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This vacancy is only available to existing Civil Servant employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). Please review the "Eligibility" section before you apply.

General Information

Salary
The national salary range is £88,444 - £97,288, London salary range is £91,458 - £102,329. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
Cross Government
Location
National
Region
National
Closing Date
11-May-2026
Business Unit
Director of Rehabilitation Services
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
Other
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
17123

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

HMPPS Band 11

Overview of the job

The Chief Executive will lead and set the strategic direction for the New Futures Network (NFN), taking key decisions about its priorities and ways of working. Encouraging innovation to satisfy the needs of employers and measurably improving employment outcomes for prisoners on release in England and Wales.

The Chief Executive will be the externally facing ambassador for the NFN, attending business functions, speaking at key events and engaging with employment sector and industry bodies, large scale employers, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Third Sector organisations.

The Chief Executive will hold ultimate accountability for the performance of NFN and increasing employment of prisoners on release. The post holder will have line management responsibility for the National NFN ‘hub’ (of around 25 people of HMPPS Senior Manager and Manager bands) and management responsibility for the NFN Employment Brokers. It also has line management responsibility for the Creating Future Opportunities Team. The post holder will report directly to the HMPPS Deputy Director, Employment, Skills and Education who in turn reports directly to the HMPPS Executive Director, Reducing Reoffending Partnerships & Change Directorate.

The post can be based out of MoJ Offices across England and Wales.

This is a non-operational post that does not attract RHA.

Summary

The New Futures Network (NFN) is a national network, created to increase the number of prisoners in employment on release and working productively while in custody in England and Wales.

The Chief Executive will lead NFN to create and grow partnerships between employers and prisons by:

  • Targeting employment sector bodies and large and small employers to promote the benefits of employing ex-prisoners on release.
  • Building partnerships between employers and prisons, linking the work prisoners do in custody with jobs on release.
  • Identifying and feeding back messages from employers about the training and development that prisoners will need.

The Chief Executive will set the strategic direction and strategy for NFN and will identify and engage key sectors for prisons to work with, based on labour market information and the ability of prisons to train prisoners to work in these industries. They will also oversee communications and marketing of the NFN.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties: The post holder will be accountable for the New Futures Network delivering real employment opportunities for prisoners by:

  • Leading NFN, including setting its strategic direction and its performance against Key Performance Indicators including employment on release and work in prisons. 
  • Actively promoting the aims, work and initiatives of NFN by engaging with: key sector bodies and influencers, large scale employers and businesses, Other Government Departments and Third Sector organisations at the most senior levels.
  • Building and growing networks of stakeholders to support the core vision and work of the NFN.
  • Leading a geographically dispersed team performing diverse and specialist roles from business development with the public and private sectors, to data analysis, knowledge management, contract management, communications/marketing and policy work.
  • Being overall accountable for all NFN finances and budget management, working with the funding arrangements agreed by HMPPS. This will include liaising closely, where necessary, with colleagues in HMPPS finance to manage significant resource and capital budget allocations.
  • Assuring HMPPS that relationships and work performed is done so in line with relevant policy and procedures.
  • Working effectively with Senior Civil Servants and command the confidence of Ministers.
  • Contributing to the overall effectiveness of policy, through feeding back key policy lessons emerging from the work of NFN.
  • Leading effective governance structures including chairing the advisory board of external commercial sector champions appointed to champion and steer NFN.
  • Leading the operational relationship with DWP • Leadership of the Creating Future Opportunities Team and related contract mgt, strategy and contribution to employment actions.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.

Behaviours

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

  • Changing and Improving - Application and Interview
  • Communicating and Influencing -Application and Interview
  •  Leadership (Lead) - Application and Interview
  • Managing a Quality Service - Application and Interview

CV of no more than 2 pages - Application.

Experience

  • Essential experience of leading an organisation and setting and delivering against strategy within a high profile context.
  • Experience of leading change.
  • Resilience and ability to manage significant levels of pressure.
  • Desirable understanding of the way the Civil Service works.
  • Essential requirement to be a proven excellent communicator, capable of building productive personal relationships and communicating effectively to a wider audience.

Ability

  • Expert written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
  • Strong team building and networking skills.
  • Essential ability to command the confidence of Ministers, Senior Officials, sector bodies and employers. 

 

Additional Information

In line with HMPSS policy, there is an expectation that you are 60% office based.

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS’ Flexible Working policy.

If you are a current NPS employee, this vacancy may be available on a Loan basis for up to 2 years. Applications are invited from suitable qualified staff.

The Loan/Secondment is subject to the approval of the selected candidate's Business Unit, which should be obtained before confirmation of appointment.

Benefits

Annual Leave

-The holiday year runs from 1 March. If you work a non standard work pattern your leave entitlement may be expressed in either hours or days as appropriate. Leave entitlement is calculated on a pro-rata basis and you will be advised of your actual entitlement on appointment. If you were appointed internally and your leave was previously calculated in days, this will continue to be the case.

Bank, Public and Privilege Holidays

-You are entitled to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays.

Pension

-The Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Work Life Balance

HM Prison & Probation Service  (HMPPS) is keen to encourage alternative working arrangements. Work life balance provides greater opportunities for staff to work more flexibly wherever managers and establishments can accommodate requests to do so. HMPPS offers flexible working subject to completion of a satisfactory probationary period and NVQ

Season Ticket Advance

-After two months’ service, you’ll be eligible to apply for a season ticket advance to purchase a quarterly or longer-period season ticket for travel between home and your place of work

Childcare Vouchers

For any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers

Training

HMPPS is committed to staff development and offers a range of training and development opportunities, including areas such as Equality and Diversity, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Suicide Prevention and Anti Bullying Programmes

-There are opportunities to access promotion programmes and HMPPS provides a variety of training appropriate to individual posts

-All staff receive security and diversity training and an individual induction programme into their new roles

Eligibility

-All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post

-All external candidates are subject to 6 months probation. Internal candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within HMPPS

-All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or organisation which the HMPPS considers to be racist

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals
  • nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
  • Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

Contact Information
For further information relating to this role, please contact: Mathuran.Muthuraja@justice.gov.uk or Sarah.Mcknight@justice.gov.uk

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference: 17123

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference: 17123

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Leadership, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Changing and Improving
Communicating and Influencing
Leadership
Managing a Quality Service
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
To Be Confirmed
Behaviours
Changing and Improving
Communicating and Influencing
Leadership
Managing a Quality Service
Strengths
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.
Level of security checks required
DBS Standard
Counter Terrorism Check (CTC)

Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.  Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.