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HQ Job Description (JD)
Band 11
Directorate: Change
Job Description: Head of Prison Supply Strategy
and Portfolio Operations
Document Ref.
HQ JES 3212 Head of Prison Supply Strategy and
Portfolio Operations v1.0
Document Type
Management
Version
1.0
Classification
Official
Date of Issue
18 May 2026
Status
Baselined
Produced by
Job Evaluation Assurance and Support Team
Authorised by
Reward Team
JD Evidence
OFFICIAL
HQ JES 3212 Head of Prison Supply Strategy and Portfolio Operations v1.0
OFFICIAL
Job Description
Job Title
Head of Prison Supply Strategy and Portfolio Operations
Directorate
Change
Band
11
Overview of the
The Change Directorate, providing Prison Capacity for HMPPS,
job
including the Prison Capacity Sub-Portfolio responsible for
overseeing the management and development of prison
facilities across the estate, consisting of New Prisons, Prison
Estate Expansion, Private Prisons Contract Expiry and Transfer,
Accelerated Houseblock Delivery Programme (ADHP), Small
Secure Houseblocks and Rapid Deployment Cells Programme
(RDCP), as well as the Long-Term Estates strategy and
pipeline.
Creating a reformed estate for male and female population in
prisons, that is less crowded, better organised, more effective
and comprises modern, fit for purpose accommodation that
meet the specific needs and risks of different prisoner groups.
This is a critical role as the post holder will lead on the strategic
approach to delivering against the Government prison place
commitment, while also providing strategic leadership on wider
prison builds.
This is a non-operational role, with line management
responsibility.
Summary
The post holder will work to the Executive Director for Change
Directorate and will be a member of the Directorate Senior
Leadership team.
This senior post holder will be accountable for the leadership
vision, and performance of the Prison Capacity Sub-Portfolio.
Providing strategic direction for the management and
development of prison facilities across the estate, ensuring that
the portfolio delivers modern, fit for purpose accommodation
aligned with Government priorities and the needs of diverse
prisoner groups, overseeing the delivery and implementation of
an internal estate strategy for HMPPS, that considers the future
of the prison and probation estates.
The post holder will lead multiple central teams, with both direct
and indirect responsibilities for a geographically dispersed
workforce.
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HQ JES 3212 Head of Prison Supply Strategy and Portfolio Operations v1.0
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Responsibilities,
The job holder will be required to carry out the following
Activities and
responsibilities, activities and duties:
Duties
• Through expert translation of evidence and the
development of long-term strategies, the post holder will
set the direction for prison building programmes and the
operational function of the directorate, ensuring that
objectives are evidence-based and responsive to the
iterative development of the Estates and Infrastructure
Strategy.
• Overseeing a large portfolio spanning multiple
programmes with national impact on prison capacity and
rehabilitation outcomes
• Responsible for the strategic direction and transformation
of the Change Directorate, shaping long-term policy and
delivery models that influence national prison
infrastructure and operations
• Representing the Directorate at senior forums and
decision-making bodies, and providing leadership across
a range of strategic and operational matters
• Lead engagement with senior stakeholders and create
and maintain constructive links with key cross partners
across HMPPS, MoJ, HMT, No10.
• Lead on organisational capability strategy and Provide
assurance to the Executive Director on delivery
confidence of the Portfolio.
• Manage Portfolio capital investment budget including
leading on SR for directorate.
• Lead strategic stakeholder engagement across a large
and complex organisation, providing direction and
oversight in the development and implementation of
communications plans.
• Actively support programme teams in unlocking
challenges internally and externally, particularly on areas
that require cross-government collaboration
• Accountable for high-level decision-making on investment
prioritisation, risk mitigation, and strategic alignment
across government departments, including leading on the
strategic direction of the ICF’s contribution to the HLT risk
register
• The post holder will provide assurance to the Senior
Sponsor on the delivery of a large number of projects and
act as a key advisor on the strategic approach for future
delivery and the operational function of the Prison Supply
Directorate.
• Provide senior leadership and oversight of the
operational activity of 3 multi-disciplinary central teams
overseeing the strategic, corporate and assurance
objectives of the directorate
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
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HQ JES 3212 Head of Prison Supply Strategy and Portfolio Operations v1.0
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adjustments may require re-examination under the Job
Evaluation scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance
with the Job Holder.
An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence
through the medium of English or Welsh.
Civil Service Success Profile Criteria
Behaviours
Note: We recommend you choose up to 6 behaviours.
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
Strengths
Note: we recommend you choose 4 to 8 strengths locally - select
from the list of Civil Service strength definitions on the intranet.
Experience
• Demonstrates strong strategic leadership through
managing high-profile portfolios and shaping cross-
government policy on behalf of HMPPS.
• Effectively translates complex policy into clear strategic
direction and communicates priorities to senior
stakeholders, Ministers, and partners.
• Extensive experience working with central government
departments and operating as a senior stakeholder in
complex, high-profile initiatives.
• Uses sound judgement and advanced influencing skills to
represent HMPPS effectively at the highest levels.
• Experience in building collaborative relationships that
leverage the expertise of others to deliver shared
outcomes.
• Proven ability to influence and engage across diverse
teams and stakeholders to drive progress and innovation.
• A level of project delivery expertise, ideally focused on
department and cross government governance, financial
controls and tolerances.
Technical
Requirements
Ability
• Strong relationship management skills are required as the
post holder deals with senior stakeholders, work stream
leads and senior executives from other departments and
organisations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to manage work stream
relationships, private prison senior leaders and other
senior stakeholders.
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HQ JES 3212 Head of Prison Supply Strategy and Portfolio Operations v1.0
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• Negotiation skills to ensure the best outcomes are
achieved for HMPPS and prison places are brought online.
Minimum
Please do not alter this box
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 HMPPS consider to be racist.
Hours of Work
37 hour working week
(Unsocial Hours)
Allowances
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HQ JES 3212 Head of Prison Supply Strategy and Portfolio Operations v1.0