At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operational delivery and ensure high performance across multiple local delivery units.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking organisation focused on public protection and reducing reoffending.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to collaborate with external partners.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership experience and a commitment to equality and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Aylesbury, Basingstoke, Bicester, Oxford, Portsmouth, Reading, Slough, Southampton Region: South Central Closing Date: 22-Jun-2026
The post holder will be responsible for operational delivery by the NPS within the region. The job holder will report to the Regional Director and have line management responsibility for a number of Heads of Local Delivery Unit (LDU) Clusters and the Public Protection function in each region. In larger regions, there will be more than one post holder and responsibility for LDUs will be divided between post holders.
The post holder will provide operational direction for the NPS within the region, overseeing and joining up services across several LDU Clusters to ensure an integrated system that delivers on the purpose of probation: to protect the public and reduce reoffending. A key objective will be to ensure that high performance is consistent across LDUs.
They will be responsible for strategic direction of the interface with courts and sentencers, as well as key public protection functions such as victims, safeguarding and MAPPA. Working with the Regional Director, they will contribute to the development of strategic objectives across the probation region and operationalise these within the delivery arm of the business.
The post holder will ensure that any action plans developed by the Performance and Quality function are implemented in the operational line in a timely manner, embedding a culture of continuous improvement and actively addressing underperformance. They will implement national operational policies and procedures, using an overview of the whole region to identify and address areas of underperformance, ambiguity or inconsistency.
The job holder will provide assurance to the Regional Director that the necessary processes are in place and being adhered to in relation to both operational and corporate responsibilities. They will demonstrate inspirational, confident and empowering leadership, supporting the Regional Director in driving an inclusive and positive culture for the region.
They will collaborate with external partners at a regional or sub-regional level and represent the Regional Director as appropriate. In line with NPS policies and procedures, the job holder must at all times demonstrate a commitment to equality and inclusion and an understanding of their relevance to the work they do.
The post holder must work proactively to deliver the recommendations of the Lammy Report and implement the strategic framework for working with female offenders. The post holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this position. They may be required to participate in out of hours senior management on call rota.
Responsibilities, Activities
Head of Operations - Full Time (South Central) employer: Ministry of Justice
As a leading employer in the South Central region, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to excel in their roles. With a strong focus on professional development, we offer numerous growth opportunities and support for continuous improvement, ensuring that our team members can make a meaningful impact in the community. Join us to be part of a dedicated organisation committed to public protection and reducing reoffending, where your leadership will inspire positive change.
