Head of Function

Mitie; England; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Heathrow IRC is seeking a senior leader to oversee key departments and ensure safety, dignified care, integrity and respect in line with Home Office standards.

You will inspire and guide a large team, manage budgets, and maintain high-quality service while coordinating with Home Office, senior leaders and emergency services.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience within detention, custodial, policing, or similar settings.
• Experience managing teams of 50+ staff, including supervising first-line managers.
• Budget management skills with focus on cost control and value delivery.
• Contract management with a track record of performance and compliance.
• Nebosh General Certificate or IOSH Managing Safely required; Level 6 qualification in a relevant discipline.

Responsibilities

• Lead one of the departments (Security, Resident operations, Residential Services, Regimes activities or Safety) to ensure a safe, respectful environment and smooth centre operations.
• Maintain and update operational procedures to meet standards and regulations; ensure staff are informed and equipped.
• Develop strategies to optimise efficiency, improve quality, and control costs; build strong stakeholder relationships (Home Office, senior leadership, emergency services).
• Coach, motivate and develop staff; manage budgets to deliver high-quality service within financial constraints.
• As part of the Senior Leadership Team, regularly assume the Duty Director role during critical times.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Contract management

Stakeholder engagement

Staff coaching

Education

Nebosh General Certificate

IOSH Managing Safely

Level 6 qualification

Job description

Location: Please note this role is onsite in Heathrow IRC not Hybrid or Working from Home

Hours: Full time/Permanent

Are you passionate about making a real difference? Do you believe in leading with heart and purpose?

At Heathrow IRC, we're committed to going above and beyond—because every interaction matters. We're proud of the meaningful impact we make, and we're on the lookout for inspiring leaders who share our dedication.

If you thrive on empowering teams, ensuring excellence, and creating safe, respectful environments — we want to hear from you!

Job Overview

As a key leader within IRC, you'll oversee a vital function, championing safety, security, dignified care, integrity, and respect — all aligned with contractual, legislative, and Home Office standards. Your role is to inspire, support, and guide your team to deliver outstanding results, ensuring the centre runs smoothly and efficiently.

What You'll Be Doing

At Heathrow IRC we have the following departments Security, Resident operations, Residential Services, Regimes activities and Safety, each led by a Head of Function. In this role, you will lead one of these departments ensuring you work seamlessly together to provide a safe and respectful environment. You will be responsible for maintaining and updating operational procedures, ensuring they meet all relevant standards and regulations, and that staff are well-informed and equipped to do their jobs effectively. Developing strategies to optimise efficiency, improving quality, and controlling costs will be central to your work, alongside fostering strong relationships with stakeholders like the Home Office, senior leadership teams, and emergency services.

Supporting your team through coaching, motivation, and development is key — creating a culture of inclusion, excellence, and continuous improvement. You will also play a vital role in managing budgets, ensuring the delivery of a high-quality service within financial constraints. As part of the Senior Leadership Team, you will regularly step into the Duty Director role, leading the centre during critical times with confidence and professionalism.

What We're Looking For

• Proven leadership experience within detention, custodial, policing, or similar settings.
• Experience managing teams of 50+ staff, including supervising first-line managers.
• Budget management skills, with a focus on controlling costs and delivering value.
• Contract management skills with a proven track record of delivering high performance and contract compliance alongside excellent stakeholder engagement
• Qualifications such as Nebosh (General Certificate) or IOSH Managing Safely.
• Level 6 qualification (degree, apprenticeship, or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.

All employment offers are subject to security clearance and background checks.

• British Citizen, EU citizen with settled status, or ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain).
• No recent criminal convictions, CCJs, or significant activity outside the UK (apart from holidays).
• Lived in the UK for the past three years with no major footprints abroad.