At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead workforce development to enhance customer service across Sheffield City Council.
- Company: Sheffield City Council, dedicated to improving resident experiences and supporting staff.
- Benefits: Generous holiday entitlement, flexible working options, and commitment to equality and diversity.
- Other info: Join a diverse team focused on inclusivity and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on how residents interact with council services and improve community engagement.
- Qualifications: Experience in workforce development and ability to design practical interventions.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Sheffield City Council is building its Customer Experience Capability; a team focused on improving how residents experience council services and how colleagues are supported to deliver them. The team brings together customer journeys, insight, workforce development, equalities, engagement, and communications. Its purpose is to help the Council work in a more joined-up, customer-focused way, using feedback, data, digital tools, and practical improvement methods to make services easier to access and better to use.
These roles are an opportunity to help shape a growing capability, work across services, and make a practical difference to how Sheffield residents experience the Council. Can you help teams build the skills, confidence, and practice they need to deliver better customer service?
We are looking for a Practice Development Officer, Customer to lead workforce practice development within Sheffield City Council’s Customer Experience Capability. This role will support the development, improvement, and consistency of customer practice within the Core Customer Hub and wider customer-facing services. It focuses on developing, embedding, and improving practice rather than delivering training at scale. You will work with managers, colleagues, and services to identify capability gaps, develop practical interventions, and support consistent standards of customer-focused practice.
In this role, you will:
- Lead customer-focused workforce development activity
- Design practical development interventions for customer-facing staff
- Support onboarding, guidance, and ongoing development
- Use feedback and operational learning to improve practice
- Line manage Customer Workforce Officer roles and support high-quality delivery
We are looking for someone who:
- Has experience in workforce development, practice improvement, or organisational development
- Can design and deliver practical, accessible development interventions
- Can work collaboratively with managers, frontline colleagues, and services
- Can use insight and feedback to shape improvement activity
This is a good opportunity for someone who wants to make learning and practice development work in real service environments. We are investing in our workforce and are promoting opportunities to our under-represented groups. We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly. It is a great time to join us and we welcome your application.
Under the Guaranteed Interview scheme, applicants who are disabled, care leavers, or armed forces veterans will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria and indicate their eligibility on the application form. Sometimes, if lots of people apply, we might not be able to interview everyone who qualifies for the Guarantee. In these cases, we’ll interview the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job.
Full‑time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council, including reduced hour contracts, working part time or as a job share. If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade. Equality of pay is extremely important to us. All roles at Sheffield City Council are going through an evaluation process which may result in changes to some pay arrangements from 2026. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all individuals, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for everyone and where appropriate to the role the successful applicant will be required to undertake relevant safeguarding checks.
Practice Development Officer in Sheffield employer: Beighton
Sheffield City Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to enhancing the customer experience for residents while fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. With a strong focus on workforce development, the Council offers ample opportunities for professional growth, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to equality and diversity, making it an ideal place for individuals passionate about making a meaningful impact in their community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Practice Development Officer in Sheffield
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
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Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Beighton!
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We think you need these skills to ace Practice Development Officer in Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Beighton. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Beighton and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Beighton. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Beighton's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Beighton
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Beighton.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
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Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Beighton and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
