Responsible Officer in Fareham

Role Overview

As VRU Director, you will lead in the strategic coordination of multi‑agency responses, ensuring effective partnership working. This role is the Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) for all projects delivered by specified Home Office Grants in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and is responsible for leading and delivering a whole‑system, public‑health approach to reducing knife crime, anti‑social behaviour (ASB), and violence against women and girls (VAWG). The full role profile and breakdown of responsibilities can be viewed here.

Responsibilities

• Operational leadership & governance
• Partnership & stakeholder engagement
• Programme delivery & impact evaluation
• Resource & financial management
• Data sharing & evidence‑based practice
• Strategic development & policy influence

Regular travel across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is required, with occasional national travel and some evening/weekend work (time off in lieu is available).

Qualifications & Experience

We are looking for a candidate with a professional/graduate level qualification, or who has substantial comparative workplace experience. Candidates should have significant line management experience, including performance and absence management, and must hold a full UK driving licence.

You will also have experience in a senior leadership role, ideally within policing, community safety, VCSE sector, public health, or social care. It is essential that you have a strong understanding of public‑health approaches to harm reduction as well as experience in commissioning and evaluating services/interventions. You should have strategic planning and project management skills with experience around budget management. Communication, negotiating, and influencing skills are imperative, along with the ability to make data‑informed decisions and drive continuous improvement. The role has a fast‑moving workload, so you need to be agile and able to manage spontaneous demands alongside pre‑planned activities.

Location & Travel

Regular travel across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is required, with occasional national travel and some evening/weekend work (time off in lieu is available).

Salary

£69,303 – £76,023 per annum

Benefits

• Competitive pension scheme
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Access to a salary sacrifice scheme for ultra‑low emission vehicles (ULEV)
• Blue Light Card membership
• Excellent wellbeing support
• Fantastic career progression including development and secondment opportunities