Head of Function

Mitie Group plc.; Oxford; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Campsfield IRC in Oxfordshire is recruiting a Head of Function to lead a key department within the centre, ensuring safety, dignity, and compliance with Home Office standards. The role requires strategic oversight, robust governance, and the ability to inspire teams to deliver high-quality services.

You will drive improvements, manage budgets, and maintain strong relationships with Home Office, emergency services, and senior leadership.

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 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

Responsibilities

• Lead one department within Campsfield IRC ensuring safe, respectful environments and compliant operations.
• Develop strategies to optimise efficiency, improve quality, and control costs while meeting standards.
• Maintain and update operational procedures; ensure staff are informed and equipped to perform roles.
• Provide coaching and development to teams and manage budgets within financial constraints.
• Act as Duty Director during critical times with confidence and professionalism.

Skills

Leadership experience

Team leadership

Budget management

Contract management

Education

Nebosh General Certificate

IOSH Managing Safely

Level 6 qualification (degree/apprenticeship or equivalent)

Job description

Head of Function

Location ***Note this role is onsite in Oxfordshire not Hybrid or WFH***

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

At Campsfield 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 Campsfield we have four departments namely Security & Operations, Residential Services, Activities and Safety and Business Assurance, 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

Essential:

• 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

Desirable:

• HMPPS Silver Commander
• Qualifications such as Nebosh (General Certificate) or IOSH Managing Safely.
• Level 6 qualification (degree, apprenticeship, or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.

Important Notes

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

Eligibility:

• 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.