A message from Michael Spurr, Chief Operating Officer

Thank you for your interest in these key posts.

This is an exciting time for our new Agency as we transform our operating model by empowering local delivery through the leadership of a new team of regional Directors of Offender Management. Directors of Offender Management will be responsible for enabling and delivering local solutions to the national challenge of reducing re-offending and protecting the public through the work of the probation and prison services. 

About the National Offender Management Service

A key agency within the Ministry of Justice, the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) was created on 1 April this year, joining up the work of HM Prison Service and the Probation Service. Leading this work in your region as the Director of Offender Management, you will operate through providers and partners in the public, private and third sectors to manage offenders in an integrated way. Our work protects victims, reduces re-offending and makes communities safer.  What work needs to be done and who does the work is based on evidence and driven by ensuring value for money, and as the Director of Offender Management you will be responsible for these decisions and the outcomes they drive in your region. 

NOMS has a very clear and compelling purpose - we work to protect the public and reduce re-offending by delivering the punishment and orders of the courts and by helping offenders to reform their lives. As part of the wider justice service, we strive to give the public confidence in our ability to protect the public and reduce re-offending. As Chief Operating Officer for NOMS, this purpose and vision inspires me and I hope it will inspire you to think seriously about this challenging leadership role and the contribution that you could make.

The Director of Offender Management Roles

The Director of Offender Management roles have been created to improve services regionally and locally, including through effective partnerships with a wide range of organisations and contractors including Health, Local Authorities, Learning and Skills Councils and Job Centre Plus. This focus on effective commissioning and partnership working will empower local areas to match the right services to their individual needs. 

The scale and impact of these roles is vast. Whilst working within a national framework, as the Director of Offender Management you will lead on all of the work that NOMS delivers in your region within the context of an overall £3.4 billion budget delegated to these nine regions. Whilst there are local variations between budgets and workforce numbers, there are significant challenges to be faced across every region, and within them a multitude of complex local needs.

The Agency is also required to deliver large scale efficiencies and cost savings through new commissioning arrangements. 25% of services are currently delivered by the private sector and it is anticipated that this mixed economy of public and private sector contracts will continue to develop.

To be successful in this role, you will deliver a 10% reduction in re-offending within three years and realise substantial efficiency savings within your region. You will need to be a strong leader both operationally and strategically with the ability to develop effective partnerships to achieve the Agency’s aims; you will have the ability to adapt your style to engage, inspire and motivate all those involved in reducing re-offending; and you will need to have a significant track record of innovation and working across boundaries.

You will also will need to respond to a unique set of challenges within each region whilst also contributing to the overall leadership of the Agency, and understand the diverse needs and backgrounds of victims and offenders. Our ambition is to build a leadership and management team at all levels of the Agency that understands and reflects this.

If you feel that your skills set meet our requirements and are inspired by our purpose and vision, please contact Mark Turner, Julia St Clare or Penny Ransley (020 7426 3967) at our advising consultants GatenbySanderson for a discussion in confidence.

MICHAEL SPURR
Chief Operating Officer
National Offender Management Service

We are an equal opportunities employer. Women and members of the ethnic minorities are currently under-represented in senior Civil Service grades and applications from them will be particularly welcomed. All applications will be considered and appointments will be made on merit.