Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead workforce planning to shape the future of transport in the UK.
- Company: Join the Department for Transport, a key player in shaping national transport strategies.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on workforce planning while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in workforce planning and strong data analysis skills required.
- Other info: Access to professional development opportunities and a diverse, inclusive workplace.
The predicted salary is between 57515 - 72000 £ per year.
Department for Transport
Apply before 11:55 pm on Tuesday 6th January 2026
Location: Birmingham, Hastings, Leeds, Swansea (Hybrid)
Salary: £57,515 - A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Contract Type: Permanent – Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time
It’s an exciting time to join the Department for Transport’s Strategic Workforce Planning team. This is a high-profile role that sits at the centre of bringing together a wide range of insights that shape both our current and future workforce plans. You’ll help craft the narrative that enables senior leaders to understand the changes needed to ensure we have the right workforce capacity and capability, and the part they play in achieving it.
We’re looking for someone with strong workforce planning experience, ranging from in-year forecasting and reporting to longer-term strategic planning. Strong numeracy and technical modelling skills are essential, but equally important is your ability to turn data into clear, compelling insight that informs decisions and drives action.
You’ll also enjoy working collaboratively and building strong relationships, as this role involves frequent engagement with stakeholders at all levels across the organisation.
Top Responsibilities
- Leading on the development and evolution of workforce demand planning practices to forecast the size and shape of the Department’s future workforce demand (grade, profession, directorate etc).
- Leading on the reporting of in-year workforce trends and the delivery of quarterly workforce reviews and annual workforce business planning with senior stakeholders.
- Engaging with the Strategic Resourcing team and other HR colleagues to translate the workforce demand plan into a strategic workforce plan, including guidance on appropriate balances of build/buy or other options.
- Leading on workforce planning activity relating to the Department’s Places for Growth programme of work, re-balancing more of our workforce from London to outside of London.
- Using internal and external data to understand trends and build insights in relation to the workforce to tell our workforce ‘story’. Use these to identify and bring to life workforce risks and issues.
Benefits
- Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary.
- 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
- 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
- Access to the staff discount portal.
- Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
- Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
- 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
- Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
About you
To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:
- Using data and evidence to make decisions and influence - interpreting data to create and present evidence-based insight and using data to highlight trends and inform planning. Undertaking workforce data modelling/ scenario planning.
- Digital proficiency - effectively using digital Advanced capability of Excel.
- Planning and problem solving – making decisions using own initiative, with good planning and organisation skills. Strong problem-solving ability when working with multiple stakeholders.
- Building and managing relationships and partnerships - consulting and collaborating with key stakeholders, including experience of building effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of strategic workforce planning principles, people analytics, HR data and MI.
If you do not already hold the following qualification, then you must be willing to work towards this once in role:
Relevant professional qualification or knowledge - Full or part-qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) or willing to work towards this.
How to Apply
Read the full job description and apply using the link provided.
This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Tuesday 6th January 2026
Strategic Workforce Planning Lead in Leeds employer: Department for Transport
Contact Detail:
Department for Transport Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Workforce Planning Lead in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research the Department for Transport and its Strategic Workforce Planning team. Understanding their goals and challenges will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and insights into the role. This can give you valuable information and might even lead to a referral!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to workforce planning. Think about how you can showcase your data interpretation skills and your ability to build relationships with stakeholders. We want to see you shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and ready to contribute to the exciting work at the Department for Transport.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Workforce Planning Lead in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in workforce planning. Use the job description as a guide and showcase how your skills align with what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since strong numeracy and technical modelling skills are essential, don’t shy away from sharing specific examples of how you've used data to inform decisions. We want to see your analytical prowess!
Engage with Stakeholders: This role involves collaboration with various stakeholders, so mention any relevant experiences where you’ve successfully built relationships. It’s all about teamwork, and we love to see that!
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it’s super easy and straightforward!
How to prepare for a job interview at Department for Transport
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Strategic Workforce Planning Lead, you'll need to demonstrate strong numeracy and technical modelling skills. Brush up on your data interpretation abilities and be ready to discuss how you've used data to inform decisions in past roles. Prepare specific examples that showcase your analytical prowess.
✨Craft Your Narrative
This role involves crafting narratives that help senior leaders understand workforce changes. Think about how you can present complex data in a clear and compelling way. Practice explaining your insights succinctly, focusing on how they drive action and inform strategic planning.
✨Build Relationships
Engaging with stakeholders is key in this position. Be prepared to discuss your experience in building and managing relationships. Think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with various teams or influenced decision-making through effective communication.
✨Showcase Your Flexibility
With the role being hybrid and involving flexible working, highlight your adaptability. Share experiences where you've successfully managed multiple priorities or worked in different environments. This will show that you're not only capable but also a great fit for the department's culture.
