Deputy Director, Synergy HR Transformation

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP); Glasgow; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is seeking a Deputy Director, Synergy HR Transformation within the Corporate Transformation directorate. The postholder will provide strategic leadership for DWP's contribution to the cross-government Synergy Programme and serve as the senior HR Functional Lead for HR transformation activity.

The role involves shaping HR services, workforce capability and organisational transformation across departmental, cluster and cross-government environments, with a

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading large-scale HR or workforce transformation across complex organisations.
• Proven ability to shape operating models, services and workforce structures using innovative tech-enabled approaches.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and programme boards across boundaries.
• Experience in governance, risk management, delivery assurance, and benefits realisation with measurable outcomes.
• Visible, inclusive leadership with ability to build high-performing teams in ambiguity.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for DWP's contribution to the cross-government Synergy Programme.
• Act as senior HR Functional Lead for HR transformation activity across departments and government.
• Shape the future direction of HR services, workforce capability and organisational transformation.
• Lead partnerships and champion innovation to equip the People Function for future workforce challenges.

Skills

Strategic HR leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Programme governance

Benefits realization

Tools

Oracle HCM

Job description

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is looking to fill Deputy Director, Synergy HR Transformation role within the Corporate Transformation directorate.

As Deputy Director, Synergy HR Transformation, you will provide strategic leadership for DWP's contribution to the cross-government Synergy Programme and act as DWP's senior HR Functional Lead for HR transformation activity.

As DWP's senior HR Functional Lead for the Synergy Programme, you will provide strategic leadership for one of the largest people transformation programmes in government. Operating across departmental, cluster and cross-government environments, you will shape the future of HR services, workforce capability and organisational transformation, ensuring DWP's priorities are represented whilst supporting wider Civil Service reform.

This is a highly influential leadership role at the forefront of government-wide people transformation. The postholder will shape the future direction of HR across DWP and the Synergy Cluster, building strategic partnerships, championing innovation and ensuring the People Function is equipped to meet future workforce and organisational challenges.

The role requires a collaborative and visionary leader who can operate effectively in complex environments, influence at the most senior levels, and balance immediate delivery with long-term transformation ambitions.

Person specification

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate their knowledge, experience and skills against the following essential criteria:

• Significant experience of strategically leading large-scale human resources or workforce transformation across complex, multi-organisation environments.
• A strong track record of shaping and implementing human resources operating models, services, workforce structures and organisational capabilities, using innovative and technology-enabled approaches to improve outcomes and deliver sustainable business benefits.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and programme boards and build trusted partnerships across organisational boundaries.
• Strong programme leadership experience covering business readiness, organisational adoption, governance, risk management, delivery assurance and benefits realisation, with evidence of achieving measurable outcomes.
• Visible, inclusive and collaborative leadership, combining sound analysis and strategic foresight with the ability to build high-performing teams, operate through ambiguity and communicate complex issues clearly.
• Experience of Oracle Human Capital Management (HCM) or another major Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)-enabled transformation.
• Knowledge of position management, job architecture, organisational design or strategic workforce planning.

Closing date for applications: Friday 11th September 2026 at 12 noon