Overview

We’re looking for an exceptional Head of Strategic Workforce Planning to join our People and Capability Group, leading critical initiatives that shape DWP’s future and deliver measurable impact. DWP is the UK’s largest public service department, supporting over 20 million people annually.

The People and Capability Group leads on HR, Health & Safety, Organisation Development, and Learning Design and Delivery, supporting around 85,000 colleagues across 980 sites. We enable DWP’s transformation and deliver its strategic priorities through our people.

Your Role and Impact

As Head of Strategic Workforce Planning, you’ll drive the development and delivery of DWP’s workforce and resourcing strategies, enabling informed decision-making at senior levels. You’ll lead the 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. You’ll champion a culture of compliance and challenge non-compliance to protect organisational integrity. You’ll lead the 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. You’ll embrace innovation and continuous improvement, drawing insights from across government and external partners, building capability across the workforce planning community, and leading a high-performing team to new standards of excellence.

What skills and experience do you need? How will this be assessed?

You’ll 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 ability to present complex ideas, data, and analysis in a visually accessible way to enable senior decision-making at strategic level. Strong Excel skills with the ability to interpret, manipulate and produce data modelling for fast-paced corporate requests.
• Experience in building and leading multi-disciplinary diverse teams, motivating and setting direction in ambiguity, and developing capability so teams are recognised as professional experts.
• Ability to respond to changing business requirements at pace and translate business strategy into workforce implications (long-term workforce trends, scenario planning, forecasting).
• Creative problem solver with the ability to interpret complex organisational strategies and operating models. Experience using long-term workforce trends, scenario planning, and forecasting to evaluate risks and develop innovative yet pragmatic resourcing solutions aligned with estates strategy and fiscal constraints while ensuring compliance with legislative requirements.
• Advocate for change and innovation within strategic resourcing, using evidence, insights, and best practice to continuously improve resourcing processes and support delivery of changes through engagement and evaluation.

Qualifications: Chartered Member of CIPD or willing to work towards this upon commencement of the role.

Location & Work Model

Location: Leeds, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Birmingham, Sheffield (location best suited to you).

Hybrid Working: Hybrid model – some time at home and some time in a hub.

Salary & Benefits

Pay: Up to £80,267.

Pension: Civil service pension with employer contributions worth 28.97%.

Holidays: 26 days starting, rising to 31 days over time. Up to 3 extra days off a month on flexi-time, plus public holidays.

Employee Value

Broad benefits package focused on work-life balance, including:

• 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, activities, and more
• Interest-free loans for bike or season ticket purchases
• Sports and social activities
• Professional development, coaching, mentoring and career progression opportunities

Seniorities & Employment

• Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Government Administration