Contract Director- PECS, Serco

Location: UK (Regular travel across the contract)

Lead one of the UK's most critical public service operations. As Contract Director for PECS, you'll have full accountability for one of Serco's most operationally demanding contracts, leading around 2,000 colleagues across 146 operational sites covering 28,000 square miles. You'll be responsible for every aspect of contract performance, from operational delivery and customer relationships to financial performance, governance, compliance and the development of high-performing leadership teams. This is a role where operational excellence, public service and commercial leadership come together.

Working in partnership with HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS), HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), Police Forces and Probation Services, you'll be responsible for delivering a safe, compliant and resilient operation while leading a large, geographically dispersed workforce and shaping the future of the contract. You'll provide strategic leadership across every aspect of contract delivery, creating an environment where people perform at their best, customers have confidence in our service and operational excellence becomes the standard.

You'll work closely with senior leaders across Justice & Immigration, corporate functions and our customer organisations to ensure the contract continues to evolve, adapt and improve in response to operational demands.

What you'll be leading

• Leading a large, multi-disciplinary leadership team delivering services across multiple operational locations.
• Building trusted executive relationships with HMPPS, HMCTS, Police, Probation and other key justice stakeholders.
• Providing strategic oversight of contract performance, governance, assurance and risk management.
• Taking full ownership of financial performance, including P&L, forecasting, cost control and sustainable commercial delivery.
• Leading organisational change and service improvement initiatives that enhance operational effectiveness and customer outcomes.
• Supporting future growth by contributing operational expertise to contract renewals, extensions and new business opportunities.
• Developing high-performing leadership teams, strengthening capability and creating succession for the future.

Who we're looking for

• We're looking for an accomplished operational leader who combines commercial acumen with a genuine commitment to delivering exceptional public services. You'll bring:
• Deep senior leadership experience within complex operational or outsourced service environments.
• A proven track record of leading large-scale, multi-site operations with full accountability for service delivery and financial performance.
• Experience managing high-profile customer relationships (ideally MoJ) within complex stakeholder environments.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience managing P&L, budgets and contract performance.
• Exceptional leadership skills, with the ability to inspire, influence and develop large teams through periods of change and transformation.
• A strong understanding of governance, compliance, risk management and operational assurance.
• Experience driving continuous improvement and delivering measurable operational and financial outcomes.
• The credibility to operate confidently with executive stakeholders across both public and private sector organisations.
• The resilience to lead in a fast-paced, high-profile operational environment where no two days are the same.

What we offer

• A competitive six figure salary
• On target bonus of 15%, with potential for 30%
• Company car or car allowance
• 10% contributory pension
• PMI for you and a partner
• 25 days leave

About Serco

At Serco, not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play, from caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services. We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential public services around the world in areas including defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone.

By joining Serco you will have unlimited access to our Global Employee Networks – SercoInspire (Gender), SercoEmbrace (Multicultural), SercoUnlimited (Disability) and In@Serco (LGBT & Networks). Serco Employee Networks, led by colleagues who are passionate about diversity, inclusion and belonging.

Apply

Please click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment.

At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. We operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly Disability Confident Leader employers and holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.

For help with your application please contact 0345 010 4000.

At Serco we support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some may be exempt due to the nature of the role and the security clearance required). Please contact our recruitment team directly on 0345 010 4000 to discuss.