Regional Probation Director - Job Description

Vacancy Description

These roles are responsible for providing strategic leadership for the probation system in either Yorkshire and the Humber or the South West, two of the 12 probation regions in England and Wales. Post holders will manage operational leaders in the probation service and oversee contracts with private and voluntary sector providers to ensure operations run smoothly, meet performance targets, drive improvement, achieve optimal outcomes for offenders, and protect victims and the public.

The Regional Probation Directors will manage around 1600 probation staff in the South West or 2300 in Yorkshire and the Humber. They will oversee budgets of approximately £94 million for the South West or £133 million for Yorkshire and the Humber.

They will provide senior leadership within their region, motivating staff, engaging teams, and building capability to achieve strategic objectives and enhance probation services. They will promote an inclusive and positive culture, as well as a culture of continuous improvement and effective change management. They will set regional strategies considering different priorities and using evidence on effectiveness and local needs to inform delivery.

The post holders will be part of Area Executive Directorates which include probation, prisons and key business partners. They will work closely with prisons in their region, and with partners across their Area and will lead on some cross cutting Area priorities to protect the public and reduce reoffending.  They will represent the probation system and HMPPS externally, building confidence in offender management and ensuring HMPPS has a unified, influential voice.

The post holders will establish strong relationships with strategic partners such as Police and Crime Commissioners, Local Criminal Justice Boards, and commissioners of health services, promoting effective partnerships among public, private, and voluntary sector providers. They will work with Criminal Justice partners across the region, participating in partnership forums with key delivery partners and local stakeholders, including Regional Co-commissioning meetings with PCCs, to achieve strategic alignment, find common solutions to mutual problems, reduce barriers, and promote cooperation through innovative approaches.

The post holders will seek opportunities for efficient regional commissioning of services, including co-commissioning with regional and local partners and use of the Regional Outcomes Fund, to improve results for offenders and meet local needs, ensuring rehabilitation efforts are optimised through strategic partnerships and resource allocation.

The post holders will collaborate as part of their Director’s senior team to contribute to the overall strategy for Probation within HMPPS and the delivery of agency priorities. They will collaborate with colleagues across HMPPS, the wider Ministry of Justice, other departments, and agencies to drive an integrated system for Offender Management, maintaining awareness of the political context.

The post holder will oversee regional contracts to deliver service outcomes and value for money, ensuring there are appropriate levels of contract assurance, addressing service quality and contract compliance issues, and applying contract remedies and improvement processes when necessary.

The post holder will have a corporate responsibility to lead nationally on aspects of strategy, specific service specifications, or particular cohorts of the offender population, providing professional support and advice to the Chief Probation Officer.