Business Manager - Yorkshire and the Humber Probation Service - Part Time - Various locations

The Business Manager will operate across multiple functional areas of the National Probation Service, supporting senior leadership in service delivery, performance monitoring and improvement, and business continuity.

Key Responsibilities

• Line‑manage staff in the functional area and provide coaching, supervision and progression support.
• Monitor, deliver and improve human resources, equalities, inclusion, performance management and learning and development processes.
• Collect, analyse and report business performance data to support audit and inspection preparation.
• Advise on and help implement organisational policies, ensuring staff understand their responsibilities.
• Maintain financial compliance: monitor budgets, coordinate procurement and authorise expenditures in line with HMPPS and Civil Service policies.
• Complete and update the workforce planning tool, providing accurate information for senior leadership and participating in regional recruitment activities.
• Build partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, representing the Probation Service and coordinating engagement events as required.
• Manage the facilities portfolio, conduct health and safety risk assessments and report and escalate issues to the functional head.
• Respond to ad‑hoc requests, changing business needs and support service delivery within agreed deadlines.
• Lead pilot initiatives, undertake specific tasks and hold responsibilities assigned by the Head of the Operational Function.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• NVQ Level 4 in Business Administration or equivalent, or equivalent practical experience.
• Extensive experience managing workload for senior executives and stakeholder engagement.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) with demonstrated ability to present data and review outputs for quality.
• Experience in financial or resource management, including authorisation of expenditures.
• Strong analytical, organisational and communication skills, with the ability to operate effectively in a complex, policy‑driven environment.
• High level of English language proficiency; Welsh may be required where specified.

Desirable (Optional) Skills

• Understanding of HMPPS and Civil Service policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of information assurance and business continuity processes.
• Experience in facility health and safety management.

Benefits and Working Arrangements

• Hybrid working options where business need allows; role must be based in the UK.
• Standard full‑time hours: 37 hours per week (excluding unpaid breaks).
• Annual leave: 25 days on start date, increasing to 30 days after five years. Pro‑rated for part‑time and job‑share posts.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) via the Greater Manchester Pension Fund.
• Comprehensive training and development opportunities.
• Access to family‑friendly policies, voluntary benefits, childcare support, maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
• Annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Security Checks

All applicants will undergo standard DBS checks appropriate to the level of security required for the role.

Eligibility

The role is open to UK nationals, nationals of the Republic of Ireland, countries of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein (and their settled or pre‑settled status holders), Commonwealth citizens with the right to work in the UK, and a range of other specified nationalities. See Civil Service Nationality Rules for full details.

Important Information for Applicants

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a formal interview and will have the opportunity to demonstrate behaviours, experience and technical knowledge. Information about the interview scheme, assessment process and recruitment procedures is provided on the MoJ website.