Business Manager - Head of Operations in Birkenhead

The Business Manager will operate across multiple functional areas of the business, providing support to senior leaders and ensuring effective service delivery. The role involves making recommendations on operational and administrative matters, serving as an interface between senior leadership, teams across the function, and internal and external stakeholders. The holder will develop an understanding of Probation Service policies, wider Civil Service policies, and will manage a portfolio that includes Information Assurance, Business Continuity, Workforce Planning, Estate Management, and financial responsibilities such as budget monitoring and procurement.

Responsibilities

• Line manage the Diary Manager, Senior Administrative Officers and Case Administrators, providing supervision, coaching and progression support.
• Monitor and deliver procedures related to human resources, equalities and inclusion, staff performance management and learning and development.
• Maintain robust administrative processes to gather, monitor and synthesise business performance data, supporting audits and inspections.
• Advise on the review and improvement of organisational policies and local procedures, supporting staff with guidance.
• Ensure financial compliance, monitor budgets, support financial planning, coordinate procurement and authorise expenditures.
• Complete the workforce planning tool and provide accurate information for senior leaders, supporting recruitment activities.
• Build effective relationships with internal teams, external agencies and partner organisations, representing the Probation Service and coordinating engagement events.
• Manage facilities portfolio, complete health and safety risk assessments and maintain reporting systems for compliance with health, safety and fire regulations.
• Respond to changing business needs, queries and requests, completing ad‑hoc tasks to meet deadlines.
• Lead development of pilot initiatives, undertake specific tasks and hold responsibilities assigned by the Head of Operational Function, supporting senior leadership with emerging business issues.

Qualifications

• Experience (Essential) – Demonstrated experience of managing workload of senior level executives and extensive stakeholder engagement; use of Microsoft Office to present information, review outputs for quality.
• Experience (Essential) – Demonstrated experience of effectively managing financial or other resources.
• Technical (Essential) – NVQ Level 4 in Business Administration or equivalent, with practical experience; sufficient ability in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.

Working Arrangements & Benefits

• Base flexible within the NW Region, with regular travel across the region.
• The role offers hybrid working arrangements where business need allows, blending base location, MoJ sites and home work. The role can only be worked in the UK.
• Working hours are 37 hours per week (excluding unpaid breaks). Part‑time, flexible and job‑sharing arrangements are considered where they meet the demands of the role and business needs.
• Annual leave: 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 days after five years’ service, plus public holidays. Leave for part‑time and job share posts calculated on a pro‑rated basis.
• Pension – National Probation Service covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) via the Greater Manchester Pension Fund.
• Training – Extensive range of training and development opportunities offered by the Ministry of Justice.
• Networks – Employee‑run networks for minority ethnic origin, disabilities, caring responsibilities, women and LGBTQ+ members.
• Support programmes: family‑friendly policies, flexible benefits, childcare support schemes, paid paternity/adoption/maternity leave, free annual sight tests for screen users.

EEO Statement

This job is broadly open to the following groups of nationals:

• UK nationals
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries with right to work in the UK
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and settled or pre‑settled status holders and their families
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein with valid settlement applications and their families
• Individuals with limited or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals and certain family members with accrued right to work in the Civil Service

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