Service Manager - Drug Strategy Lead

The Forward Trust; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading rehabilitation organization in the UK is seeking an experienced Drug Strategy Lead to oversee and implement a comprehensive prison drug strategy. This high-profile role requires working with senior leaders and various partners to ensure recovery and rehabilitation outcomes are achieved. The successful candidate will influence drug misuse reduction initiatives and work across multi-agency environments. An ideal candidate would have a strong background in strategic planning and operational delivery within the criminal justice system and substance misuse fields.

Benefits

Flexible working

Training and development opportunities

Simply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)

Cycle to work scheme

25 days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays

Qualifications

• Proven experience in strategic planning and operational delivery within criminal justice or substance misuse.
• Strong knowledge of national drug strategy frameworks and local application.
• Experience briefing senior stakeholders in a multi-agency context.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Drug Strategy aligned with HMPPS priorities.
• Drive initiatives that reduce drug misuse and build recovery.
• Coordinate activities with various internal teams.

Skills

Strategic planning

Operational delivery

Communication skills

Leadership

Multi-agency collaboration

Job description

Are you ready to lead real change in one of the prison service's most critical priority areas? We are looking for a driven, experienced Drug Strategy Lead to shape and deliver a whole-prison approach to reducing drug misuse, supporting recovery, and improving rehabilitation outcomes. This is a high-profile leadership role with real influence, working closely with the Governor, senior leaders, health partners and external agencies to turn national strategy into meaningful, on-the-ground impact.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver HMP Millsike's Drug Strategy, aligned with HMPPS priorities and the Forward Trust's rehabilitation mission
• Drive initiatives that reduce demand, build recovery, and minimise harm
• Act as the subject matter expert, advising senior leaders with evidence-based insight
• Oversee the ISFL, ensuring a safe, purposeful and recovery-focused environment
• Coordinate cross-prison activity with Security, Healthcare, Education, Psychology and Residential teams
• Use data and intelligence to target risk, measure impact and drive continuous improvement
• Build strong partnerships to support treatment, recovery and continuity of care pre- and post-release
• Champion a trauma-informed, person-centred, recovery-focused culture, This is a unique chance to shape strategy where it truly matters, turning policy into practice, supporting recovery, and making a lasting impact on lives, rehabilitation and public safety within a new and ambitious establishment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in strategic planning and operational delivery within criminal justice or substance misuse
• Strong knowledge of national drug strategy frameworks and how to apply them locally
• A confident leader and influencer, comfortable working across multi-agency environments
• Excellent communication skills, with experience briefing senior stakeholders
• Prison or secure-environment experience highly desirable

Benefits

• Flexible working
• Training and development opportunities
• Simply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)
• Season Ticket Loan Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Crisis Loan Scheme
• Electric Car Scheme
• 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata'd for part time employees)
• Access to Blue Light Card
• 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
• Contributory Pension Scheme - Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years' service and up to 9% thereafter
• Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
• Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)