20424 - Unpaid Work Operations Manager - London Probation Service

20424 - Unpaid Work Operations Manager - London Probation Service

Are you an experienced operational leader who can motivate teams, lead a dispersed workforce, manage performance and deliver high-quality public services in a complex environment?

We are seeking full time confident middle managers to lead the delivery of Unpaid Work across a district, ensuring services are safe, purposeful, accessible and effective in supporting rehabilitation and reducing reoffending.

Reporting to the Head of Unpaid Work, the post holder will provide visible leadership to a mobile and dispersed team working across a seven-day service.

The role requires strong people management, strong communication skills, sound judgement, partnership working and a commitment to delivering services that meet court requirements, health and safety standards and organisational priorities.

The role will include out-of-hours and weekend working to ensure management support is available for lone-working staff and operational delivery.

About the role

As Unpaid Work Operations Manager, you will ensure the requirements of the court are delivered through the assessment, planning and oversight of a diverse range of purposeful work placements.

These placements must meet health and safety requirements, maximise accessibility and the demand and respond to the diverse needs of people on probation.

You will work in partnership with internal colleagues, external agencies and local stakeholders to ensure Unpaid Work services are delivered to a high standard, meet performance expectations and support positive outcomes for people on probation and the communities they serve.

This is a key middle-management role, responsible for leading people, improving practice, managing risk and creating a safe, inclusive and performance-focused working environment.

Key responsibilities

• Provide effective leadership and management to a dispersed operational team, taking accountability for performance, quality of practice and service delivery.
• Ensure the safe and effective delivery of court orders, managing associated risks including public protection, staff safety, organisational risk and reputational impact.
• Maintain effective links with risk management and multi-agency forums, ensuring appropriate oversight of placements and operational decisions.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to raise awareness of Unpaid Work and strengthen confidence in service delivery.
• Build and maintain relationships with community partners, local authorities, community safety partnerships and other agencies to develop meaningful placement opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with Unpaid Work Sentence management to meet the demand and needs of UPW requirements.
• Provide management oversight of placement suitability, including arrangements for people who present higher levels of risk or have additional needs.
• Recruit, support and develop staff, proactively managing performance, attendance, employee relations and diversity matters in line with HR policies.
• Lead continuous improvement in service quality, operational efficiency and partnership working.
• Oversee asset, fleet and equipment management, ensuring resources are aligned to demand and used effectively.
• Work with health and safety colleagues, committees and trade union representatives to ensure safe working practices, investigate concerns and implement improvements.
• Promote Unpaid Work to stakeholders

These duties and responsibilities listed are not exhaustive.

The Job holder may be required to accept and undertake reasonable additional duties and/or tasks appropriate to the level of the role, in line with business and organisational needs.

Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.

• Behaviours
• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others
• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• What we are looking for
• A visible and inclusive leadership style, with the ability to motivate, support and develop others.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, including the ability to work confidently with partners and stakeholders.
• Sound decision‑making skills and the ability to manage competing operational demands.
• A commitment to delivering a quality service at pace while maintaining safety, fairness and professional standards.
• The ability to work flexibly, as part of a team and wider department and on own initiative.
• The ability to work collaboratively, champion diversity and promote an inclusive working environment.
• Experience of managing staff working with challenging people in a practical or operational environment.
• Understanding of the role of the Probation Service and Unpaid Work within the Criminal Justice System and in a multi‑agency setting.
• Knowledge and understanding of the issues faced by victims of crime.
• Experience of risk management and assessment, including an understanding of multi‑agency risk assessment and management procedures.
• Experience of working under pressure, meeting demanding deadlines and delivering against performance targets.
• Evidence of managing or supporting change and improving quality, efficiency or service outcomes.
• Well‑developed IT skills, including the ability to interpret and apply performance information.
• Experience of championing diversity, equality and inclusion in practice.
• Experience of applying health and safety policies and procedures, with a working knowledge of relevant legislation.
• Experience of effective administration, record keeping and information systems.
• Technical requirements
• Level 3 Institution of Occupational Safety and Health qualification, or equivalent, or the ability to achieve this within six months of appointment.
• A valid UK manual driving licence.
• Additional requirement
• The ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English, or Welsh where specified in Wales.
• A good level of written English

This post attracts a London allowance, which will be discussed at interview.

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