Area Lead Human Resources Business Partner in Cardiff

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is responsible for running the UK's criminal and civil justice systems, creating the foundations for a safe, fair and prosperous society. MoJ People and Capability supports the organisation by enabling its people to be the best that they can be. This role sits within the HMPPS HR Business Partner Team and provides direct partnering support to Executive Directors within HMPPS, including the Area Executive Director for Wales & Community Accommodation Services (CAS). The role includes oversight and management of an HRBP team and reports to the Deputy Director of the HMPPS HRBP Team.

The team is deployed to partner senior leaders across HQ, Prison and Probation, notably for the Wales & CAS area, with the aim of implementing people strategies for the region. The aim is to translate business priorities and strategy into a coherent people agenda with targeted interventions, delivering tailored HR interventions to drive improvements in leadership, people management, organisational design and development, change management and workforce strategy. A credible HR professional is required with the ability to establish quality relationships.

This role is the primary link between the top two tiers of senior leadership within HMPPS and their success depends on the support of the rest of the HMPPS HR and People and Capability via Expert Services.

The post holder will bring together the people priorities across all areas of responsibility under the Area Executive Director they partner, and work collaboratively to develop effective strategies that deliver against the MoJ and HMPPS People Strategy.

• Strategic partnering: Lead the strategic people agenda at Executive Director level, aligning workforce priorities to business strategy and organisational outcomes.
• Solving: Provide expert, insight-driven HR solutions that address complex workforce challenges and support organisational performance.
• Connecting: Enable joined-up, high-quality HR delivery by connecting the business to the full range of People and Capability services and expertise.
• Coaching: Develop leadership capability by coaching senior leaders to deliver the people agenda and role model strong people management.
• Working alongside the Executive Director to support business change and provide oversight of the people impacts arising from significant change programmes; ensure the right structure, climate and capability to manage change and transition.
• Advise on people implications arising from significant change initiatives and provide technical HR/employment oversight.
• Resourcing & Retention: Ensure effective regional workforce planning aligned to budgets, and deploy attraction, talent and development strategies; manage urgent resourcing and retention needs through appropriate channels; partner the business on succession planning to develop credible successors.
• Leadership & Management Capability: Understand leadership capability needs at Director level and develop leadership capability through coaching, mentoring and facilitating access to organisational design and development expertise.
• Employee Relations: Oversight of complex casework for the region or business area; provide access to appropriate casework and legal advice and identify interventions to address culture or behaviour changes.
• Employee Engagement: Analyze People Survey results at a regional level, implement response and action plans, and facilitate access to advice and services to support interventions; ensure leaders are held to account for engagement activity.
• Attendance & Wellbeing: Oversee AWDL at regional level, drive interventions to reduce absence and health issues, and understand workforce health across the region while facilitating access to wellbeing services.
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion: Drive the Civil Service-wide D&I strategy and ensure equality impacts are understood in all people initiatives.

Technical HR expertise with the ability to influence senior leaders and drive cultural change. Chartered MCIPD (or an equivalent HR qualification) or willing to work towards it, with active commitment to continuous professional development. Experience delivering strategic HR interventions across leadership, organisational design, change management and workforce strategy. Excellent communication, networking and influencing skills with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders; strong organisational and prioritisation abilities; sound judgement and strategic thinking.

Location and working arrangements: The successful applicant’s work base should be in the Wales region, ideally at the Justice Collaboration Centre in Cardiff (Churchill House). If not possible, alternative Wales-based locations can be explored. The role requires on-site presence in the region 3 days a week with travel as required, including Cardiff JCC.

Application process: Sift may be based on Civil Service Behaviours; interviews are likely to be remote and may include a presentation. Behavioural and strengths assessments will be used. Details will be provided to shortlisted candidates.

MoJ terms: Hybrid working may be available; standard full-time hours are 37 per week. MoJ supports flexible and part-time working patterns where feasible. This role is UK-based and not overseas.

Benefits: Pension options, annual leave, training and development opportunities, networks for minority groups, and other Civil Service and MoJ-specific arrangements.

This description reflects current expectations and may be subject to change in line with business needs; postholders may be required to support other areas as needed to ensure effective partnership delivery.