Red Snapper Recruitment | Justice
Head of Operations
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Head of Operations
Head of Connections – HMP Millsike, Full Sutton, York
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Location & Contract
- Location: HMP Millsike, Full Sutton, York
- Salary: £52,000 - £65,000 per annum (depending on experience)
- Contract: Permanent | Full Time
- Working Pattern: Full-time, on-site
Role Overview
Lead Change. Shape Culture. Transform Lives.
The Forward Trust, in partnership with Mitie, seeks an exceptional senior leader to join the Senior Leadership Team at HMP Millsike—one of the UK’s newest privately operated prisons.
This is a rare opportunity to lead a flagship role where you’ll have the autonomy and influence to shape services that genuinely change lives.
As Head of Connections, you’ll lead a holistic rehabilitation model focused on:
- Family relationships
- Recovery
- Substance misuse
- Community reintegration
This will reduce reoffending and support long-term desistance.
This isn’t for someone who satisfies the status quo. It’s for an experienced prison leader who can drive improvement and lead meaningful operational change.
About HMP Millsike
HMP Millsike is a newly opened, privately operated prison managed by Mitie in partnership with The Forward Trust. Since launching just over a year ago, the prison is now entering an important development phase, offering an exciting opportunity to influence how services evolve.
As a member of the Prison Senior Leadership Team, you will help shape:
- Establishment culture
- Operational performance
- Rehabilitation strategy
About the Role
Reporting to the Executive Director of Criminal Justice, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across the Connections Service, overseeing:
- Family and Relationships Services
- Drug Strategy
- Visits and Visitor Services
- More Than My Past rehabilitation programme
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You’ll collaborate across the prison to ensure seamless integration of these services, delivering measurable outcomes for:
- Prisoners
- Families
- The wider community
This role requires equal comfort with strategy, operational delivery, and partnership development.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the prison’s Connections service as a member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Develop and deliver the prison’s rehabilitation and recovery strategy
- Lead operational improvement in:
- Family services
- Substance misuse
- Rehabilitation programmes
- Build and develop a high-performing leadership team
- Drive innovation and continuous improvement
- Manage budgets, contracts, and performance reporting
- Build strong relationships with:
- Prison leadership
- Partners
- External stakeholders
- Ensure services meet:
- Contractual requirements
- Inspection standards
- Governance frameworks
- Champion evidence-based rehabilitation and desistance approaches
Requirements & Suitability
Essential Criteria
- You’ll ideally have:
- Significant leadership experience within the HM Prison Service or privately operated prisons
- Experience as Head of Function or equivalent senior operational leadership
- A strong background in prison operational management
- Leadership of complex multidisciplinary services
- Excellent stakeholder management skills
- Ability to manage budgets and contractual performance
- Proven ability to lead:
- Organisational change
- Service improvement
- Outstanding:
- Communication skills
- Leadership skills
- A genuine passion for rehabilitation and reducing reoffending
Consoles Under Consideration
Applications are welcomed from candidates with:
- Senior prison leadership experience combined with:
- Community rehabilitation
- Criminal justice service management
- Operational prison leadership with experience in:
- Rehabilitation
- Recovery
- Related community-based services
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Why Join?
This is far more than a management role.
You’ll contribute to the shaping of one of the UK’s newest prisons, influence its culture, and leave a legacy through improved outcomes for prisoners, families, and communities.
You’ll join an ambitious Senior Leadership Team committed to:
- Innovation
- Partnership working
- Delivering outstanding rehabilitation services
Salary & Benefits
- Salary: £52,000 - £65,000 per annum
- Permanent, full-time position
- On-site role based at HMP Millsike, York
- Strategic influence as part of a Senior Leadership Team
- Unique opportunity to shape services in a new custodial environment
Recruitment Process
- Closing Date: 26th July
- Process: Competency and scenario-based assessments during interview
Security Clearance
- The successful candidate must obtain HMPPS Enhanced Level 1 Vetting
- Existing prison vetting may transfer if approved
Application Requirements
- Tailor your CV to demonstrate alignment with essential criteria
- Provide a tailored cover letter addressing:
- Key competencies
- Personal motivation
- Reason for applying to lead rehabilitation services at this unique prison
Follow-Up Guidance
If you haven’t heard from us within 7 working days, your application has been unsuccessful.
Refer a Friend Scheme
If the role isn’t right for you but you know someone who could be suited, please refer them. We offer:
- A "Refer A Friend" bonus scheme
- Retail gift vouchers for successful placements (for candidates not already known to us)
Disclaimer
Red Snapper Recruitment is a member of the Red Snapper Group.
The Red Snapper Group acts as an employment agency (permanent) and employment business (temporary) – a free and confidential service for candidates.
The Red Snapper Recruitment Group is an equal opportunities employer.
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