Head of Individual Dispute Resolution Services

This is a shared leadership role, with two individuals jointly appointed as Heads of Individual Dispute Resolution. The purpose of this role is to work collaboratively with the other joint Head of IDR to:

• Lead the development and delivery of the Acas Individual Dispute Resolution (IDR) function across Great Britain, ensuring effective delivery of highly professional IDR services in line with the Acas strategy.
• Support and develop the vision and objectives for the IDR function in collaboration with the Director of Dispute Resolution (DDR) and lead teams to deliver on them, and on the core service KPIs.
• Lead all aspects of service improvement, including setting and maintaining high standards, embedding recent change, and seeking, developing and leading delivery of opportunities to introduce innovation.
• Ensure that the right operational policies are in place and adhered to, working in close collaboration with the DR Policy, Performance and Development team.
• Build a strong culture of continuous professional development, supported by appropriate learning and development interventions.
• Build partnerships with external stakeholders and ensure effective stakeholder engagement.
• Promote good employment relations practice with customers and stakeholders, including developing and maintaining key relationships with Ministry of Justice (MoJ), Department for Business and Trade (BDT) and other government departments.
• Ensure that the IDR function has appropriate capacity, capability and the right monitoring and accountability mechanisms in place to optimise performance.
• Grow Acas’ subject matter expertise in individual dispute resolution to strengthen performance and promote externally.

The main accountabilities of this role are:

• Supporting and developing the vision – Accountable for working with the established vision in collaboration with the Director of Dispute Resolution & key stakeholders.
• Leading Delivery – Accountable for the day-to-day delivery of Acas’ Individual Dispute Resolution function across Great Britain.
• Service Planning – Accountable for the development and delivery of the IDR service business plan, in alignment with the overarching Acas Strategy.
• IDR Improvement – Accountable for continuous improvement of individual dispute services in collaboration with Director of Dispute Resolution and Head of Collective Dispute Resolution.
• Operational Policy & Standards – Accountable for determination of IDR operational guidance and standards.
• Performance management – Accountable for setting the IDR services performance standards including KPIs.
• Partnership and stakeholder management – Accountable for developing relationships with external partners.
• Learning & development – Accountable for ensuring that an effective programme of learning and development is in place.
• Supporting Acas board – Accountability for developing IDR Service recommendations for Acas Executive Board.

Responsibilities include leading your function to achieve its aims and strategic responsibilities, collaborating with others to achieve the goals of One Acas, and representing your function at SLT and in other internal forums.

Experience required includes:

• Proven experience of senior leadership in the Individual Dispute Resolution (IDR) service.
• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of how individual dispute resolution contributes to Acas’ strategic ambitions.
• Able to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• An ability to interact with and influence a variety of people.
• Ability to manage and achieve success through others.
• Understanding of Acas’ wider service range and employment relations context.
• Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues across Acas.
• Experience and enthusiasm in leading and managing change.
• Experience in horizon scanning and contributing to strategic plans.

Desirable criteria include knowledge of and experience in the ‘Smarter Resolutions’ programme of works in IDR.

Offered benefits include learning and development, health and wellbeing, pension scheme, cycle to work scheme, interest-free season ticket loans, and volunteering opportunities.

To apply, navigate to the full advert on Civil Service Jobs and complete an evidence-based Personal Statement reflecting the essential and desirable Experience requirements.

Acas is committed to creating an inclusive recruitment process. If you have a disability and feel that any part of the recruitment process puts you at a disadvantage, we will work with you to make Reasonable Adjustments that support your needs.

For applicants requiring a visa to work in the UK, please be advised that Acas does not hold a UKVI Sponsorship Licence.