Location
City of Westminster

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£96,000 per annum

About the Role
The National Returns Progression Command (NRPC) is a pivotal Home Office capability focused on maximising the return of immigration offenders, including illegal entrants, overstayers, and failed asylum seekers, while ensuring individuals are treated with dignity and safeguarded appropriately. This senior leadership role involves directing four key strands of work to maximise returns for immigration offenders.

The core responsibilities include leading detained returns from point of detention through to removal, managing detained asylum casework progression, overseeing non-detained case progression to resolve immigration status, and leading third country returns to countries other than the individual’s origin.

The role requires managing relationships with a wide range of delivery partners across multiple commands and departments, line managing three Grade 6 staff and approximately 500 personnel across 12 locations, providing leadership support to Immigration Enforcement and the Returns Directorate, and managing a budget of just under £22 million.

Experience
Proven track record of leading large and complex operations at scale. Experience working with Ministers and political stakeholders to drive public service transformation under intense political scrutiny. Ability to operate at pace in a demanding delivery environment, leading decisively amid uncertainty. Strong communication skills to engage Ministers and senior officials, framing realistic and tangible transformation plans and responding effectively to feedback. Demonstrated ability to plan, implement, and monitor delivery of ambitious goals, utilising resources innovatively to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Capability to deliver results in a highly contentious environment, balancing hard-edged outcomes with managing vulnerability and reputational considerations.

About you
Resilient and decisive leader with excellent interpersonal skills. Comfortable operating at senior levels within government and managing complex stakeholder relationships. Able to lead large, diverse teams and promote inclusivity. Skilled at navigating complex asylum and returns landscapes while maintaining a strong ethical approach to vulnerable individuals.

Qualifications
Experience within the migration, borders, or international cooperation landscape is desirable but not essential. Familiarity with managing individuals in detained environments is advantageous.