Centre Director - Immigration Removal Centre (IRC)
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FULL DESCRIPTION
Centre Director - Immigration Removal Centre (IRC)
[Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] is seeking a Centre Director for its Heathrow Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) in Hounslow. The role involves leading operations, managing large teams, ensuring contractual compliance, and driving performance. On-site role with no hybrid/remote options.
Job Overview
We're looking an authentic leader with proven experience achieving operational excellence within a detention or custodial environment. This role would suit Governors/Directors or excellent Deputy Governors/Directors or similar. Someone who can create and embed a culture which recognises and respects individuals, celebrates diversity and is based on safety and security for everyone. You will provide leadership, coaching and support to staff in order to maximise the efficient and effective operation of the Centre, in line with contractual and budgetary requirements.
Main Duties
- Lead and coordinate multiple units within the Centre, ensuring resources—whether personnel, financial, or assets – are optimised to meet strategic objectives and standards.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and stakeholders, fostering long-term partnerships through effective communication.
- Monitor operational performance, manage financial forecasts, work-in-progress, and debt levels, and identify initiatives to enhance efficiency and service delivery.
- Develop, implement and monitor strategies that align with business goals and deliver key performance targets.
- Manage planning and budgeting processes, ensuring accuracy in financial forecasts, resource allocation, and timeline adherence.
- Establish best practices for resource management, personnel development and continuous process improvements.
What we are looking for
- Proven leadership experience within Immigration detention or custodial environments at a director level.
- Experience managing large teams (typically 200+ staff), including Heads of Function, with a focus on performance and development.
- Strong Operation Management experience in a similar role
- Strong commercial awareness and a clear understanding of contractual compliance.
- Demonstrable experience in budget management, particularly relating to operational staffing costs.
- Level 6 qualification such as a Degree Apprenticeship, Bachelor's Degree (BA/BSc), or equivalent professional qualification.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a British citizen, EU citizen with settled status, or hold Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) from a Commonwealth country.
- Resided in the UK for at least the past three years, with limited travel outside the UK.
- No significant criminal record, bankruptcy history, or adverse social media activity.
Benefits
[Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] offers a comprehensive benefits package including: virtual GP, Salary Finance, lifestyle benefits platform Choices (extra holiday, critical illness insurance, dental, technology), high street discounts via MiDeals, cycle-to-work scheme, life cover up to 4x salary, enhanced pension contributions, save-as-you-earn scheme, [Employer hidden] Matching Share Plan, and [Employer hidden] Stars recognition awards with cash prizes up to £10,000. [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] is committed to diversity and inclusion.
Additional Information
Please note that all employment offers are subject to security clearance and thorough background checks. Contact Karen Hayes at [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] for reasonable adjustments. Since 1987, [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]’s 80,000 employees have been maintaining companies globally. [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] is the UK’s leading facilities management and professional services company. Join our [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] Team.