Director for Leadership and Workforce Development in City of Westminster

Strong leadership has never been more important for policing. As an integral part of our Executive team, you will bring a clear strategic vision and proven delivery skills to leading the national strategy for leadership and workforce development across policing, shaping future capability and culture. This pivotal role drives professional standards and innovation. You will be influencing at Board level and across the stakeholder landscape to lead and manage a portfolio to deliver transformational impact for the service. As College Executive Sponsor for the Police Leadership Commission, you will have a key role in considering how any recommendations are taken forward. The College is the professional body for policing in England and Wales and is a mission-driven organisation, with a bold ambition: to ensure everyone working in policing has the skills, knowledge, and support to protect the public and keep communities safe. Hear more about the role from our CEO: Director of Leadership and Workforce Development video for recruitment About the role We\’ve made substantial progress through our five-year leadership strategy. We\’ve introduced national leadership standards at five key levels, launched the Executive Leaders Programme for chief officers, developed new promotion frameworks, and established talent development programmes including fast-track routes from inspector to superintendent. We know there is more to do to deliver strong and effective leadership at all levels, set the tone for organisational culture, promote high standards of professional behaviour, enables successful organisational change, and inspire delivery of the best possible policing outcomes for the public. We\’ve supported workforce development through a framework that includes accessible and diverse entry routes into policing, ensuring recruits receive high-quality training aligned with operational policing needs. We promote continuing professional development (CPD) to maintain and enhance skills, knowledge and competence across all roles. The recently launched national talent development strategy (NTDS) provides a consistent, inclusive approach to identifying and nurturing talent at every level, with a strong focus on leadership capacity and progression. Alongside this, professional development reviews (PDRs) offer structured conversations between staff and managers to support career growth, wellbeing and performance, embedding continuous learning and development into everyday practice.

Some of your responsibilities will include:

• Setting and delivering the national strategy for leadership and workforce development, ensuring policing has the capability and capacity to meet current and future challenges.
• Providing visible, inspirational leadership and driving cultural change across the organisation, embedding ethics, inclusion, and continuous improvement at every level
• Driving the implementation of lean, effective delivery processes, creating high-performing teams and ensuring timely, proportionate outputs that meet strategic priorities.
• To be successful in this role you\’ll need
  

  A deep understanding of strategic policing workforce issues and policing culture.

• Proven success contributing to or advising at Board level in a strategic workforce planning and leadership environment.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing capability.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• A level 7 qualification or equivalent experience.
  

  Alongside your salary of £100,000, College of Policing contributes £28,970 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

This is more than a leadership role – it\’s a chance to make a national impact across policing. In return, we offer:

• Defined benefit pension scheme (average employer contribution of 28.97%
• Up to 31.5 days holiday + public holidays
• Continued professional development
• Enhanced parental leave
• Discounts, healthcare, and wellbeing support
• Interest free season ticket loans
• Tailored learning and development
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture of inclusion, flexibility and innovation