Josie Moloney
Coventry,West Midlands
Summary
A results-driven and highly organised professional with a proven track record of operational excellence and strategic leadership. Adept at maximising performance and customer satisfaction while driving innovation and organisational change. Dedicated to achieving business objectives through collaborative leadership and a commitment to continuous improvement and professional growth.
Visionary leader with strategic mindset and proven ability to drive organisational growth. Demonstrates strong negotiation and communication skills, alongside expertise in project management and team leadership. Committed to delivering transformative results and fostering culture of innovation.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
11
11
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Head of Safer Custody / Duty Director
HMP Five Wells
2024.09 - 2026.05
- As a Strategic Leader and Head of Safety on Senior Management Team at HMP Five Wells, I direct all safety functions, ensuring compliance with contractual requirements and driving HMP Five Wells culture and values. My extensive custodial management experience enables me to lead, develop, and mentor the Safety team, establishing high performance standards in a demanding environment.
- 1. Violence Reduction & Integrity
- The priority is to stabilise the environment through proactive management of conflict and debt.
- Optimised resource allocation to maximise productivity.
- Managed daily operations by overseeing financials, key performance indicators and employee performance.
- Management of Debt & Bullying: Lead the strategy to identify debt-driven violence (canteen, illicit items). Implement a robust "Challenge, Support, and Intervention Plan" (CSIP) to manage perpetrators and protect victims.
- Use of Force (UoF): Serve as the functional lead for UoF oversight. Conduct weekly reviews of footage to ensure all interventions are legal, necessary, and proportionate. Identify trends and provide feedback to the POELT (Prison Officer Entry Level Training) and tactical teams.
- Incentives Policy: Leverage the Incentives scheme to drive positive behavior rather than relying solely on punitive measures.
- 2. Suicide & Self-Harm Prevention (Safety Focus)
- Managing the Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) process is the cornerstone of this role.
- ACCT Management: Ensure the quality of ACCT documents is audit-ready. Focus on meaningful "Care Mapping" rather than tick-box compliance.
- Death in Custody (DiC): Implement learning from PPO (Prisons and Probation Ombudsman) investigations. Ensure immediate post-incident support is available for both staff and residents.
- PEEPs (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans): Guarantee 100% compliance for residents with mobility or sensory issues. This is a critical life-safety requirement often flagged in improvement notices.
- 3. Vulnerable Cohorts & Social Care
- Safety is not one-size-fits-all; it requires a segmented approach.
- Young Adults (Under 25s): Develop strategies that account for brain development and maturity. Focus on conflict resolution and reducing impulsive self-harm.
- Older Population (Over 65s): Oversight of social care requirements in conjunction with local authorities. Ensure their safety from victimization and that their environment is fit for purpose.
- Transfers In & Out: Direct the safety screening for all arrivals. Ensure "Early Days" transitions are seamless, as the first 24–72 hours carry the highest risk of self-harm and bullying.
- 4. Tactical Improvement & BAU Recovery
- Moving from "Crisis Management" to "Sustainable Safety."
- Improvement Notice Delivery: Act as the single point of contact for HMPPS/Regulators regarding the safety improvement plan. Evidence every "Action Closed" with data and qualitative feedback.
- Safety Matrix & Data: Chair the weekly Safety Intervention Meeting (SIM). Use data to "predict and prevent" rather than react.
- Assurance Framework: Establish a regular "Safety Audit" cycle so that when the Improvement Notice is lifted, the systems remain self-sustaining.
- Oversaw the effective operation of all functional departments.
- Established and governed contract deliverables and KPIs to ensure compliance, cost-effectiveness, and service excellence.
- Developed and implemented a robust functional business plan that aligned with strategic establishment goals.
- Directed all audits and assurance activities pertinent to the Safety Function.
- Collaborated with functional managers to optimise prison capacity and operational delivery.
- Formulated and advocated for safety and decency standards, promoting community inclusion and ensuring all equality and diversity standards are met for both staff and prisoners.
- Monitored and standardised the adjudication process to ensure compliance with Prison Service standards, guaranteeing fair, just, and impartial hearings.
- Managed and controlled a significant departmental budget, ensuring adherence to financial parameters.
- Championed performance development by coaching employees and ensuring adherence to ethical standards, values, equality, diversity, and contractual requirements.
- Executed the role of Duty Director (on a rota basis), overseeing effective operations, security, and monitoring critical systems (ACCT and Violence Reduction) to minimise suicides, self-harm, and bullying.
- Led team to streamline operations by implementing new strategies.
