Head of Change

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Salary Band 13, £76,269 - £85,752 (Please note it is Northumbria Police policy to appoint at the beginning of the band)

Location: Agile, Forth Banks Police Station and homeworking

Hours/Contract: 37 hours per week, permanent

Working for #TeamNP

Our purpose at Team NP is simple: to keep people safe and to fight crime. But it takes more than officers alone to do the job - and that's where our 2,000‑strong team of police staff and 200 volunteers come in. As one of the largest police forces in England we have a huge variety of departments and specialisms offering you endless opportunities. From mentoring and coaching schemes and online soft skills courses to leadership development programmes; we'll give you the support, training and time to carve out the career you always wanted. As a disability confident employer, we promote a culture of respect in the workplace so everyone can feel seen, heard and valued. Whether you're a member of staff or a volunteer, you can also expect first‑rate support to manage your health and wellbeing. With year‑round events, a 24/7 welfare support hotline and a leading approach to neurodiversity, our initiatives enable you to be at your best. Above all else, here at Team NP, we can offer you a career that is so much more than just a job, it's a chance to be part of something that really matters.

The role

Here at Northumbria Police, we think our region is amazing! It takes a great deal of people from different backgrounds, with diverse skills and experience to serve our force area effectively, think you have what it takes to help us make a difference? This could be the perfect time for you to join us in our Corporate Hub as a Head of Change. As Head of Change, you will lead the delivery of major organisational and digital transformation across Northumbria Police. You'll shape and drive programmes that modernise the way we work, providing strategic oversight, programme management expertise, and rigorous business assurance for complex, force‑wide change initiatives. In this high‑impact role, you will ensure that all change activity is well governed, aligned to organisational priorities, and delivers measurable benefits. Through strong planning, robust governance, and effective stakeholder engagement, you will create the conditions for successful transformation and support the Force in achieving its long‑term strategic ambitions.

What you'll do

• Identify and evaluate opportunities for new transformational initiatives, including emerging technologies and strategic partnerships.
• Define and shape programmes and projects, developing robust business cases that ensure organisational alignment, benefits realisation, and effective risk and financial management.
• Lead the planning and delivery of organisational and digital change through an integrated roadmap that sequences activity and supports strong stakeholder engagement.
• Oversee programme delivery, ensuring effective governance, gateway management, and assurance to the Transformation Board.
• Lead the Project Management Office, setting standards and providing tools, processes, and service design support for consistent, high quality programme and project delivery.

What you'll bring

• Degree level education (or equivalent experience), supported by recognised programme, project, and change management qualifications (MSP, PRINCE2, APMG Change Management).
• Minimum 5 years' experience leading complex transformation programmes, with strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing demands effectively.
• Proven experience developing long‑term transformation plans, designing and implementing organisational and digital change programmes, and working with Executive leaders to align activity with strategic priorities.
• Proven experience implementing and embedding programme and project management frameworks across large, complex organisations.
• Advanced problem solving and critical thinking skills, with experience leading teams to tackle complex challenges and develop innovative solutions unconstrained by traditional ways of working.
• Experience managing and motivating a team of business change project professionals to deliver transformative change across the organisation.

We know it's important for you to feel that you’re not only part of a great team, but part of a community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. Harnessing these differences creates a productive environment in which everyone feels valued, and their talents are fully utilised. Appointments are based on merit alone.

What we offer

• 26 days' leave (increasing to 30 days for 5 years+ service) plus 8 bank holidays
• NHS Fleet Solutions Car Lease Scheme
• Enhanced maternity, shared parental and adoption leave
• Flexible working (we are happy to discuss options such as compressed hours)
• Agile working - option to work from home, your team zone, and spaces across the force
• Fantastic market‑leading public sector pension scheme with up to 16% employer contribution
• Corporate travel schemes - local rail, bus services and metro discounts
• Access to private healthcare and eye test vouchers
• Discounts on shopping and eating out thanks to the Blue Light Card and Blue Light Tickets
• We've invested in extensive paid sick leave, trained mental health first aiders on‑site, an employee advice service for the times you need that additional support
• Access to gyms in some stations
• Sports & Social Club - join our thriving sports scene at Team NP and enjoy further exclusive discounts on days out and travel
• Cycle to work scheme
• Opportunity to volunteer in local community

We are committed to building a dynamic, agile workplace where meaningful connections are key. For roles designated as agile or home‑based, employees will work from a Force site at least once a week, with two days recommended. Hiring managers will be happy to discuss how this works in practice at interview stage. This approach helps build strong relationships, supports wellbeing, and fosters collaboration across teams.

Just so you know

Our application form will help us understand how your work, education and life experience has prepared you for the role of a Head of Change with #TeamNP. To help support your application research what makes us tick here at Northumbria, the role you’re applying for and the values and behaviours that contribute. The recruitment process will consist of the initial application form followed by a face‑to‑face interview and presentation. Just so you know, you can save your application and come back to it any time prior to the closing date on the advert.

We are proud members of the Business Disability Forum, working together to improve the lives of disabled employees. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. In cases of very high application volumes, we may prioritise those who most closely meet the criteria, applying the same fair approach for all candidates. If you tell us that you have a disability, we can make adjustments to support you through the recruitment process (for example we can arrange extra time for tests or provide a sign language interpreter). You can get in touch with us via email for any support regarding the application process. Please provide us with plenty of notice so we can ensure your visit goes smoothly.

Use of AI in Applications: At Northumbria Police, we embrace innovative technologies to enhance our recruitment process. We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While AI can be a valuable resource, we encourage applicants to ensure their submissions accurately reflect their personal qualifications, experiences, and skills. Our selection process includes thorough evaluations to verify the authenticity and suitability of all applications. We value genuine and thoughtful responses that showcase your unique strengths and perspectives.

If your application is successful, we'll ask you to complete a Management Vetting (MV) form, therefore you must be a resident of the UK for a minimum period of 5 years to ensure vetting checks can be successfully performed. A job offer will be dependent upon vetting clearance, medical information, and references.

Terms of appointment: This is a permanent role subject to a six‑month probationary period. If you are successful in your application, you will have a six‑month probation period with us where you will be unable to apply for any other post advertised internally or externally. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.