At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead workforce strategy and planning for a major public service business.
- Company: Join Serco, a leader in delivering essential public services.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, company car, private healthcare, and flexible working.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team dedicated to improving community services.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on workforce effectiveness and employee experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in workforce strategy and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 58500 - 71500 £ per year.
Location: Home Based (UK) with occasional travel
Salary: Competitive + Benefits
Shape the future of workforce strategy across one of the UK's largest public service businesses. At Serco, our people are at the heart of delivering essential public services. We're looking for an experienced workforce leader to define and deliver the workforce strategy across our Justice & Immigration business.
Reporting to the Operations Director (Support Services), you'll provide strategic leadership for workforce planning, labour productivity, workforce analytics and payroll governance across a complex operational portfolio. Working closely with senior leaders across Operations, HR, Finance and Transformation, you'll ensure our workforce capability supports operational excellence, contractual performance and long-term business growth.
This is an opportunity to influence business decisions at executive level while leading transformational programmes that improve workforce effectiveness, governance and employee experience.
What you'll be doing
- Develop and deliver the workforce management strategy across the Justice & Immigration Business Unit.
- Lead long-term workforce planning aligned to operational demand, contract requirements and future business growth.
- Drive workforce optimisation, labour productivity and resource planning initiatives that improve operational performance.
- Build workforce forecasting, scenario planning and workforce analytics capabilities that support strategic decision making.
- Own the Business Unit's payroll governance framework, ensuring robust controls, compliance and service performance.
- Provide executive oversight of payroll governance, assurance, risk and continuous improvement.
- Lead workforce transformation programmes, identifying opportunities to simplify, standardise and automate workforce and payroll processes.
- Develop the strategic roadmap for workforce systems, data and digital capability.
- Use workforce intelligence and performance insight to influence executive decision making and financial planning.
- Establish governance frameworks, performance measures and assurance processes across workforce management and payroll.
- Build strong partnerships across Operations, HR, Finance, Payroll and Transformation teams to deliver sustainable business improvements.
What you'll bring
- Significant experience leading workforce strategy, workforce planning or workforce management functions.
- A strong track record of delivering workforce transformation, productivity improvement and organisational change.
- Experience developing governance and assurance frameworks within operational environments.
- Strong commercial awareness with an understanding of labour productivity, workforce economics and financial performance.
- Experience using workforce analytics and data to influence senior business decisions.
- Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence executive leaders.
- Experience leading cross-functional programmes across Operations, HR, Finance and Transformation.
- Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience. Relevant Workforce Management, HR, Payroll or Operational Excellence qualifications would be advantageous.
Why Serco?
At Serco, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by helping deliver services that improve the lives of millions of people every day.
- Competitive salary
- Company car or cash allowance
- Bonus opportunity
- Private healthcare
- Pension and life assurance
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Flexible and hybrid working where appropriate
- A range of employee wellbeing and development programmes
About Serco
Serco delivers essential services across Defence, Justice & Immigration, Transport, Health and Citizen Services. Every day, our colleagues support governments and organisations to deliver better outcomes for the communities they serve. Join us and help shape the future of workforce strategy within one of our most operationally diverse business units.
Our inclusive recruitment commitment: We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, the Top Great British Employer of Veterans 2026, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.
Ban The Box: We also support fair access for those with unspent criminal convictions through our ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some roles may have security exemptions).
For support with your application, please contact recruitmentuk@serco.com. Let’s impact a better future, together. Apply today.
Head of Workforce Management in Birmingham employer: Serco Group
At Serco, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises safety and professional development. As an Able Seafarer (Crane Operations Lead), you will benefit from competitive salaries, a generous pension scheme, and access to over 1,100 internal courses for continuous learning and career progression. Our commitment to inclusivity and employee wellbeing, alongside unique opportunities to make a meaningful impact in public services, makes Serco a rewarding place to build your maritime career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Workforce Management in Birmingham
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Workforce Management in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to Serco Group.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of Serco Group. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at Serco Group
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with Serco Group, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at Serco Group, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for Serco Group could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at Serco Group as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
