Team Leader, Recall Policy in Youth Justice and Offender Management Directorate

Eligibility & EEO

This vacancy is only available to existing Civil Servant employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). Please review the “Eligibility” section before you apply.

National salary range: £58,511 - £65,329. London salary range: £63,343 - £70,725. Salary depends on your base location.

Working pattern:
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working.

Post type:
Permanent. Grade: 7.

Locations: 102 Petty France, London and 5 Wellington Place, Leeds. Occasional travel between the two may be required.

Region:
London, Yorkshire and the Humber.

Reserve list: 12 months.

Job .

Within this context, we are seeking a motivated and capable policy professional to join a welcoming and supportive team, providing additional leadership and delivery capacity to support this high‑profile portfolio. This is a fast‑paced, intellectually demanding role that will support the team in meeting significant delivery pressures and making meaningful contributions to the department’s response to the prison capacity challenge.

The team operates at the centre of a complex and sensitive policy area, receiving wide interest from senior officials and ministers. You will help set direction across a demanding portfolio, maintain focus on priority issues, and ensure high‑quality advice and products are delivered at pace.

You will work closely with a wide range of stakeholders, building and sustaining strong relationships with special advisers, legal, analytical, and operational colleagues, and influencing effectively beyond the immediate team.

Expect to develop quickly in a rapidly evolving policy area, take a strategic view of emerging risks and opportunities, and make effective decisions in uncertainty. You will be expected to work flexibly to respond to shifting priorities and provide leadership across the Prison Demand and Release Policy where required.

Initially, you will work closely with HMPPS on improving the recall process for female offenders and understanding the drivers of regional variation in recall rates, both linked to key ministerial priorities.

• Self‑starter, comfortable creating a programme of work, identifying milestones and delivering against the plan.
• Strong collaborative skills, able to quickly build robust relationships with colleagues in HMPPS, legal, analytical and policy teams, creating a “one team” dynamic.
• Excellent analytical skills, able to quickly grasp complex policy areas and distil key points for Ministers.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, confidently brief senior colleagues and produce high‑quality written reports.
• Experience working on criminal‑justice or related issues.

Baseline Personnal Security Standard (BPSS) security check required.