Residential Cluster Manager
HMP Rye Hill
2023.06 - 2024.09
- Directed residential operations for 664 prisoners, managing a team of 9 First Line Managers and 90 Prison Custody Officers.
- Standardised operational processes and safety protocols, ensuring strict adherence across all residential units.
- Developed and implemented a strategic levelling up expansion strategy to meet establishment expansion goals.
- Collaborated with Education and Activities to implement rehabilitation initiatives, including Skills Passports and the Reading Strategy.
- Managed the First Line Manager roster and strategically planned prisoner moves across the establishment.
- Led collaborative working groups and managed controlled conversations to set clear expectations for both staff and prisoners.
Assurance and Support Services Manager
HMP Rye Hill
2021.04 - 2023.06
- Development and implemented a local, risk-based Self-Audit program to optimise contractual compliance and service excellence.
- Optimised audit and performance outputs, driving measurable improvements in contract KPIs and operational efficiency.
- Provided strategic management and quality assurance across support services, including Rosters, Performance, Health & Safety, and Litigation.
- Managed contract compliance administration, including rectification of non-compliance, Alternative Procedures, and the Consolidated Action Plan to prevent financial penalties.
- Implemented key digital initiatives, including a Daily Directors Vlog and a Prisoner TV channel during the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside the Contract Playbook, which was adopted regionally.
- Served as an Adjudicator and successfully performed Silver Command and Duty Director duties.
Secondment Support Manager
Oakhill STC
2021.11 - 2021.12
- Led the rapid implementation of corrective actions post OFSTED Urgent Notification, focusing on Safeguarding and Behaviour Management.
- Analysed contract, performance, and incident data to identify critical trends and focus areas.
- Built and managed relationships with key external stakeholders, including the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and Youth Custody Service (YCS).
- Coordinated logistics for high profile visits, including the Prison Minister and HMPPS Director.
- Served as the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for the OFSTED Inspection.
- Delivered Incident Management training to managers on Hold, Plan, Act principles.
- Provided guidance to Senior Managers on data reporting, management, and performance monitoring.
- Supported staff through focus groups to improve morale and guide challenging Young People.
- Monitored progress against the UN and assisted in preparing for Performance Reviews and Controller/Director meetings.
Performance and Quality First Line Manager
HMP Rye Hill
2021.04 - 2021.04
Prison Custody Officer / Offender Manager
HMP Rye Hill
2015.10 - 2019.01
G4S Rainsbrook STC
2013.01 - 2015.01
Toby Carvery
2012.01 - 2013.01
Dunelm/ Pausa Coffee Shop
2012.01 - 2013.01
Wetherspoons
2008.01 - 2012.01
Education
BSc (Hons) - Forensic and Investigative Studies
Coventry University
2011.01 - 2013.01
HND - Forensic Science
Henley College
2009.01 - 2011.01
BTEC ND - Forensic Science
Henley College
2007.01 - 2009.01
6 GCSEs - Maths, English, Science
Bishop Ullathorne School
2002.01 - 2007.01
Skills
- Strategic leadership and operational management of large scale prisons
- Proficient in data analysis to monitor service delivery and optimise business outcomes
- Expertise in implementing innovation and leading organisational change initiatives
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with focus on stakeholder engagement
- Crisis management expertise
- Board level communication
- Leadership acumen
- Quality control standards understanding
References
REFERENCES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
Timeline
Head of Safer Custody / Duty Director
HMP Five Wells
2024.09 - 2026.05
Residential Cluster Manager
HMP Rye Hill
2023.06 - 2024.09
Secondment Support Manager
Oakhill STC
2021.11 - 2021.12
Assurance and Support Services Manager
HMP Rye Hill
2021.04 - 2023.06
Performance and Quality First Line Manager
HMP Rye Hill
2021.04 - 2021.04
Prison Custody Officer / Offender Manager
HMP Rye Hill
2015.10 - 2019.01
G4S Rainsbrook STC
2013.01 - 2015.01
Toby Carvery
2012.01 - 2013.01
Dunelm/ Pausa Coffee Shop
2012.01 - 2013.01
BSc (Hons) - Forensic and Investigative Studies
Coventry University
2011.01 - 2013.01
HND - Forensic Science
Henley College
2009.01 - 2011.01
Wetherspoons
2008.01 - 2012.01
BTEC ND - Forensic Science
Henley College
2007.01 - 2009.01
6 GCSEs - Maths, English, Science
Bishop Ullathorne School
2002.01 - 2007.01