Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Deputy Director, HR Transformation
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Location
This role will be contractually based in one of the following main Defra locations – Exeter, Bristol, Birmingham, Warrington, York, Leeds, Newcastle, Nottingham, Reading, London. Regular travel will be required.
Job summary
As Deputy Director, HR Transformation, you will provide strategic leadership for the transformation of Defra Group HR, shaping people services across Defra, its Arm’s Length Bodies and the wider Synergy Cluster.
Job description
You will lead Defra Group HR’s transformation agenda, spanning service redesign, the future operating model, digital and systems modernisation. You will ensure HR meets future organisational needs through modern, efficient and user-centred services that improve employee experience, strengthen workforce outcomes and deliver value for money.
You will support Defra’s contribution to the Synergy Programme, lead development of the HR Target Operating Model, simplify and standardise services, champion digital and AI-enabled innovation, and ensure governance, capability and delivery arrangements are fit for the future.
As a member of the HR Senior Leadership Team, you will help shape the function’s direction. You will create the conditions for sustainable transformation and build a high-performing HR function that supports Defra Group’s long-term ambitions.
The successful candidate will combine strategic leadership with delivery expertise, working confidently in complex environments and translating ambition into practical, measurable outcomes for colleagues, customers and the organisation.
Key responsibilities
Strategic Leadership and Future HR
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- Vision
Lead the development and implementation of Defra Group HR's transformation strategy, ensuring alignment with Defra Group priorities, Group Corporate Services ambitions and wider Civil Service reform.
Act as a trusted adviser to the Chief People Officer, HR Senior Leadership Team and senior stakeholders on transformation, HR service design and implementation.
HR Transformation and Service Modernisation
- Lead the HR Change Programme and oversee delivery of the Defra Group HR transformation portfolio.
Drive the design and implementation of modern, service-oriented HR capabilities that improve customer experience, service quality and organisational performance.
Synergy, Digital and Technology Transformation
- Act as the HR Functional Sponsor for Defra into the Synergy Programme.
Ensure HR readiness for new technologies, business processes and operating models introduced through Synergy and related programmes including TU/ER consultation and engagement.
Lead strategic adoption of digital, automation and AI-enabled solutions to improve efficiency, insight and service delivery.
HR Operating Model, Governance and Organisation Design
- Lead development and implementation of Defra Group HR's Target Operating Model and establish effective service ownership, governance arrangements, accountability frameworks and performance management approaches across the function.
Shape future organisational structures, roles, capabilities and workforce requirements required to support long-term service delivery.
Partnerships, Influence and Stakeholder Leadership
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- Build strong and trusted relationships across Defra Group, Arm's Length Bodies, Group Corporate Services and cross-government transformation communities.
Represent Defra Group HR at senior governance forums and transformation boards.
Governance, Assurance and Benefits Realisation
- Provide senior oversight of programme governance, delivery assurance, risk management and benefits realisation.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- A proven track record of leading large-scale HR transformation, service transformation or business change programmes that have delivered measurable organisational outcomes.
Significant experience designing and implementing operating models, governance frameworks and service delivery arrangements within complex organisations.
Exceptional leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility, secure commitment and lead through ambiguity across multiple senior stakeholder groups.
Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to translate complex transformation programmes into clear business outcomes and compelling change narratives.
Experience leading changes to HR processes, policy and services across the employee lifecycle in a public sector and/or civil service context.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience of delivering digital and technology enabled outcomes at scale including areas such as enterprise technology in shared service environments, analytics, automation, and AI solutions to improve service delivery.
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