Head of HR Delivery

Job summary

At DSIT we’re all about improving people’s lives by maximising the potential of science & technology.

We accelerate innovation, investment and productivity through world-class science, research and development.

We use technology for good by ensuring new and existing technologies are safely developed and deployed across the UK, with the benefits more widely shared.

We are driving forward a modern digital government which gives citizens a more satisfying experience and their time back.

We do all this to enable the Government’s 5 national missions: kickstarting economic growth, making Britain a clean energy superpower, taking back our streets, breaking down barriers to opportunity and building an NHS fit for the future.

Above all, we focus on improving people’s lives. Whether it’s researching new treatments for disease, developing better batteries, reducing burdens through better public services, keeping children safe online, and much more, outcomes for citizens are at the heart of what we do.

Our Inclusive Environment

We offer flexible working benefits, employee well-being support and a great pension. We are enormously proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We support candidates with adjustments throughout our recruitment process. Information about disability confidence and just some examples of the adjustments that you can request can be found in the reasonable adjustment section below.

Please note

Former DSIT recruitment campaigns are continuing as usual, but candidates should be aware that following the Government’s announcement on the changes to some civil service departments, roles will be subject to the machinery of government moves and will ultimately be in one of the new departments. We will provide more information if you are selected for a role. This work remains of high importance to the civil service, and we thank you for your continued interest.

Job description

The Matrix Programme is a transformation initiative involving 7 Departments (listed at end). It is a unique cross-government collaboration that will unlock simpler, better, and more joined up working by bringing together the systems, processes, and ways of working for key government functions such as HR, Finance or Procurement, commonly known as Shared Services.​ ​

The Programme is part of the Shared Services Team within DSIT, a fantastic team passionate about improving the existing shared services experience for DSIT and its partners, whilst working to deliver the strategic objectives of the Government Shared Services Strategy, which are:​

• Better experience for all users - intuitive systems that are easy to use and mobile-enabled.​
• Efficiency and value for money - better systems and services which support productivity and seek to reduce costs.​
• Standardised processes and data - support interoperability, making it easier to understand and compare corporate data.​

Over the coming months we’ll be preparing to roll out Neo, our powerful new HR and Finance technology and service for the Matrix cluster - driving a more modern, digital government. Neo is a cloud-based system, powered by Workday that will replace legacy HR and finance technology and offline processes. Designed to streamline administrative activities and promote intuitive self-service, Neo is enabling time back to focus on what we value the most – serving the public. Moreover, Neo’s adoption means we are harnessing the power of shared technology at scale. This unified way of working delivers better, more accurate data - eliminating errors, creating one trusted source of truth and accurate reporting. Neo is more than just a new system; it’s enabling us to be data-led, to work smarter, respond faster and deliver services that truly meet the needs of the public. ​

The Departments forming the Matrix Programme include: Cabinet Office (CO), Department for Science Innovation and Technology (DSIT), Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS), Department for Business Trade (DBT), Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), Department for Education (DfE), and His Majesty's Treasury (HMT).​

Person specification

Short Summary:

The role will form part of the core Matrix Programme team, working with and on behalf of seven departments across the cluster to deliver the introduction of modern technologies, services and ways of working. A key requirement for successful delivery of the programme is ensuring that the functions across all departments are fully engaged and involved. We are looking for an established HR leader to work with the Deputy Director for HR Assurance to lead the HR activity across the programme, owning and managing the relationship between the HR teams across the cluster.

The postholder will play a pivotal role in overseeing the people aspects of the programme, including establishing the Neo Centre Office (NCO), supporting the TUPE/COSoP transition of staff into the shared services provider (UKSBS) and NCO, managing engagement with Trade Unions across the cluster, leading the programme’s compliance with its commitments under the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED), as well as driving wider decisions on HR convergence.​

Key Responsibilities include but not limited to:​

• Quickly build trust and credibility with senior stakeholders across the programme, using professional HR expertise to provide sound advice, leadership and direction on a broad range of HR and people activities, including securing agreement on people processes to drive convergence across the cluster.​
• Work with the Matrix Resourcing Team and Integrated Corporate Services to coordinate and oversee the end-to-end recruitment process to establish the NCO, our strategic service management function for the Neo Service.​
• Lead Trade Union engagement for the programme, maintaining agreed routes for engagement and working with departmental teams to ensure appropriate and timely consultation with Trade Unions and staff on people related matters.​
• Lead on providing the HR elements to future iterations of the programme business case and on working with colleagues across the programme to maintain oversight of the programme’s compliance with PSED. ​
• Support the wider team and departments with preparations and implementation of TUPE transfers to UK Shared Business Services and COSoP transfers to the Neo Centre Office. ​
• With support from a G7 Delivery Lead, oversee the management and preparation for fortnightly HR Director Authority meetings which includes representation from Chief People Officers from across the cluster, ensuring that discussions are targeted on the right things at the right time, in line with wider programme developments. ​
• Work across the programme to influence the development of strategic recommendations for Chief People Officers in line with programme design principles, ensuring agreement through formal programme governance structures.​
• Support work to deliver a transformed recruitment system and service across the cluster. ​
• Contribute to the programme’s recently formed People Board, leveraging your HR experience to make this a purposeful and insightful forum to embed people considerations across the programme; from workforce planning to engagement & wellbeing.​
• Status, risk and issue reporting in line with programme requirements. ​
• Deputising for the DD for HR Assurance as needed with programme leadership, HR Directors and other senior stakeholders. ​
• Line management of 3 Grade 7 staff.

As a line manager, you will be responsible for working with your members of staff to define their objectives, as well as managing their development and performance.

Essential Criteria

• The postholder must have already achieved or should be working towards MCIPD membership. ​
• Significant HR experience and expertise (ideally across a range of specialisms) with the ability to confidently speak and advise on HR / people matters.​
• Experience of working in a programme or project environment.​
• Experience of leading or advising on TUPE/COSoP exercises ​
• Excellent leadership skills with a proven ability to inspire confidence from senior leadership and external stakeholders. ​
• A strong collaborator, with a proven ability to build effective relationships and influence at all levels. ​
• Ability to use initiative to work through problems at pace, challenging and supporting functional colleagues as needed to secure positive outcomes. ​
• Highly organised, with the ability to quickly understand and assess issues, set direction and lead others to drive change. ​
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to analyse accurately and effectively.​
• Ability to deliver at pace and comfortable working with ambiguity.

Desirable Criteria

• Change management experience or an industry recognised qualification, such as APMG Change Management Practitioner or PROSCI.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £69,675, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes

£20,184 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology offers a competitive mix of benefits including:

• A culture of flexible working, such as job sharing, homeworking and compressed hours.
• Automatic enrolment into the Civil Service Pension Scheme , with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
• An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities, which all staff are actively encouraged to pursue.
• Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.

Office attendance

The Department operates a discretionary hybrid working policy, which provides for a combination of working hours from your place of work and from your home in the UK. The current expectation for staff is to attend the office or non-home based location for 40-60% of the time over the accounting period.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Please use your personal statement (in no more than 750 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential requirements highlighted. You may also choose to reference the desirable skills listed however these will not be considered in the assessment of your application except in circumstances where there are a high number and calibre of candidates.

Applications will be sifted on CV and Personal Statement.

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the personal statement only.

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed strai