Employment/Education Service Manager (Prisons)

Aspire Recruitment; Leeds; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking an Employment/Education Service Manager to lead delivery of services in several prisons across North and West Yorkshire. The ideal candidate must have strong management experience, a solid understanding of the justice sector, and the ability to achieve results. This full-time role offers a salary of up to £42,000, and candidates will be responsible for overseeing support staff and ensuring participants secure jobs or learning opportunities.

Qualifications

• Strong people management experience in prisons or with ex-offenders.
• Proven ability to achieve performance results.
• Good understanding of justice sector, HMPPS, and CFO Evolution programmes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support prison-based delivery and support staff.
• Ensure participants are placed into jobs or learning opportunities.
• Manage service delivery in custody with prison staff.

Skills

Effective leadership and staff management

Excellent organisational and financial management skills

Strong communication and networking abilities

Ability to interpret MI and financial information to support decision-making

Commitment to integrity, empowerment, collaboration

Job description

Overview

Employment/Education Service Manager (Prisons)
Across North and West Yorkshire
Up to £42,000
Full-time, Permanent

The Role: We are looking for a Service Manager to lead the delivery of the CFO Evolution Activity Hubs within a custodial setting across HMP Wealstun, HMP Leeds, HMP Askham Grange, and HMP Newhall. This is a leadership role, overseeing a team of delivery and support staff to ensure high-quality services for participants. Working closely with prison staff, stakeholders, and employers, you will drive performance, develop strong local partnerships, and support individuals in custody to prepare for release and achieve positive outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support a team of prison-based delivery and support staff to meet contract targets.
• Ensure participants are placed into jobs or learning opportunities and sustained in these outcomes.
• Manage service delivery in custody, working closely with HMPP staff and other stakeholders.
• Oversee health and safety within custodial environments.
• Build relationships with employers to meet recruitment and training needs.
• Take responsibility for P&L results, including income targets, productivity, and costs.
• Develop local partnerships to ensure a wide range of provision and participant referrals.
• Ensure high-quality, compliant services with robust audit trails.
• Drive continuous improvement in delivery, systems, and quality.
• Maintain knowledge of policy, market intelligence, and opportunities.
• Deliver services with integrity, always meeting Health & Safety requirements.

About You

• Strong people management experience, including direct management in prisons, probation service or working with ex-offenders.
• Proven ability to achieve performance results.
• Confident communicator, able to present to prison staff, governors, and stakeholders.
• Skilled at report writing and fluent in ICT use.
• Good understanding of the justice sector, HMPPS, and CFO Evolution programmes.
• Knowledge of people management principles, labour markets, and relevant national/local policies.
• Resilient, results-driven, and able to work under pressure.
• A strong team player with the ability to build partnerships and networks.

Skills Required

• Effective leadership and staff management.
• Excellent organisational and financial management skills.
• Strong communication and networking abilities.
• Ability to interpret MI and financial information to support decision-making.
• Commitment to the values of integrity, empowerment, collaboration, and positive impact.

Additional Information

This role requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and enhanced security clearance. It is a legal offence to apply if you are on the Barred List.

If this sounds like the perfect role for you then please submit your CV.

This vacancy is being handled by Aspire Recruitment. Please be aware we receive a high volume of applications and regularly receive applications from candidates who exceed the job credentials. We will only contact you within the next 14 days if you are selected for interview.

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