HR Shared Services Transformation Lead

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities; Wolverhampton; On-site; GBP 67,000; Full time

Job summary

A government department is seeking an HR Shared Service Transformation Lead to spearhead a significant change initiative. The role involves leading a team to reshape HR services as part of the Unity programme. The successful candidate will oversee the transition, ensuring effective change management and engagement with stakeholders. Required qualifications include experience in HR operations, HR technology, and a strong understanding of payroll management. A competitive salary and benefits are offered.

Benefits

Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme

Flexible working

Childcare Voucher Scheme

Qualifications

• Experience of HR Technology and HR technology transformation programmes.
• Understanding of Payroll Management and transition of payroll providers.
• Experience of delivering plans, budgets, and strategies effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of HR subject matter experts to design and implement HR processes.
• Ensure MHCLG engagement throughout the programme lifecycle.
• Oversee HR and Payroll readiness for testing and cutover.

Skills

Experience in HR Operations and HR Shared Service management

Confidence to challenge stakeholders

Technical Knowledge of HR related Technology and Systems

Knowledge of HR Regulations and legislation

Tools

SAP SuccessFactors

HR Payroll systems

Job description

We are seeking an experienced, innovative, and proactive HR leader with a strong track record in delivering both strategic and operational change in the HR Shared Services and Technology area. This is a unique opportunity to shape a transformation programme that will redefine the future of corporate services across MHCLG and our Arm's Length Bodies.

The successful candidate will lead on People Shared Services transformation on behalf of the People, Capability and Change (PCC) directorate and as part of a wider MHCLG team, working with our cross‑Government partners HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Department for Transport (DfT) to deliver a joined‑up, modernised shared service known the 'Unity' programme. Working as part of the programme alongside HMRC and DfT counterparts, you will play a pivotal role in creating a modern, efficient HR service that supports the future of government operations through the design and transition of HR services to the future Unity Technology Services and Unity Business Services.

As HR Shared Service Transformation Lead, you will lead on all elements of the people service transition to the new Unity cluster in the next two years, including effective change management, technological advice, and the move to the new shared services technology and new shared services operational model across the MHCLG family. You will set strategic direction, lead a team of HR process experts, and champion opportunities for improvement across the wider organisation. You will work collaboratively with colleagues in MHCLG and across the Unity cluster to deliver the vision and strategy for HR transformation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and Inspire: Manage a team of HR subject matter experts (directly and through matrix arrangements) to design, deliver and implement HR processes and services across the employee lifecycle, aligned to SAP and supporting systems;
• Drive Engagement: Ensure MHCLG is fully engaged throughout the programme lifecycle, empowering teams to challenge and contribute effectively and shape change and business management;
• Oversee Delivery: Maintain momentum and oversight of HR and Payroll readiness for testing and cutover, ensuring timely SME input from MHCLG and its Arm's Length Bodies, with an acute awareness of planning and risk management;
• Shape Requirements: Own and review HR requirements, prioritising effectively and managing exceptions for configuration or customisation;
• Align Policy and Process: Ensure HR policy is embedded in decision‑making, highlighting areas of divergence and commonality within MHCLG and across the Unity cluster, and aligning to best practice where possible on process and policy;
• Collaborate Across Functions: Work with cross‑functional colleagues to deliver consistent processes and narratives;
• Manage Risk: Lead on HR risk identification and mitigation strategies;
• Benefit Realisation: Partner with programme teams to identify and deliver cashable and non‑cashable benefits across departments;
• Ensure Data Integrity: Collaborate with Data and Security teams to manage changes in HR data handling and ownership, ensuring compliance and security;
• Contribute to Leadership: Actively participate in the programme's senior leadership team, sponsoring initiatives and driving wider engagement.

Leadership Behaviours

• Experience: What experience would you bring to the role? This question will be scored against the experience listed in the advert.
• Leadership: Describe a time when you've led a digital HR transformation. Your answer should cover the impact of your personal leadership. (250‑word limit per question.)

When writing your application, remember:

• The assessor won't be reading your answers sequentially;
• Do not assume that the same assessors will have read all of your answers;
• If talking about something in your first answer, write the second answer as if you had not written the first (and so on!)
• There is a 250‑word limit per question;
• Most of our campaigns utilise multiple assessors and so it is possible that each of your answers would be viewed by different assessors.

In the event that we receive a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift using the lead behaviour listed in the advert. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview.

Stage 2: Interview

• Behaviours: Leadership, Communicating and Influencing, Changing and Improving;
• Candidates will be asked to prepare a 5‑minute presentation, further details will be provided on invitation to interview.

Sift and Interview Dates

We will be reviewing applications and conducting interviews on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Interviews are currently being held remotely via videocall. This could be subject to change.

Application Process

• Security Clearance Requirements;
• Civil Service Nationality Requirements;
• Right to Work;
• Artificial Intelligence;
• Civil Service Code and Recruitment Principles;
• CV Declaration;
• Sponsorships;
• Salary and Grade;
• Existing Civil Servants;
• Conflict of Interest;
• Location and Flexible Working;
• Fixed Term Contracts;
• Internal Fraud Database - Internal Fraud Register;
• Appeals and Complaints;
• Conflict of Interest;
• Security Clearance Requirements (National Office: BPSS);
• Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Nationality Requirements

• UK nationals;
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland;
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK;
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS);
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre‑settled status under the EUSS;
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020;
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

Required Experience

• Experience of HR Operations and HR Shared Service management;
• Experience of HR Technology and HR technology transformation programmes (e.g. ERP, Cloud transformation and migration);
• Understanding of Payroll Management and transition of payroll providers;
• Experience of HR process transformation, continuous improvement and/or modernisation;
• Experience of delivering plans, budgets and strategies effectively, from design to implementation, to cost and time;
• Experience of vendor management / managing suppliers.

Additional Skills

• Confidence to challenge stakeholders whilst maintaining a respectful and productive working relationship and environment;
• Technical Knowledge of HR related Technology and Systems, including processes and products (preferably SAP SuccessFactors);
• Knowledge of HR Payroll systems and the migration of HR payroll systems as part of technological transformation;
• Knowledge of HR Taxonomy, processes and operational requirements for a HR function;
• Knowledge of HR Regulations and legislation relating to HR operational services and payroll.

Compensation & Benefits

Alongside your salary of £66,620, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government contributes £19,299 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

At MHCLG we offer many benefits that range from tailored career pathways and flexible working to MyLifestyle Childcare Voucher and Cycle to Work Schemes. For more information, please click here.