Service Manager Drug Strategy Lead

Position: Service Manager Drug Strategy Lead (Permanent)
Location: Full Sutton

Service Manager - Drug Strategy Lead - HMP Millsike

Location:

East Riding of Yorkshire
Salary: from £40,000 with negotiation for excellent candidates
Vacancy Type:
Permanent
Closing Date: 26 Mar 2026
About

The Role
This is a brand-new role for Forward Trust and a genuine opportunity to do something different.
As Drug Strategy Manager at HMP Millsike, you will lead the development and delivery of a truly recovery-orientated, whole-prison approach to supply reduction, demand reduction, and harm reduction, driving long-term, transformational change and meaningful recovery outcomes for prisoners.
This role combines strategic ownership with hands-on leadership, including responsibility for the establishment Drug Strategy, the Incentivised Substance Free Living (ISFL) Unit, and a team of Recovery Navigators.
Who This Role Is For
This role is for an experienced confident manager who can:

* Influence, challenge, and lead across multiple stakeholders and disciplines

* Bring energy, credibility, and passion for recovery into everything they do

* Thrive in complex environments and enjoy shaping something new

* Demonstrate commitment to recovery that underpins your leadership style and drives excellence in practice.
What Makes This Role Different
You’ll be encouraged to bring professional curiosity to the role, continually exploring:

* Emerging research, interventions, and technologies

* Innovative approaches to reducing supply, demand, and harm

* Evidence from the field and translating it into realistic, deliverable practice at HMP Millsike.
About You
We’re looking for someone who:

* Has experience in managing recovery services and/or security within a custodial setting

* Brings strong people management experience

* Is confident navigating policy, governance, and compliance

* Enjoys a challenge and strives for recovery excellence

* Can build assured processes while keeping people and purpose at the centre
We’re keen to meet people with relevant experience, strong values, and genuine passion, including those who bring diverse professional backgrounds.
If you’re unsure whether you fully match the person specification, we’d still welcome a conversation to explore the role and answer your questions.
Role Details

* Full-time, permanent (35 Hours)

* Based at HMP Millsike

* Primarily Monday–Friday, with one weekend in four

* Flexibility required, including evenings, as the prison operates 7 days per week
Selection Process
The selection process will consist of an in-person presentation followed by a panel interview, both of which will take place onsite at HMP Millsike.
Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their strategic thinking, leadership capability, and alignment with a recovery-focused approach throughout the process.
HMP Millsike is in a rural location; therefore, access to a car is preferred.
Please see attached

Job Description for full details
All prison-based roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks and HMPPS security vetting. These checks can take up to 5 months to complete. Any offer of employment will be conditional upon the successful completion of both checks.
Please note if you have lived overseas within the last 5 years then checks may take longer.
About Us
We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community.
We are committed to our cause and the work we carry out as a charity. Equally the wellbeing and the employees who work for us are also important. Joining us an employee, we will offer you the following benefits
- * Flexible working

* Training and development opportunities

* Simply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)

* Season Ticket Loan Scheme

* Cycle to work scheme

* Crisis Loan Scheme

* Electric Car Scheme

* 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata'd for part time employees)

* Access to Blue Light Card

* 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays

* Contributory Pension Scheme – Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years’ service and up to 9% thereafter

* Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)

* Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Forward Trust, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application