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- Tasks: Lead strategic workforce planning initiatives to shape DWP's future and impact.
- Company: Join the UK's largest public service department, supporting over 20 million people annually.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, hybrid working, and a fantastic pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in workforce strategy while leading a high-performing team.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic workforce planning and strong stakeholder engagement skills required.
- Other info: Award-winning culture with excellent career progression and professional development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Head of Strategic Workforce Planning
Were looking for an exceptional Head of Strategic Workforce Planning to join our People and Capability Group, leading critical initiatives that shape DWPs future and deliver measurable impact.
DWP. Delivering with Purpose.
DWP is the UKs largest public service department, supporting over 20 million people annually.
The People and Capability Group lead on HR, Health & Safety, Organisation Development, and Learning Design and Delivery, supporting around 85,000 colleagues across 980 sites. We enable DWPs transformation and deliver its strategic priorities through our people.
Youll join the Resourcing, Workforce Strategy and Reform team as Head of Strategic Workforce Planning, leading one of DWPs key priorities: ensuring the right people, with the right skills, are in the right place at the right time. We shape resourcing strategy, employer brand, recruitment policy, and manage relationships with key partners.
Youll lead our Strategic Resourcing team, working with the Deputy Director to align long- and short-term planning, policy, and governance to ensure the department is future-ready.
Your Role and Impact
As Head of Strategic Workforce Planning, youll drive the development and delivery of DWPs workforce and resourcing strategies, enabling informed decision-making at senior levels.
Through expert leadership in workforce planning, exit strategy, contingent labour, and governance, youll influence how DWP responds to change, manages resources, and builds a capable, agile workforce.
Youll lead our centre of expertise for Strategic Workforce Planning, ensuring compliance with Civil Service Compensation Scheme protocols, overseeing governance and assurance (including supply and demand levels), and reporting to senior boards. Youll champion a culture of compliance and challenge non-compliance to protect organisational integrity.
Were looking for someone who embraces innovation and continuous improvement. Youll draw insights from across government and external partners, build capability across the workforce planning community, and lead a high-performing team to new standards of excellence.
What skills and experience do you need? How will this be assessed?
Youll complete both a technical statement and personal statement in your application. This is your opportunity to evidence examples of how you meet the following criteria:
Technical Statement:
- Demonstrable experience of Strategic Workforce Planning and Workforce Planning gained in a large complex and multi geographical organisation with evidence of the ability to manage a complex and volatile strategic resourcing landscape.
Personal Statement:
- Proven ability to quickly build effective relationships at a senior level and demonstrable experience of engaging, influencing and persuading senior stakeholders to reach consensus on complex business issues whilst offering constructive challenge.
- Strong evidence of presenting complex ideas, data, and analysis in a visually accessible way, which has enabled senior stakeholders to make informed decisions at strategic level. You must possess strong Excel skills, with an accomplished ability to interpret, manipulate and produce data modelling, this is critical due to the fast-paced nature of corporate requests.
- Strong evidence of successfully building and leading multi-disciplinary diverse teams with the ability to motivate, set direction in ambiguity, and build capability so they are recognised as professional experts in their field.
- Ability to respond to changing business requirements at pace and translate business strategy into workforce implications. (long-term workforce trends, scenario planning, and forecasting)
- Strong evidence of being a creative problem solver, with the ability to interpret complex organisational strategies and operating models. You will have used insight into long-term workforce trends, scenario planning, and forecasting to evaluate risks and develop innovative yet pragmatic solutions to complex resourcing challenges such as aligning workforce plans with estates strategy and fiscal constraints while ensuring compliance with legislative requirements.
- Be an advocate for change and innovation within strategic resourcing using evidence, insights, and best practice to continuously improve resourcing processes including supporting effective delivery of changes through ongoing engagement and evaluation.
Qualifications: Chartered Member of CIPD or willing to work towards this upon the commencement of the role
Details. Wages. Perks.
Location: Youll join us in one of our brilliant sites in Leeds, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Birmingham, Sheffield, whichever is best suited to you.
Hybrid Working: We work a hybrid model – you\’ll spend some time working at home and some time collaborating face to face in a hub.
Pay: We offer competitive pay of up to £80,267.
Pension: You\’ll get a brilliant civil service pension with employer contributions worth 28.97%.
Holidays: A generous leave package starting at 26 days rising to 31 days over time.
You can also take up to 3 extra days off a month on flexi-time. You\’ll also get all the usual public holidays.
We have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:
- An award-winning environment and culture: Employer of the Year 2023 (Women In IT Awards), Founders Award for Outstanding Digital Leadership 2023 (Digital 100)
- Flexible working including flexible hours and flex-friendly policies
- Time off volunteering and charitable giving
- Bring your authentic self to work with \’I Can Be Me in DWP\’
- Discounts and savings on shopping, fun days out and more
- Interest-free loans to buy a bike or a season ticket, so it\’s even easier for you to get to work and start making a difference
- Sports and social activities
Professional development, coaching, mentoring and career progression opportunities.
Click Apply for more information and to start an application on Civil Service Jobs.
Head of Strategic Workforce Planning in Newcastle Upon Tyne employer: DWP
Contact Detail:
DWP Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Strategic Workforce Planning in Newcastle Upon Tyne
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more you engage, the better your chances of landing that Head of Strategic Workforce Planning role.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back! Share specific examples of how you've tackled complex workforce planning challenges. This is your moment to shine and show them you’re the right fit for DWP.
✨Be Ready for the Interview
Prepare for those tricky interview questions by practising your responses. Think about how you can demonstrate your experience in strategic resourcing and your ability to influence senior stakeholders. Confidence is key!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the DWP team and making a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Strategic Workforce Planning in Newcastle Upon Tyne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft Your Technical Statement: This is your chance to shine! Make sure you highlight your experience in Strategic Workforce Planning, especially in complex organisations. Use specific examples to show how you've navigated tricky resourcing landscapes.
Nail Your Personal Statement: Your personal statement should reflect your ability to build relationships and influence senior stakeholders. Share stories that demonstrate your persuasive skills and how you've tackled complex business issues with confidence.
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since strong Excel skills are a must, don’t forget to mention your ability to interpret and manipulate data. Provide examples of how your data presentations have helped senior leaders make informed decisions.
Be Authentic and Engaging: Let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so be authentic in your application. Remember, we value innovation and creativity, so don’t hesitate to share your unique ideas and solutions.
How to prepare for a job interview at DWP
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of strategic workforce planning and the specific challenges faced by large organisations like DWP. Brush up on your knowledge of workforce trends, scenario planning, and how to align workforce strategies with business goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to lead diverse teams and influence senior stakeholders. Think about times when you've successfully navigated complex issues and how you can articulate these experiences clearly during the interview.
✨Data is Your Friend
Since strong Excel skills are crucial for this role, be ready to discuss how you've used data modelling to inform decision-making. Bring examples of how you've presented complex data in an accessible way to help senior leaders make informed choices.
✨Embrace Change and Innovation
DWP values innovation, so come prepared with ideas on how to improve resourcing processes. Think about past experiences where you've championed change and how you can apply those insights to drive continuous improvement in workforce planning.
