Head of Business Assurance Op/Non Op

Ministry of Justice; Stoke Heath; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry of Justice is seeking a senior leader to drive the Corporate Services Function, delivering business assurance to the Governing Governor and coordinating strategy, planning and performance reporting across HR, Finance, and National Contracts. The role encompasses resource management, change management, and procurement oversight to ensure the organisation meets its deadlines and objectives.

The post involves strategic collaboration with HMPPS partners, national and local contracts, and a

Qualifications

• Broad leadership and governance experience
• Strong understanding of corporate services (HR, Finance, Contracts)
• Experience in budget management and procurement oversight

Responsibilities

• Lead the Corporate Services Function and staff within the area.
• Provide Business Assurance to the Governing Governor and deliver the Establishment Delivery Plan.
• Oversee resource management, change management, and performance reporting.

Job description

The job holder has full accountability for leading the delivery of an efficient and effective Corporate Service Function. The scope of this role is to provide Business Assurance to the Governing Governor. This includes Business Planning, identifying, implementing and supporting the achievement of business objectives. As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), the job holder will contribute and implement their Function's objectives as defined in the establishment's Business Plan. This is either an operational or non-operational, rotational job with line management responsibilities. If operational, please see technical requirements. Responsibilities, Activities and Duties The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties: Accountable for the management of the Corporate Services Function and all staff within this area, including the Business and People Hubs. This function will include activities within the following areas: Establishment Business Delivery & Planning Resource Management & Change Management Audit & Assurance This role will work strategically and effectively with HMPPS professional partners who will provide specialist support for the post holder to achieve establishment deadlines where required. There is no expectation for the post holder to hold specialist knowledge or qualification in relation to key areas which will include (but not be limited to) HR, Finance, National Contracts, Health, Safety & Fire, Litigation, Legal matters and this work will receive the necessary professional support. Establishment Business Delivery & Planning Accountable for the development and completion of the establishment's Service Delivery Requirements and the co-ordination and update of establishment development objectives in accordance with HMPPS Commissioning intentions. Responsible for ensuring information and outcomes on Service Delivery Requirements are collected and accountable for ensuring Business and Performance information is available to inform the Governor within agreed deadlines. Accountable for the accurate reporting of all establishment Performance data including Hub sign off and data validation. Accountable for the completion of the Compliance return which incorporates the Statement of Internal Financial Control with specialist support from the Finance Business Partner. Accountable for the annual production of the Establishment Delivery Strategy. Accountable for ensuring that logistical and practical arrangements are in place to support partnership activity within the establishment and support the work of individuals/teams linked to national contract management. Responsible for the management of budgets devolved by the Governing Governor to the Corporate Services function and be the Chief Approver for procurement within the establishment where exceptional expenditure is required. Responsible for supporting the Governing Governor by acting as the single point of contact (SPOC) for information on all partnership working with external service providers and stakeholders including performance management information and contract management oversight of local projects. Responsible for supporting the Governing Governor by developing and delivering a performance framework which allows the Governor oversight of a range of partnership commissioning including local contract arrangements. Responsible for supporting the Governing Governor to develop strategy and policy compatible with national strategy and policy to effectively support a strategic understanding of national and local contracts and to sustain and increase partnership activity. To act as the Health Safety and Fire Sponsor. To act as the Litigation Sponsor. Resource Management & Change Management Accountable for the strategic oversight and management of the establishment's staffing resource, including all Workforce Planning activities. Responsible for ensuring the establishment's effective and efficient use of staffing resources including planning and co-ordination and stakeholder engagement activities to ensure adherence to national standard operating procedures. Accountable for ensuring that the establishment adheres to National Attendance Monitoring Processes. Accountable for developing and delivering effective Staff Engagement and Communication strategies for the establishment with specialist support from the HRBP team. Accountable for co-ordination and delivery of the establishment Staff training plan including the completion of the annual Self-Assessment Review (SAR) document. To act as the Local Implementation Manager for Business Change and to act as SPOC in relation to local contracting arrangements when directed by the Governor to meet specific Business Change requirements when required. To ensure effective partnership working is developed and in place with internal and regional HMPPS specialised partners such as HRBP and FBP. Audit & Assurance Accountable for the establishment's adherence to the National Assurance Process. Accountable for the establishment's Audit and Assurance activities including liaison with Regional Assurance Managers and Programme Information and Analysis Group (PIAG). Accountable for adherence to Governance & Operational (G&O) audit outcomes including Financial controls, Information Assurance, Performance data quality and the Assurance framework. Accountable for the timely reporting and understanding of all the establishment SDRs and assurance reporting including local Data Validation are embedded within the establishment management structures. Accountable for ensuring that robust audit control mechanisms are in place to ensure quality and integrity of internal audit outcomes. Accountable for the development and monitoring of the Establishment Delivery Plan. Accountable for monitoring the assurance and compliance of the establishment to local and national policies linked with the function, and providing assurance to the Governor of the position of mandatory outcomes. Accountable for local asset management. To act as the designated lead for assurance and quality visits from HMIP, MQPL, G&O.