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- Tasks: Lead a multidisciplinary team to ensure high standards of care and compliance.
- Company: Join Serco, a leader in delivering essential public services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, comprehensive training, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in custodial settings and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced and driven Assistant Director to join the leadership team at Derwentside Immigration Removal Centre (IRC). In this critical role, you will report to the Deputy Director in leading a key operational function within the centre, ensuring the delivery of high standards of care, safety, and compliance in a secure and politically sensitive environment.
You will lead, motivate, and manage a multidisciplinary team to deliver contractual obligations, drive performance, and uphold the principles of Positive Detention Culture. Working both on site and in an office environment, you’ll also build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and the customer (Home Office), acting as a role model for professional and ethical standards.
This is a challenging yet rewarding leadership opportunity for someone with a strong background in custodial or secure settings and a passion for people management, operational excellence, and ethical service delivery.
Key Responsibilities- Lead and manage assigned departments to deliver high-quality services within contractual KPIs.
- Act as Duty Director and Silver Commander during serious incidents, including out-of-hours on-call responsibilities.
- Drive staff engagement, support business change initiatives, and reduce absenteeism.
- Ensure compliance with Serco policies, Home Office standards, and regulatory requirements.
- Monitor performance and report against operational and financial targets.
- Support training, development, and succession planning across teams.
- Maintain a safe, secure, and respectful environment for detainees, staff, and other stakeholders.
- Senior leadership experience in a custodial or secure environment.
- Proven ability to lead and develop teams in a complex, high-pressure setting.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Sound understanding of performance management, contract compliance, and reporting.
- Financial and IT literacy.
- Command-level incident management qualification.
- DCO (Detention Custody Officer) accreditation (or willingness to achieve).
- Knowledge of immigration detention and working with vulnerable adults is desirable.
- Must hold a full UK driving licence.
- This role requires successful security clearance (CTC and enhanced DBS).
- Primarily based at Derwentside IRC, with occasional travel to other sites.
- Control & restraint training (provided as part of onboarding) is required.
At Serco, we are committed to providing a safe, respectful and rehabilitative environment. You’ll be part of a collaborative team striving to make a real difference in people’s lives while maintaining high standards of professionalism and integrity.
What We Offer- A competitive salary and benefits package.
- Comprehensive training and development opportunities.
- A collaborative team environment with strong leadership.
- The chance to make a real difference in the justice system.
- Up to 6% contributory pension scheme.
- Free on site parking.
Assistant Director in Consett employer: Serco
Contact Detail:
Serco Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Director in Consett
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work at Serco or in similar roles. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Serco's values and recent projects. Show us that you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate how your experience aligns with our mission of providing a safe and respectful environment.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! We want to hear about your past experiences in managing teams and handling high-pressure situations. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows us that you’re genuinely interested in the role. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’d be a perfect fit!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Director in Consett
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Assistant Director role. Highlight your leadership experience in custodial or secure environments, and show how your skills align with the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description.
Showcase Your People Skills: Since this role involves managing a multidisciplinary team, emphasise your ability to lead and motivate others. Share examples of how you've driven staff engagement and supported business change initiatives in previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to convey your experience and qualifications, making it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! This ensures that we receive all your details correctly and helps us process your application more efficiently. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Serco
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand Serco's values and the specific responsibilities of the Assistant Director role. Familiarise yourself with the principles of Positive Detention Culture and how they apply to your leadership style.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to lead and motivate teams in high-pressure environments. Be ready to discuss how you've driven performance and managed compliance in previous roles.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and the Home Office. Prepare to discuss your communication strategies and how you’ve successfully navigated complex stakeholder dynamics in the past.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your incident management skills. Think through potential scenarios you might face as Duty Director and how you would handle them, showcasing your command-level incident management qualifications.
