About the Role:

Our client is seeking an experienced and commercially minded Head of Justice to lead the strategic development, operational delivery and growth of its prison education provision.

The Head of Justice will oversee prison education contracts, ensuring high-quality curriculum delivery, contractual compliance and strong performance against Ministry of Justice (MoJ) requirements. You will lead multi-site teams, manage budgets, drive business development and build key stakeholder relationships, ensuring education provision supports rehabilitation, employability and positive learner outcomes.

Essential Requirements as Head of Justice:

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.
• Proven senior leadership experience in prison education, adult education or the justice sector.
• Experience managing multi-site teams, complex contracts and operational delivery.
• Strong understanding of prison education, offender learning needs and secure environments.
• Knowledge of Ofsted EIF, safeguarding, Prevent, British Values and MoJ contractual requirements.
• Demonstrable experience in contract compliance, KPI management, quality assurance and performance improvement.
• Proven ability to develop successful bids, tenders and commercial proposals.
• Experience managing budgets, resources and operational costs.
• Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical, organisational and commercial capabilities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement the Prison Education Strategy, aligned with MoJ priorities and prison establishment needs.
• Lead curriculum planning, development and innovation to meet learner and contractual requirements.
• Oversee prison education contracts, ensuring compliance with MoJ, Ofsted EIF and Awarding Organisation standards.
• Manage and develop multi-site teams, including recruitment, performance management and professional development.
• Monitor contractual KPIs, learner achievement, attendance, engagement and progression.
• Lead quality assurance, audits, reporting and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Prepare and lead bids, tenders and commercial proposals to support business growth.
• Manage contract budgets, staffing costs and operational expenditure, ensuring financial efficiency.
• Source and manage third-party education providers and specialist curriculum partners.
• Build effective relationships with prison governors, MoJ representatives and external stakeholders.

Desirable Requirements:

• Teaching qualification (AET, CET, DET or PGCE).
• Assessor/IQA qualification (CAVA/TAQA or IQA).
• Leadership or management qualification (ILM/CMI).
• Experience working directly with prison establishments, governors or MoJ contract managers.
• Experience managing third-party providers and developing specialist curriculum provision.

Personal Attributes & Additional Requirements as Head of Justice:

• A credible, confident and resilient leader with a commitment to rehabilitation and learner success.
• Collaborative, adaptable and commercially focused, with the ability to lead in challenging environments.
• Willingness to travel regionally and nationally.
• Ability to undertake enhanced vetting and security clearance.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.

Paul Feldman is the National Skills Agency Data Protection Officer. Your data will be stored until notice is given by you for it to be removed. Our Data Protection Policy will be forwarded to you on request. As we get a high number of applications we may be unable to give feedback to unsuccessful candidates. We will retain your details to  keep you informed of other opportunities. National Skills Agency Ltd is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy and is an Equal Opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.