Service Manager - Drug Strategy Lead - HMP Millsike
Location: East Riding of Yorkshire
Salary: from £40,000 with negotiation for excellent candidates
Vacancy Type: Permanent
Advertising End Date: 10 Feb 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.
To apply, please submit:
A CV that not only outlines your work history, but clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience align with the requirements of this role
A covering letter (maximum 1,500 words) setting out how you meet the skills, experience, and knowledge described in the Job Description
HMP Millsike is in a rural location; therefore, access to a car is preferred.
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.