The jobholder will also manage relationships and liaise with a range of internal and external stakeholders and support the partnership working in the Function or Cluster.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

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

Assist with Deputy Director/ Head of Operational Function’s workload

Have oversight of the Head of Operational Function workload, ensuring that work is prioritised appropriately and that deadlines are met
Ensure that all papers/correspondence submitted to the Head of Operational Function are reviewed and actioned and that correspondence is responded to on the Head of Operational Function’s behalf.
Monitor the Functional or Cluster Delivery Plan and risk register, ensuring the Head of Operational Function is kept informed of progress,
Effective management of health and safety within operational portfolio
Manage the clusters approach to Business Continuity, Information Security and Data Protection
Work with colleagues to develop plans and strategies to deal with risks.
Ensure operational and management information systems are in place to monitor and report on performance by division, locality, function and cluster identifying operational, resource or organisational issues that may impact on performance
Analyse business information, determining relevance and benefits and compiling information reports for the Head of Operational Function and senior managers
Update the Head of Operational Function on policies and procedures, the implications for colleagues and provision of recommendations for action.
Identify national and divisional priorities and support the Head of Operational Function to respond to emergent issues
Promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, undertaking reviews and making recommendations as necessary
Attend meetings on behalf of the Head of Operational Function when necessary, maintaining a professional image at all times.
Ensure systems are in place for the management of investigations commissioned by the Head of Operational Function.
Ensure mechanisms are in place to monitor the Functional or Cluster establishment and complete the National Workforce Planning Tool.

Additional Information

Sifting on a lead behaviour - Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the lead behaviour "Deliver at Pace". Candidates who pass the initial sift will progress to full sift, or progress straight to interview.

The STAR method is a structured approach to answering interview questions by outlining the Situation, Task, Action, and Result of your experiences.

You will also be required to provide a presentation at interview. The presentation topic will be emailed to candidates who have passed initial online application stage as soon as they are made aware that they have been invited to interview. This presentation will assess candidates against the success profiles behaviour "Making Effective Decisions".

This is a regional senior support role supporting the Head of Interventions (HOI) for the South-West Probation Service in relation to the operational delivery of Unpaid Work (UPW), Accredited Programmes, Structured Interventions (APSI) and Electronic Monitoring (EM)

The office of the HOI has to respond at pace to national and regional change implementation via five heads of service. The HOI is accountable for continuous improvements through maximising development opportunities and mitigating risk through regional governance / boards

The Business Manager (BM) to the HOI is the only direct regional support function in the HOI office, collaborating with national stakeholders, i.e. policy teams, private offices, regional senior support functions, i.e. Regional Probation Director (RPD office), Heads of Operations and Community Integration. The postholder requires confidence in making decisions, analysing data, and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to achieve the best results. All three areas of the business are distinct with a major change period due imminently, due to the imminent implementation of the sentencing bill

If you thrive on change and continuous improvement, working with a range of senior leaders at pace, this is the job for you. There is an excellent regional BM support network available to this post. Taking human factors approach and learning from experiences will help the post-holder become an integral part of the South West Headquarters infrastructure, which will bring exciting opportunities for career progression and development.

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

If you would like to have an informal conversation about the role please contact Esther.Schmidt@justice.gov.uk

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: 16496

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: 16496

Job Description Attachment

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Application form stage assessments

Behaviours A sift based on the lead behaviour, Delivering at Pace, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered. Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit 250 Delivering at Pace Developing Self and Others Experience We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods CV or Work History Evidence of Experience CV or Work History Technical Technical Questions Application Form Question Word Limit 250 Sufficient ability in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint Specific qualification requirements NVQ Level 4 in Business Administration or equivalent in a relevant subject (or appropriate practical experience)

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates To be confirmed Behaviours Leadership Making Effective Decisions Working Together 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.

16496 - Business Manager to the Head of Interventions South West - Full Time - Permanent

Key skills

About this role