HQ Job Description (JD)
Band 12
Directorate - Generic
Job Description - Group Director HMPPS
Document Ref.
HQ-JES-2750 Group Director HMPPS
Document Type
Management
Version
2.0
Classification
Official
Date of Issue
12 May 2021
Status
Baselined
Produced by
Job Evaluation Assurance and Support Team
Authorised by
Reward Team
JD Evidence
HQ-JES-2750 Group Director HMPPS v2.0
Job Description
Job Title
Group Director HMPPS
Directorate
Generic
Band
12
Overview of the job
These Group Director roles are new, senior roles critical to stability and delivery
across HMPPS in England and Wales.
Group Directors will be responsible for the delivery and strategic development of
the Area in their command.
This is an exciting and challenging opportunity to ensure the successful and safe
delivery of objectives across HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
HMPPS is responsible for running prisons and probation services across England and
Wales with over 42,000 directly employed staff and contractors and a wide range of
private and third sector partners.
Like all organisations we are constantly seeking to be more effective and efficient,
improving performance and ‘working smarter’. This is a fantastic opportunity for
the right people to drive innovation and change that can really make a positive
difference for our society.
Outstanding leaders with a strong track record of delivery in a challenging
environment, setting strategic direction and leading large and dispersed teams
across several business units, and manage a large delegated budget.
A dynamic, challenging and rewarding role where your contribution will make a real
difference.
Reporting to an Executive Director.
Summary
The post holders will work collegiately as part of their Executive Director’s senior
team. They will work together to manage competing pressures and risks in order to
maintain delivery of service and Ministerial confidence, as well as contributing to the
overall strategy within HMPPS.
Post holders will drive the performance improvement of key organisational
objectives, through supporting, coaching and developing senior management teams.
They will promote a leadership culture which is rehabilitative to deliver objectives
that realise the Secretary of State’s vision for prison safety and reform.
There is a strong partnership working element to this role, in working across the
HMPPS, the wider Ministry of Justice, and with other services, agencies and third
sector providers, to build and maintain effective ‘joined-up’ services for the public.
This includes integrated services across custody and community and effective
working between public and private sectors.
Post holders will have strong leadership and people management skills with the
ability to influence, drive change and improve results whilst engaging and
empowering our people. They will also have strong analytical and financial skills.
Post holders will need to contribute to effective relationships within HMPPS and
with other senior colleagues across the Department, with a need to demonstrate
political awareness at all times.
This is a senior management post with line management responsibilities.
HQ-JES-2750 Group Director HMPPS v2.0
Responsibilities,
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities
Activities and Duties
and duties:
• Accountability for performance and use of resources across the
organisation for which they are responsible, ensuring that their area of
work is effectively delivering and driving improvement to meet the
expected outcomes, and holding Senior Leaders to account.
• Providing strong and effective change leadership, ensuring in particular the
effective implementation of programmes which support a rehabilitative
culture and lead to improved organisational performance.
• Ensuring that areas for which they are responsible are meeting delivery
requirements, complying with national policy and progressing strategic
priorities.
• Supporting and coaching senior leaders to ensure that they have the skills
and knowledge to run safe, decent, secure and rehabilitative prisons and to
manage their staff effectively; and improve staff engagement and
demonstrate commitment to equality and inclusion through their
leadership.
• Working effectively in collaboration within their Group Directorate/Group,
and as part of the wider HMPPS structures, to effectively deploy resources;
share best practice to ensure stability across the system and improve
progression; create a learning culture; and deliver the Group Directorate’s
objectives.
• Developing strategic relationships with key partners and stakeholders
across MoJ, Government and other agencies and services, particularly
relevant community partners, to ensure our business and strategic
objectives are achieved.
• Maintaining a broad and thorough understanding of the HMPPS’s business,
including Ministerial priorities, with particular focus on ensuring that policy
and reform are effectively delivered at local levels.
• Ensuring effective financial management to operate within the allocated
budget and with financial propriety. Seeking appropriate sources of funding
to support joint interest work with our strategic partners.
• Promoting continuous professional development and professional skills
across HMPPS, MOJ and the wider Civil Service.
• Champion engagement, equality and inclusion through leadership of their
Group Directorate/Group.
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
• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
Strengths
It is advised strengths are chosen locally, recommended 4-8.
Essential Experience
• A proven track record of experience in a challenging environment/system,
working effectively in this complex and high-pressured environment.
• A proven record of leadership, inspiring staff, successfully engaging senior
leaders, leading change and performance improvement and building
capability to deliver business objectives.
HQ-JES-2750 Group Director HMPPS v2.0
• Evidence of strategic thinking and effective problem solving, developing
innovative delivery options that meet strategic objectives whilst being
rooted in an understanding of financial and implementation practicalities.
• Evidence of building strong and effective partnerships, across Government
and with other parts of the public sector, operational partners and external
stakeholders to advance business objectives.
Technical
Requirements
Ability
• Analytical Skills
• Verbal and Written Communication Skills
Minimum 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
(Unsocial Hours)
Allowances
HQ-JES-2750 Group Director HMPPS v2.0