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- Tasks: Lead the creation of a strategic workforce plan for a major public-sector organisation.
- Company: A leading Scottish public-sector organisation with a focus on future workforce strategy.
- Benefits: Hybrid working model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Influence senior leaders and shape workforce strategy through to 2030.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic workforce planning and strong analytical skills.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on impactful decision-making.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
We are supporting a leading Scottish public‑sector organisation in the recruitment of an experienced Strategic Workforce Planning Lead. This is a key role responsible for shaping the organisation’s workforce strategy through to 2030, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities, financial planning, and future operational needs. This assignment offers the opportunity to influence senior decision‑makers, lead cross‑functional collaboration, and be the principal author of a high‑impact workforce plan for a nationally significant organisation.
The Role
Working closely with the Head of People (HR, Learning & Skills Development), you will lead the creation of a comprehensive Strategic Workforce Plan for the period 2026–2030. You’ll engage senior leaders to understand business priorities, analyse workforce MI and financial data, and translate organisational strategy into clear, evidence‑based workforce requirements. You will also identify gaps in current workforce planning activity, source missing data, and coordinate inputs from People, Finance, Cost Centres, Corporate Affairs and Communications teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop a clear, robust and future‑focused workforce plan mapping the current workforce and defining the route to 2030.
- Engage senior leaders to understand directorate challenges, strategic objectives, and anticipated workforce demand.
- Analyse staffing MI, multi‑year financial plans, budgets and corporate goals to predict workforce impacts across 2026–2030.
- Lead scenario planning and workforce modelling to test different strategic, operational and financial outcomes.
- Assess the organisation’s culture, resourcing approach, development pathways and retention challenges to inform workforce strategy.
- Identify information gaps and coordinate data gathering from key internal stakeholders.
- Act as the lead author of the Strategic Workforce Plan, producing clear, well‑structured documentation for senior approval.
- Work collaboratively across HR, L&D, Finance, and Corporate teams to ensure alignment with policy, operations and budget planning.
Skills & Experience Required
- Proven experience developing and delivering strategic workforce plans (public sector experience highly desirable).
- Strong ability to quickly interpret and align work to organisational strategy, corporate plans and long‑term objectives.
- Skilled in analysing and interpreting financial data relating to workforce planning and future workforce cost modelling.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, particularly when engaging senior staff and cross‑functional leaders.
- Confident in scenario planning and modelling techniques.
- Strong understanding of the public sector, Scottish Government bodies or Arms‑Length Agencies.
- Ability to work effectively across diverse professional teams, bringing clarity, structure and leadership to complex planning work.
Workforce Specialist employer: Lorien
Contact Detail:
Lorien Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Workforce Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those who work in public sector organisations. Attend events or webinars where you can meet potential colleagues and decision-makers. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation's current workforce strategy and challenges. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals for 2030. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re the one they need!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! You’ll need to influence senior leaders and collaborate across teams. Try mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your pitch and ensure you can articulate your ideas clearly.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our platform. Let’s get you that job!
We think you need these skills to ace Workforce Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in strategic workforce planning. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; provide examples of how you've used them in previous roles. We want to see how your experience aligns with the responsibilities of the Workforce Specialist position.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically so we can easily follow your reasoning and insights.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lorien
✨Know Your Workforce Strategy
Before the interview, dive deep into the organisation's current workforce strategy and any recent changes in public sector policies. This will help you align your answers with their goals and demonstrate your understanding of the strategic landscape.
✨Prepare for Data Analysis Questions
Given the role's focus on analysing financial data and workforce metrics, brush up on your data interpretation skills. Be ready to discuss how you've used data in past roles to inform workforce planning and decision-making.
✨Engage with Senior Leadership Scenarios
Think about examples where you've successfully engaged senior leaders in your previous roles. Prepare to share specific scenarios that highlight your influencing skills and how you navigated complex discussions to achieve alignment on workforce strategies.
✨Showcase Cross-Functional Collaboration
This role requires working across various teams. Have examples ready that illustrate your experience in collaborating with HR, Finance, and other departments. Highlight how you’ve led initiatives that required input from multiple stakeholders to create a cohesive workforce plan.
