Deputy Director Derwentside Immigration Removal Centre, Consett, DH8 6QY Competitive salary plus company car or cash allowance, company bonus and private medical cover Permanent/ Full time 40 hours per week- (working 1 in 3 weekend on call) Derwentside Immigration Removal Centre is a fully contained residential facility dedicated to housing adult women. We pride ourselves on delivering care with decency and respect, ensuring that every aspect of our service reflects these values. Through continuous innovation, we strive to improve and develop the experience for our residents. Since September 2023, Derwentside has been managed by Serco, a global leader in delivering essential public services. Serco works in partnership with governments and organisations worldwide to enhance the quality and efficiency of services in critical sectors such as health, education, transport, science, and defence. At Derwentside, we deliver services on behalf of Home Office Immigration Enforcement (HOIE). We are now seeking a Deputy Director to play a pivotal role in leading and shaping the future of our centre. This is an exciting opportunity to take operational and line management responsibility for a major function—whether Residential, Security, Operations, Governance & Services, or Safeguarding & Activities—while ensuring the effective performance of these key areas. You will support the Contract Operations Director in setting strategic direction, driving business planning, and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations. In their absence, you will deputise and lead the centre with confidence and integrity. Main accountabilities: To be a key influencing figure in the Senior Management Team of Derwentside IRC to ensure the Strategic and Business Planning process is maintained and contributed to; to identify risks and consequences of changing strategies, policies and procedures with regard to the contract · To develop, agree and manage departmental area annual budgets and monthly accounts as cost effectively as possible contributing to the efficiency of the contract, division and wider business. To achieve targets for organic growth contributing to successful business development. Ensure that Directors Rules, Post Orders and the Local Security Strategy are completed and/or reviewed by the responsible senior manager whenever there is a change or at least annually as part of a regular review process. To encourage and develop a training and development culture and strategy in line with business requirements, ensuring staff are competent in their roles and developed in line with business and individual objectives. To prepare and submit accurate and timely reports as required by the Director. To represent the contract at both internal and external meetings, ensuring the professionalism of the contract is maintained. Maintain effective relations with the customer and external organisations and key individual local stakeholders as required. · Ensure that every member of staff has an accurate Success Profile and a MyCatchUp document opened for them annually setting out achievable and realistic objectives. Ensure that all areas of responsibility comply and meet all Health and Safety regulations. Ensure that all areas for which you have managerial responsibility have appropriate Health and Safety risk assessments, safe systems of work, COSHH, fire drills and all other safety regulations are met and that they are reviewed at least annually. Champion a culture where everyone is respected and valued, regardless of background. Ensure fair and inclusive practices in recruitment, development, and daily operations, and promote collaboration within a diverse workforce in line with Serco’s values. What you’ll need to do the role: Educated to degree level or equivalent (CMI qualification advantageous). Assistant Director Level or equivalent experience, in a custodial/ Immigration environment. Trained in the Management of Serious Incidents Experience of managing large multi-disciplinary teams at a Senior Management level. Previous experience of working within an ethnically diverse organisation. Knowledge of Contract structures and experience of contributing to the processes of strategic and business planning at a high level. The ability to think creatively and solve problems in a systematic manner. · Strong interpersonal and communication skills and an ability to liaise and negotiate at all levels. · Knowledge of modern business practices, issues and trends, together with knowledge of legislative provisions and standards applicable to a commercial environment. What we offer: Company car or cash equivalent Company bonus Private Medical cover Competitive salaries with annual reviews Pension: Up to 6% contributory pension scheme Holidays: 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays Training and development: We offer a wide range of learning opportunities with over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships, mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression Wellbeing: 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, BUPA Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, Simplyhealth cash plans to claim back money towards healthcare costs, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres Discounts: Save across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel Employee networks: Dedicated networks where colleagues can come together to find support, share challenges, discuss ideas, network and be part of a community Charity: Support a charity or organisation with a paid volunteering day each year. You can also choose to donate to your favourite charity tax-free, through our Payroll Giving Scheme About Serco 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, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone. By joining Serco you will have unlimited access to our Global Employee Networks – SercoInspire (Gender), SercoEmbrace (Multicultural), SercoUnlimited (Disability) and In@Serco (LGBT & Networks). Serco Employee Networks, led by colleagues who are passionate about diversity, inclusion and belonging. 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 Leader employers and holder 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 j&icareersUK@serco.com. 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 j&icareersUK@serco.com to discuss.