Competitive Salary + Company Car
At Serco, not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play, from caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services. We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential public services around the world in areas including defence, transport & community services, justice, immigration, healthcare, and citizen services. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone.
Serco is seeking an exceptional Contract Director to lead HMP Ashfield, a Category C adult male training prison housing 400 individuals convicted of sexual offences. This is a high-profile leadership role, responsible for ensuring the safe, secure, and effective operation of the prison while delivering rehabilitation-focused interventions that support reintegration into the community.
As Contract Director, you will provide strategic leadership, operational oversight, and commercial management, ensuring the prison meets all contractual, regulatory, and performance obligations. Holding the same authority as a public sector Governor in Charge, you will drive a purposeful, stable, and compliant custodial environment while fostering a culture of safety, professionalism, and rehabilitation.
This role carries significant responsibility, supporting business development/rebid activity, budgetary control, and stakeholder engagement, while ensuring HMP Ashfield operates with decency, integrity, and efficiency. You will lead a multi-disciplinary team, working in close collaboration with HMPPS, HM Inspectorate of Prisons, and other key agencies to uphold national prison standards and enhance service delivery.
What you'll need to do the role
1. A proven track record in prison management, having operated at Deputy Director/Governor level or above for a recognised, audited period.
2. Successful completion of the Serco Senior Contract Operations Director Assessment Centre or the STBIC or SOM JSAC national assessment (if previously employed by HMPPS).
3. A degree-level education (or qualified by experience).
4. Familiarity with Prison Policy Frameworks specific to the population managed.
5. Strong commercial and financial acumen, with experience managing contract performance, budgets, and commercial growth initiatives.
6. Experience in leading multi-disciplinary teams in a high-risk, regulated environment, with a focus on developing future leaders and fostering a values-driven culture.
7. A track record of driving operational excellence, implementing strategic change, and achieving key performance targets in a complex, stakeholder-driven setting.
8. The ability to engage with government bodies, regulatory authorities, and community stakeholders to influence policy and drive continuous improvement.
What we offer
1. Highly competitive leadership salary
2. Bonus potential up to 30%
3. Company car or car allowance
4. 10% contributory pension
5. 25 days holiday + bank holidays
6. A range of Serco company benefits
Apply
Please click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment.
At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. We operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly Disability Confident Leaders and holders of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview. For help with your application please contact 0345 010 4000.
At Serco, we support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the 'Ban the Box' pledge (some may be exempt due to the nature of the role and the security clearance required). Please contact our recruitment team directly on 0345 010 4000 to discuss.
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