About the job

Job summary

As one of DSIT’s HR Deputy Director, you will play a critical role in developing the DSIT people strategy. You will be working collaboratively and creatively to establish DSIT as a great place to work building on the Machinery of Government changes that brought civil servants together from 3 government departments to form DSIT.

Job description

This is a unique and exciting opportunity for an ambitious and experienced HR leader to help shape the direction of the department and the HR function. Initially, a strong focus of this role will be working with the HRD to build a high-performing HR function for DSIT, alongside supporting the development of shared HR functions between multiple government departments. The role will naturally evolve over time as the HR function is established and the department matures.  
 
You will be recognised as an influencer across HR, DSIT and CSHR, responsible for delivering and collaborating across a multi-disciplinary HR activity, which may including but not limited to the following assortment of areas: 
  
● Pay & Reward   
● Policy and Employee Relations   
● Talent & Resourcing
● HR Strategy
● Inclusion and Culture
● Organisation Design and Development
● Business Partnering
● Strategic Workforce Planning  
● Places  
 
Reporting to the HR Director and with direct line management of HR experts within the relevant field, your teams will be responsible for designing the people systems and practices that will continue to shape the department, going into its second year. You will be at the forefront of the innovative HR shared functions approach and will work collaboratively with supporting departments to ensure effective use of combined HR expertise.

The role holder’s responsibilities include: 
• Providing direct leadership, for a team of HR professionals of various specialisms, responsible for the harmonisation of People policies and systems from DSIT’s 3 legacy departments. 

• Collaborate with the HR Director and senior management to develop HR strategies that align with departmental objectives. Contribute to the formulation of long-term HR plans and policies to support the department.

• Provide challenge, support and development opportunities to individuals within the team, ensuring high-quality performance in their post and as a HR professional. 

• Work collaboratively with other colleagues on the HR and Corporate Services Senior Management Team within DSIT to provide strategic direction, decision and challenge within the HR function. 

• Act as a sounding board to the team and as an escalation route (up to Director General / Permanent Secretary) for any complex issues arising. 

• Lead or participate in HR projects and initiatives aimed at enhancing departmental effectiveness, improving employee experience, and driving HR innovation.

• Work with colleagues from across CSHR to continue to strengthen the HR professions delivery and establishment of the Shared Functional HR services with DSIT.  

Person specification

Essentials - the successful candidate will demonstrate:

The successful candidate will be a strong, credible leader, and will need to show evidence of their capability in the following areas:

• Strong leadership and management skills with the ability to motivate and develop high-performing teams across a wide ranging portfolio of delivery.

• Extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of HR principles and practices.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships at all levels of the department.

• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate business goals into HR initiatives and actions aligned with organisational objectives and implementing plans to address current and future workforce needs.

• Analytical mindset with proficiency in HR analytics and data-driven decision-making.

• Proven track record of driving HR initiatives and delivering results in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

• The ability to deal with ambiguity and pace as well as being able to lead a team through change.  

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and concisely to a range of audiences.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £75,000, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology contributes £20,250 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

To apply for this post please follow the instructions on the CS Jobs website by no later than 23:55 on the 21st May 2024. As part of the application process you are asked to complete the following:
1. A CV setting out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role, relevant achievements in recent posts,
together with reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
2. A Statement of Suitability (no more than 750 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for
the role, with particular reference clearly linked to the essential criteria in the person specification.
3. Final Interview

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.