12238 - Head of Operational Function - Stockport and Tameside PDU

Ministry of Justice; Stockport; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in Stockport seeks a Head of PDU to provide leadership and management within the National Probation Service. You will manage resources, represent the agency externally, and lead local strategies while ensuring compliance with health and safety legislation. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership and interpersonal skills, and have experience in operational delivery. This role plays a critical part in driving business in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Demonstrate sound knowledge of operational delivery and leadership skills.
• Ability to translate strategy into operational delivery confidently.
• Work effectively across complex agency boundaries.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop local strategies aligned with national framework.
• Manage devolved budgets in accordance with financial procedures.
• Oversee the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA).

Skills

Leadership skills

Interpersonal skills

Operational delivery knowledge

Strategic thinking

Cultural change leadership

Resilience

Job description

Greater Manchester Probation Service is a high performing region that is currently going through significant levels of organisational change, with increased focus on delivering higher levels of performance and quality, in a context where we are also dealing with high volumes of wider change (including FTR48, SDS40, Probation Reset and Impact). Head of PDU occupies a critical leadership role in driving business in this demanding role in a fast paced and changing business environment. We head towards a new business year (26/27) where we want to consolidate our service level performance and quality to build on our successes in 25/26. Stockport – Tameside is amongst our top three best performing PDUs. The Head of PDU will be coming into leading through this standard of business management to support the region.

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate sound knowledge of operational delivery and high levels of leadership skills, including well-developed interpersonal skills, ability to translate strategy into operational delivery, confidently leading through cultural change and accountability, working across complex agency boundaries and demonstrating a high level of personal and professional resilience.

Overview of the job

Heads of Operational Functions are deployed to a variety of roles so as to provide leadership of staff and operations.

Summary

To provide management and leadership within the National Probation Service (NPS) with responsibility for resources and the operational and strategic direction and management of the Service within a Local Delivery Unit (LDU) or any other operational unit and/or functional area of activity.

To represent the Deputy Director with external agencies / Stakeholders and staff 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 adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this position.

May be required to participate in out of hours senior management on call rota.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

• Lead, innovate and develop local strategies in line with the national strategic framework
• Effectively lead cluster operational delivery and contribute corporately to national operational delivery and priorities
• Lead the NPS in local strategic partnerships and ensure appropriate representation within wider partnership frameworks
• Represent the NPS at national partnerships and development meetings in line with delegated functional lead and decision making responsibilities
• Manage devolved budgets in accordance with the financial procedures outlined in the budget delegation
• Manage competing demands within (geographical) area of responsibility
• Responsible for the various functions across the division; including line management of middle managers
• Manage resources effectively
• Oversee the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) locally in conjunction with other responsible authorities including the chairing of MAPPA level 3 meetings
• Make decisions and provide advice on the management of offenders where senior management authorisation or involvement is necessary (e.g. authorising the recall of offenders to prison)
• Oversight of the management of complaints within the Operational Function and direct involvement in complaint resolution where necessary
• Undertake all Human Resources (HR) related policies and practices including overseeing local recruitment, Attendance Management, Disciplinary Investigations, Performance Management and Staff Appraisals, chair grievance and other hearings
• Work effectively with your respective Divisional Senior Leadership Team and take lead responsibility nationally for specific projects/portfolios
• Deputise for the Deputy Director as required in the LDU / operational unit functional area of activity
• Work with MOJ/NOMS Communications on a range of products
• Implement NOMS equality strategy
• Responsible for ensuring the defined work areas and associated activities comply with Health and Safety legislation. Ensure all risk assessments are undertaken and staff are made aware of their personal responsibility towards Health and Safety compliance
• Carry out agency responsibilities for victims
• Carry out safeguarding children duties in accordance with the NPS statutory responsibilities and agency policies
• Discharge estates responsibilities for Head of Operational Function
• Demonstrate pro-social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro-social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti-social behaviour and attitudes
• Work within the aims and values of NPS and NOMS

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post at present and are not exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alteration and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under job evaluation and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.