Strategic Lead People & OD (includes ER) 12 month FTC

Your new company
The OrganisationThis is an opportunity to join a large, values-driven public sector organisation at the heart of its community. Committed to delivering high-quality, inclusive services, the organisation is on an ambitious journey to modernise how it supports its people.
With a strong focus on innovation, wellbeing, and continuous improvement, it is investing in digital and AI-enabled transformation to create smarter, more efficient, and user-centred services. Collaboration, integrity, and accountability sit at the core of its culture, alongside a deep commitment to equality, sustainability, and ethical practice.
Your new role
Quick overview: My client has an exciting digital transformation programme in process and in this pivotal post you will be leading the HR and OD in their transformation team. You will be their HR & OD specialist, which will include some elements of both change management and ER work in a unionised and complex environment. This role will range from strategy work, reviewing contracts, developing new job descriptions and person specifications, job banding, working with subject-matter experts, to other OD work etc.
In this senior role, you will need to utilise best practice change management, OD and transformation skills - undertaking critical activities to drive continuous improvement and ensure the organisation delivers its workforce objectives. This is a key leadership role to help improve services through ensuring effective and efficient people management initiatives. Reporting to and supporting the Head of Transformation, a key aspect of this role is influencing at a senior level on the day-to-day delivery of the programme. A key part of this is working in proximity to and providing support for some of the most senior level stakeholders to deliver its workforce objectives.
The details of what this role entails:

Championing and delivering the project.
Leading strategic solutions.
Developing and overseeing the rollout of a strategic OD plan with considerable engagement of wider stakeholders, to the organisation.
Driving transformation by designing, leading, and implementing the plan in relation to change management, role change and staff deployment.
Designing, leading and implementing initiatives to improve staff engagement, experience and skills retention across the programme.
Working with managers and staff representatives to plan and deliver engagement programmes.
Programme resourcing, onboarding and any related management of organisational redesign and change.
Providing workforce planning and resourcing expertise.
Providing expert advice in relation to all aspects of fixed-term contracts, internal moves, internal or external secondments, and other resourcing methods. This role will also involve planning for the movement of staff at the end of fixed terms/secondments.
Utilising systems and developing spreadsheets and report templates for your own and for the use of the team for tracking workforce planning activities, e.g. current and predicted vacancies, recruitment progress, turnover, skills gaps, establishment control, risks and cost pressures etc.
Advising and supporting leads and service colleagues in the management of change whilst ensuring adherence to relevant statutory, consultation and People & OD policies.
Drafting change management plans and associated consultation documents, in line with policies, terms and conditions and employment legislation.
Preparing impact analysis of changes.
Handling highly complex change management employee issues professionally (e.g. group meetings, tribunals, hearings etc.).
Providing specialist advice and support to managers on emotive and complicated issues including redeployment, change management, workplace grievance/disputes disciplinaries and employment relations.
Contributing to corporate policymaking and promoting and supporting policy decisions both internally and externally.
Working closely with the People & OD Teams and undertaking wider HR activities and responsibilities.
What you'll need to succeed

Ideally, you have worked in a large organisation - preferably unionised and public sector but not essential.
Ideally chartered MCIPD or equivalent HR and/or OD qualifications.
Specialist ER & HR knowledge and solid experience aligned to the job role detailed above.
Well versed in working with senior managers to deliver transformation and high-quality services.
Strong expertise in organisational development and strategic level resource planning
Experience of business planning, change management, and developing workforce change strategy.
Experienced in leading the workforce aspects of major change programmes.
Able to foster powerful and productive collaborative working relationships internally and externally.
Ability to analyse and interpret business, financial and workforce data.
What you'll get in return
This is 12 months FTC in a large organisation offering a competitive salary and a full range of benefits including:

Maternity/Adoption/Paternity/Shared Parental Leave, Sickness, emergency special leave for a variety of personal reasons.
Pay Scales which increase with service and performance
Enhanced Annual Leave entitlements: increases with service
Attractive Pension Scheme
Free Access to Health and Wellbeing Apps
24/7 support
National Discount Schemes
Learning and Development Opportunities and career progression, including an impressive Learning Academy
Flexible working opportunities
Staff recognition schemes - Values Champion Awards/Long Service Awards
Freedom to Speak up Guardian/Champions
Cycle parking and access to a staff changing area with showers and drying cabinet.
Flu Vaccinations
Mental Health First Aiders and Trauma Risk Assessment Practitioners
On-site catering, coffee shops, shop & parcel lockers
Manage earnings and access up to 30% of pay when needed prior to pay day (fee applies).
Financial Wellbeing Network (Money & Pensions service), providing financial resources and tools.
Cycle to Work and Car Salary Sacrifice SchemesStaff Networks include:

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Long term conditions & Disability
Ethnic Minorities
LGBTQ+
Gender Equality
Armed forces staff
Carers NetworkSupport Groups:

Bike user Group
Menopause support
Migraine & Headache supportWhat you need to do nowIf you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

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