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Band 3: Permanent, Full-time
We are seeking an experienced and driven Assistant Director to join the leadership team at Derwentside Immigration Removal Centre (IRC). In this critical role, you will report to the Deputy Director in leading a key operational function within the centre, ensuring the delivery of high standards of care, safety, and compliance in a secure and politically sensitive environment.
You will lead, motivate, and manage a multidisciplinary team to deliver contractual obligations, drive performance, and uphold the principles of Positive Detention Culture. Working both on site and in an office environment, you'll also build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and the customer (Home Office), acting as a role model for professional and ethical standards.
This is a challenging yet rewarding leadership opportunity for someone with a strong background in custodial or secure settings and a passion for people management, operational excellence, and ethical service delivery.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and manage assigned departments to deliver high-quality services within contractual KPIs.
* Act as Duty Director and Silver Commander during serious incidents, including out-of-hours on-call responsibilities.
* Drive staff engagement, support business change initiatives, and reduce absenteeism.
* Ensure compliance with Serco policies, Home Office standards, and regulatory requirements.
* Monitor performance and report against operational and financial targets.
* Support training, development, and succession planning across your teams.
* Maintain a safe, secure, and respectful environment for detainees, staff, and other stakeholders.
What You'll Bring
* Senior leadership experience in a custodial or secure environment.
* Proven ability to lead and develop teams in a complex, high-pressure setting.
* Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
* Sound understanding of performance management, contract compliance, and reporting.
* Financial and IT literacy.
* Command-level incident management qualification.
* DCO (Detention Custody Officer) accreditation (or willingness to achieve).
* Knowledge of immigration detention and working with vulnerable adults is desirable.
* Must hold a full UK driving licence.
Additional Requirements
* This role requires successful security clearance (CTC and enhanced DBS).
* Primarily based at Derwentside IRC, with occasional travel to other sites.
* Control & restraint training (provided as part of onboarding) is required.
Why Serco?
At Serco, we are committed to providing a safe, respectful and rehabilitative environment. You'll be part of a collaborative team striving to make a real difference in people's lives while maintaining high standards of professionalism and integrity.
A place you can make an impact
We're focused on decency and respect in all aspects of our care for residents. You'll help create a clean and comfortable environment, during a critical time in their lives.
A place you can count on
Our diverse UK-wide operations offer fantastic opportunities to learn and progress. You'll be able to broaden your experience and apply your skills in new ways, with plenty of room to grow.
A place for you
As well as caring for residents, we also care for and support one another. When you join Serco, you join a community of 50,000 people. We're a motivated team who will encourage you and help you to succeed with ongoing support and a flexible approach to work-life.
What we offer
* A competitive salary and benefits package
* Comprehensive training and development opportunities
* A collaborative team environment with strong leadership
* The chance to make a real difference in the justice system
* Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
* Free on site parking
All Serco employees must ensure that their current line manager is aware of their application. For confidential enquiries please contact MyHR. Serco are Disability Confident Leader employers and are committed to employing and retaining people with disabilities. 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.
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