OPCC Violence Reduction Unit Director - HC623470
OPCC VRU Director – HC623470
Location: Fareham, with a requirement for at least 3 days a week in the office
Hours: 37.00 per week
Contract: Full-time and permanent
Salary: HMG E (£69,303 – £76,023 per annum)
Closing Date: Sunday 22 March 2026 at 23:59
Interviews will take place at the OPCC Offices in Fareham during w/c 13 April 2026.
Please note that this role is politically restricted and will require police vetting clearance at NPPV Level 2.
The Office of Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) supports the Police and Crime Commissioner serving Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The OPCC provides a link between Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary (HIOWC) and the communities they service through setting the budget and holding the Chief Constable to account in the delivery of an efficient and effective service.
We currently have an exciting opportunity for a new VRU Director to join the team. This is a key role within the OPCC; a Senior Leadership position with a wide range of statutory and corporate responsibilities.
About the Role
As VRU Director, you will lead in the strategic coordination of multi-agency responses, ensuring effective partnership working.
This role is the Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) for all projects delivered by specified Home Office Grants in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and is responsible for leading and delivering a whole-system, public health approach to reducing knife crime, anti-social behaviour (ASB), and violence against women and girls (VAWG).
The main responsibilities of this role fall under six main areas – operational leadership & governance, partnership & stakeholder engagement, programme delivery & impact evaluation, resource & financial management, data sharing & evidence-based practice, and strategic development & policy influence. The full role profile and breakdown of responsibilities can be viewed here.
Regular travel across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is required, with the occasional requirement for national travel and some evening/weekend work (time off in lieu is available).
To view the full role profile, please click here
About You
We are looking for a candidate with a professional/graduate level qualification, or who has substantial comparative workplace experience.
You will also have experience in a senior leadership role, ideally within policing, community safety, VCSE sector, public health, or social care. It is essential that you have a strong understanding of public health approaches to harm reduction as well as experience in commissioning and evaluating services/interventions.
You should have strategic planning and project management skills with experience around budget management. Communication, negotiating, and influencing skills are imperative, along with the ability to make data-informed decisions and drive continuous improvement. The role has a fast moving workload as such you need to be agile and able to manage spontaneous demands alongside pre-planned activities.
Candidates should have significant line management experience, including performance and absence management, and must hold a full UK driving licence.
Benefits of working for the OPCC
In addition to the competitive salary and highly rewarding career, our benefits include, but are not limited to:
-
Competitive pension scheme;
-
Generous annual leave allowance
-
Access to a salary sacrifice scheme for ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEV);
-
Blue Light Card membership;
-
Excellent wellbeing support; and
-
Fantastic career progression including development and secondment opportunities.
How to Apply
Please follow the online application link to apply. You will be required to enter personal details and complete our pre-screen questions.
To complete your application, please ensure you;
-
Attach a CV;
-
Attach a covering letter of no more than one page detailing your motivations for applying for this role; and
-
Provide answers to the shortlisting questions detailed below. Each answer should be no more than 400 words or equivalent characters to support 400 words.
-
Please explain how you have led and delivered in strategic partnership arrangements and the impact that your leadership had in this context.
-
As a senior leader explain how you have evaluated or measured the impact of your work to ensure best value for funded initiatives?
-
What experience do you have that will enable you to lead violence reduction strategically in the future across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
If you would like to have an informal discussion about this role, please contact Kate Gunson on kate.gunson2@hampshire.police.uk or Jim.pegler@hampshire.police.uk. Alternatively, the Recruitment Team can be contacted on police.recruitment@hampshire.police.uk.
The Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.
Corporate Equalities Employment Policy: In order to combat indirect discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied to any for achieving equality of opportunity in its employment practices. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of their gender, disability, age, ethnic or national origin, marital status, creed, sexuality, trade union activity or responsibility for dependants unless a Genuine Occupational Qualification (GOQ) applies.
In order to combat indirect discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied to which would have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group.