theForum » General Information » Forum announcements and feedback » We're hiring - and it's a big one

We're hiring - and it's a big one

Deb S — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:56:49 GMT

Unlock is looking for a Head of Operations, Governance and Programmes Support to help keep the organisation running smoothly and support the work that makes real change happen.

This role sites right at the heart of Unlock. You'll work closely with the CEO, senior leaders and trustees, making sure our systems, policies and people practices actually work - and work well. From governance and HR to programme support and day-to-day operations, you'll help create the solid foundations that allow the rest of the team to focus on impact.

We're especially interested in someone who:

Leads with values, not just policies
Gets the importance of trauma-informed and lived-experience-led working
Can balance the big picture with day-to-day problem-solving
Cares about people, culture and doing things the right way.

We're proud to be inclusive, and we actively welcome applications from people with lived experience of the criminal justice system, as well as candidates from under-represented backgrounds.

If this sounds like you - or someone you know - we'd love you to apply or spread the word.

Find out more and apply here.

RE: We're hiring - and it's a big one

punter99 — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:56:49 GMT

May be a little bit unfair to accuse an organisation like Unlock of not hiring SOs, given that they are one of the very few that give us a voice.

At the same time though, I wonder how Unlock treats the issue of reputational risk? I am sure the media would be all over them, if they hired a high profile SO, like Huw Edwards for example. So would that risk be a potential barrier, even for an inclusive organisation?

RE: We're hiring - and it's a big one

Evan Davis — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:53:05 GMT

[quote]

[b]CB Root - 16 Apr 26 1:37 PM[/b]

[quote]

[b]Deb S - 16 Apr 26 9:56 AM[/b]

Leads with values, not just policies
Gets the importance of trauma-informed and lived-experience-led working
Can balance the big picture with day-to-day problem-solving
Cares about people, culture and doing things the right way.

[/quote]

"We're proud to be inclusive, and we actively welcome applications from people with lived experience of the criminal justice system"
I wonder if any SOs will get an interview?

[/quote]

Unlock is a proud member of the Ban the Box campaign. We do not ask for the disclosure of any criminal record information at application stage. Applications are treated on a 'blind' basis, with any personal information shared within an application being anonymised before being put in front of a selection panel. We only ask for a disclosure at the point we make a job offer to somebody, and this conversation takes place confidentially with Unlock's CEO and Head of Delivery and Programmes only - nobody else within the organisation would know anything about an applicant's criminal record.

We would categorically refute any potential suggestion that we are not a wholly inclusive organisation. We make no judgments based on somebody's experience (or non-experience) of the criminal justice system or offence-type. Anybody, whether they have an experience of the CJS or not, is welcome to apply for this role and Applicants will be judged solely on their skills, background & experience.

RE: We're hiring - and it's a big one

AB2014 — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:44:49 GMT

[quote]

[b]CB Root - 16 Apr 26 1:37 PM[/b]

[quote]

[b]Deb S - 16 Apr 26 9:56 AM[/b]

Leads with values, not just policies
Gets the importance of trauma-informed and lived-experience-led working
Can balance the big picture with day-to-day problem-solving
Cares about people, culture and doing things the right way.

[/quote]

"We're proud to be inclusive, and we actively welcome applications from people with lived experience of the criminal justice system"
I wonder if any SOs will get an interview?

[/quote]

You need to be aware that the role seems to be for a Senior Manager, so if someone is on the SOR and/or they have an unspent conviction for a sexual offence, they would need a waiver from the Charities Commission for that role, and I've read that it can take up to a year to get a waiver. Of course, if they are no longer on the SOR and their conviction is spent, they won't need a waiver and they don't have to disclose.

RE: We're hiring - and it's a big one

CB Root — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:37:50 GMT

[quote]

[b]Deb S - 16 Apr 26 9:56 AM[/b]

Leads with values, not just policies
Gets the importance of trauma-informed and lived-experience-led working
Can balance the big picture with day-to-day problem-solving
Cares about people, culture and doing things the right way.

[/quote]

"We're proud to be inclusive, and we actively welcome applications from people with lived experience of the criminal justice system"
I wonder if any SOs will get an interview?