Strategic Workforce Planning Manager

Festival of Work; England; Hybrid; GBP 57,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Hybrid working

Travel across England

Job summary

Cafcass is seeking a Strategic Workforce Planning Manager to develop and lead the organisation's forecasting and establishment oversight across England. You will work with HR, Finance and Analytics to deliver data-driven insights and governance to support resourcing and organisational priorities.

The role requires building planning approaches from the ground up, with a strong emphasis on inclusion and continuous improvement, and flexible/hybrid working with travel as required across England.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in strategic workforce planning and building planning from the ground up.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders through credible insights.
• Strong analytical, planning and reporting skills using HR systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead organisation-wide workforce forecasting and planning initiatives.
• Develop establishment oversight, vacancy controls and governance.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance and Analytics to produce reporting and insights.
• Digitalise workforce planning tools and improve data recording.
• Coordinate with Resourcing, HRBP and OD to align interventions.
• Lead governance groups supporting workforce sustainability and inclusion.

Skills

Strategic planning

Workforce forecasting

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

HR systems / MI

Tools

HRIS

Job description

# Strategic Workforce Planning ManagerCafcassFlexible Across England£56,951 - £59,028 Plus London weighting of £5,951 pro-rate where applicableFull TimeCIPD Member, Non CIPD member18 October 2026View more categories* Job Details* CompanyAt Cafcass, our work supports children and families at some of the most important and difficult moments in their lives, and the experience and support we provide for colleagues is central to how well we deliver that purpose.This is an exciting time to join a HR department which is on a positive journey of change and development, with supporting children and families at the heart of everything it does.The role is a fantastic opportunity to make Cafcass's Strategic Workforce Planning approach your own. We need someone who can build our approach from the ground up, lead strategic planning and continuously improve.**About the role**As Strategic Workforce Planning Manager, you will develop workforce forecasting, establishment oversight, vacancy approval processes, controls, governance and reporting. Working across HR, Finance, analytics and operational teams, you will use data and insight to help leaders make informed decisions and align resourcing activity, people initiatives and organisational priorities.**What you will be doing**You will:* Lead organisation-wide workforce forecasting and planning approaches that respond to current and future needs.* Develop establishment oversight, vacancy approval processes, controls and governance.* Work with HR, Finance and Analytics colleagues to produce workforce data, reporting and insight.* Digitalise and improve workforce planning tools, recording and reporting to support better decision-making.* Partner with Resourcing, HR Business Partnering and Organisational Development colleagues to align people interventions.* Lead governance and project groups that support workforce sustainability, inclusion and organisational effectiveness.**About you**We are seeking someone who can bring:* Hands on experience of strategic workforce planning, a track record of working from the ground up to develop your planning approach.* Strong understanding of supply, demand, establishment controls and workforce forecasting.* Experience advising and influencing senior stakeholders through credible insight and practical recommendations.* Strong analytical, planning and problem-solving skills, including use of HR systems and management information.* A proactive, collaborative and values-led style with a commitment to inclusion and continuous improvement.**Why join Cafcass?**This is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in an organisation with a unique and important purpose.In return, you will be part of an organisation that offers:* Flexible and hybrid working, with regular travel across England where the role requires it.* A supportive, values-led HR team with a clear focus on improvement and colleague experience.* Access to the West Yorkshire Pension Fund, a Local Government Pension Scheme.* 28 days' annual leave, rising to 33 days after five years' continuous service, plus bank/public holidays.**Safeguarding and inclusion**Cafcass is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment.We are also committed to creating an inclusive and diverse working environment where colleagues feel valued, respected and able to do their best work. We welcome applications from people with a range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.If you are interested in this opportunity and want to help Cafcass deliver exceptional outcomes for children and families, we would welcome your application. For enquiries, please contact Chris.O'[e-mail] on website