Strategic Operations Lead – Probation Performance & Quality

Ministry of Justice; Barnsley; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave–25 days rising with years

Flexible working

Training and development opportunities

Pension: Local Government Pension

Family-friendly policies

Employee networks

Health and wellbeing support

Job summary

The Ministry of Justice invites applications for a Head of Complaints role within the National Probation Service. The post leads cluster operations, drives quality and performance, and represents the NPS in local partnerships. The role requires significant middle-management experience and strong governance skills.

The successful candidate will oversee complaint resolution, training needs analysis, and staff development within the cluster, with hybrid working and civil service responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Significant middle-management experience with staff supervision.
• Experience monitoring performance against targets and driving improvements.
• Budgetary control experience including procurement.
• Experience managing relationships with local agencies and stakeholders.
• Probation qualification or equivalent recognised by the Secretary of State for Justice.

Responsibilities

• Lead cluster operations on caseload segmentation issues (Child Sexual Exploitation, Guns and Gangs, Integrated Offender Management).
• Provide operational support to Head of Cluster within Probation Instruction rules.
• Develop and deploy the Cluster Training Needs Analysis.
• Ensure recruitment and induction of cluster staff.
• Act as cluster lead for performance and quality, audits and inspections.
• Oversee reviews and delivery of action plans (Domestic Homicides, Serious Case Reviews).
• Represent NPS in local strategic partnerships and wider frameworks.

Skills

Leadership

Making Effective Decisions

Working Together

Delivering at Pace

Communicating and Influencing

Managing a Quality Service

Changing and Improving

Education

Diploma in Probation Studies

Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option)

CQSW (with Probation Option)

Graduate Diploma/Honours Degree in Community Justice

Tools

Visor system

Job description

The Ministry of Justice invites applications for a Head of Complaints role within the National Probation Service. The post leads cluster operations, drives quality and performance, and represents the NPS in local partnerships. The role requires significant middle-management experience and strong governance skills.

The successful candidate will oversee complaint resolution, training needs analysis, and staff development within the cluster, with hybrid working and civil service responsibilities.