About the job

Job summary

Reporting to the Director of HR, the Deputy Director- HR Operations is a member of the Senior Leadership Team of the DfE’s HR Directorate.

Working as part of a team of Deputy Directors, the portfolio for this role comprises leadership of a team of c60 FTE, responsible for delivering first class HR services and specialist advice.

Job description

This role operates in a complex and fast-moving environment, and as a member of the Senior Leadership Team of the HR & Transformation Directorate. The following responsibilities will apply: 

• Supporting the Director, HR & Transformation with delivery of our People Strategy which will provide direction to the organisation and enable achievement of the organisation’s vision and strategic objectives. The post holder will work with the Director to agree and implement a new Operating Model for delivery of HR services within the DfE’s HR Directorate
• Leading a team of high-performing Resourcing and Recruitment Team including ensuring that the department has the right strategies in places to attract diverse talent into the organisation. In DfE we have a fully inhouse recruitment service (onboarded 2000+ staff last year) that includes SCS, Public Appointment and Non-Exec recruitment. Provides one of the fastest recruitment processes in Government (TTH for external 88 days and internal 63 days on average).
• The management, development and running of our HR platform (Workday) and our HR contact centre (operated via Zendesk). The role holder is also a critical member of the cross-departmental Colleague Experience Programme, seeking to deliver innovative, AI enabled interactions with corporate services.
• Leading the department’s Casework and Specialist Advice Team. We outsource straightforward casework to the CS Casework Service but retain management of our most complex cases in-house. The role holder will manage the outsourcing relationship and lead the in-house team. The role holder will act as senior decision maker on casework; all serious cases that carry significant risk are referred to this DD for handling (including developing media lines).
• Acting as the lead Nominated Officer for DfE and Agencies, a trusted point of contact for anyone wishing to raise a concern (breach of the Civil Service Code) about the department and its employees.
• Leading the delivery of Occupational Health and Employee Assistance, delivered in partnership with our contracted providers.
• Leading the high performing HR Advice and Actions Centre (we process 2,500 transactions per month and with a 95% satisfaction score). The role holder needs to embrace continuous improvement and will strive to ensure that the experience of colleagues in our organisation is placed at the centre of all we do.
• Attracting and retaining/ building an inclusive, high performing and professional team. Delivering transformation and high performance with, and through, colleagues, demonstrating inspirational leadership, people management, and organisational design and development expertise. Effectively coaching and mentoring the team, both on an individual and team level, to drive high performance.
• Managing budgets, resources, and expenditure proposals for the areas of direct accountability and as a member of the department’s senior leadership team delivering HR programmes, achieving further efficiencies and maintaining an effective HR workforce headcount ratio.
• Undertake an active leadership role in the HR Directorate, the wider department and Civil Service HR Profession, role modelling HR professional and inclusive leadership behaviours. The role holder will be required to deputise for the HR Director at times.

Person specification

Applicants will be assessed against the following criteria. If applicant numbers are excessive, preliminary sifting will be done using only the first criteria.

It is important that, through your CV and Statement of Suitability, you provide evidence and examples of proven experience for each of the selection criteria detailed.​

• Building and managing relationships and partnerships - influencing, consulting and negotiating at a strategic level, securing the confidence of both internal and external senior stakeholders. ​
• Using data and evidence to make decisions and influence - interpreting complex data at a strategic level to create and present evidence based insight. Using data to highlight risks to customers and to drive excellence in HR systems and practice. Encouraging others to do the same. ​
• Leadership of high performing teams - building an inclusive, high performing and professional HR team. Delivering transformation and high performance with, and through, colleagues, demonstrating inspirational leadership, people management, organisational design and development expertise.  Effectively coaching and mentoring, both on an individual and team level, to drive high performance. Enhancing the capability of a workforce, taking into consideration the needs of different groups, to raise standards and drive delivery. ​
• Leading HR operations and services – relevant experience of leading teams to delivery first class HR operational services.​

Benefits

Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies.

As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK, with an average employer contribution of 27%.

You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years’ service. In addition, all staff receive the King’s Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days’ bank and public holidays.

We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours. 

Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances, but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.

Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.

As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

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

Application

To apply for this role, you need to complete an online application via the Civil Service Jobs portal.  Applications will be accepted until 23:55 on Monday 3 June 2024.

1. A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years and also your Technical Requirements as outlined in slide 7 – “Who are we looking for”.
2. A Statement of Suitability (no longer than 2 sides or 1,000 words) detailing ‘why should we consider you for this role’ (up to 500 words) and why you have chosen the Department for Education (up to 500 words). You can choose to outline any further information you believe is relevant for the role or further demonstrates.

Failure to submit both documents will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification.

If you are unable to apply online please contact scs.recruitment@education.gov.uk in the first instance. Please visit our career site for further information on the Civil Service application process.

Please note the following:

• we cannot accept applications submitted after the closing date;
• applications will be assessed solely on the documentation provided;
• please refer to the advert and checklist above to ensure you have provided everything requested;
• applications will be acknowledged upon receipt;
• feedback will only be given to candidates unsuccessful following interview

Selection Process

Shortlisted candidates will:

• Take part in a Staff Engagement Panel (which typically takes up to 1 hour to complete), to be held week commencing 17 June.
• Undertake an Individual Leadership Assessment with an Occupational Psychologist, to be held week commencing 17 June.

Following the above assessments, a formal panel interview on week commencing 1 July 2024.  These interviews will be held in London.  You will be asked to prepare a presentation for the interview (further information will be shared with shortlisted candidates) and you will be asked questions to further assess your Experience and Strengths using the Civil Service Strengths Dictionary.

As part of the recruitment process, we may request references. Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.

Please note that at interview stage we may ask if you have any conflicts of interest to declare.

Candidates with disabilities

As an employer we are committed to promoting and protecting the physical and mental health and wellbeing of all our colleagues and applicants. The Department for Education uses the Disability Confident scheme (formerly the Guaranteed Interview scheme) to help widen employment opportunities for disabled people. Applicants with disabilities who meet the essential criteria, as stated in the person specification, the Civil Service nationality requirements and indicate they are applying under the Disability Confident scheme will be guaranteed an interview.

To apply under the Disability Confident scheme please contact scs.recruitment@education.gov.uk

Employment scheme for Veterans

The ‘Great Place to Work for Veterans scheme’ makes it easier for veterans to join the Civil Service. If you opt into the scheme and meet the minimum criteria, you’ll progress to the next stage for most roles – whether that’s an interview or an online test.

To apply under the scheme, please contact scs.recruitment@education.gov.uk

For an accessible version of the candidate pack, please contact scs.recruitment@education.gov.uk

Other Information

We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.

The government is committed to supporting apprenticeships, enabling people to learn and progress in a role whilst earning. We want to monitor the number of people who have completed apprenticeships who are now applying to progress further in their career and are asking this question to all candidates, on all vacancies. You will be asked a question as part of the application process about any previous apprenticeships you have completed. Your response to this question will not affect your application and it is not a requirement of the role to have completed a previous apprenticeship.  

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFE@education.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. 

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs

Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.

Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.

Reasonable adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Department of Education via centralrecruitment.operations@education.gov.uk soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

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 (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• 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) (opens in a new window)
• 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 European Union Settlement Scheme (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

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) 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.