Government Actuary's Department
Head of HR Operations
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10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London E14 4PU / Edinburgh Government Hub Queen Elizabeth House, Edinburgh EH8 8FT
Job Summary
Our people are at the heart of GAD’s ability to deliver expert advice and unlock value for government. GAD’s People Strategy underpins our business strategy and is designed to support growth into new policy areas, while strengthening delivery of our core work. We are committed to building a dynamic, flexible talent ecosystem, fostering a culture of inclusion and learning, and delivering excellence for our clients and the UK public sector.
We offer great working benefits, flexible working options and a career where your learning and development is taken seriously.
Job Description
As Head of HR Operations, you will lead a team in the delivery of high-quality, efficient, and compliant HR services that underpin the employee lifecycle. This role requires a confident and emotionally intelligent leader who can manage team dynamics and foster a high performing and collaborative team culture, embed accountability and lead the delivery of impactful operational change. As Deputy support to the HR Director, you will play a pivotal role in directly supporting and shaping the future of HR operations, strengthening people management practices, and ensuring the HR function continues to deliver an outstanding service across the Government Actuary's Department. Working under the direction of the HR Director, the postholder will collaborate closely with the Head of Talent and Skills Development to provide joined-up leadership across the HR team and support delivery of the objectives set out in the People Strategy.
As Head of HR Operations, you will lead a team in the delivery of high-quality, efficient, and compliant HR services that underpin the employee lifecycle. This role requires a confident and emotionally intelligent leader who can manage team dynamics and foster a high performing and collaborative team culture, embed accountability and lead the delivery of impactful operational change. As Deputy support to the HR Director, you will play a pivotal role in directly supporting and shaping the future of HR operations, strengthening people management practices, and ensuring the HR function continues to deliver an outstanding service across the Government Actuary's Department. Working under the direction of the HR Director, the postholder will collaborate closely with the Head of Talent and Skills Development to provide joined-up leadership across the HR team and support delivery of the objectives set out in the People Strategy.
Person specification
Operational Excellence & Compliance
- Lead end-to-end HR operations (recruitment, onboarding, contractual changes, payroll interface, systems, offboarding)
- Ensure HR policies, procedures and compliance frameworks are current, legally sound and aligned with organisational needs
- Ensure full compliance with employment law, civil service policies, data protection and audit requirements, including timely integration of new regulations
- Manage relationships with external providers (e.g. payroll, recruitment) to ensure value for money and service excellence
- Manage the HR Risk Register and lead engagement with the Risk and Governance team.
People, Performance and Continuous Improvement
- Provide motivating and supportive leadership to the HR Operations team, setting clear expectations and fostering professional growth
- Coach and develop team skills, managing overall performance to enable timely, quality-assured service
- Ensure timely, high-quality service delivery, offering first-line advice and guidance to colleagues and managers
- Use HR data, metrics and analysis to identify insight and trends, to make informed decisions that improve organisational effectiveness
- Drive effective project delivery through strategic oversight, providing support and direction to the team, and escalating matters where appropriate.
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Systems, Data and Reporting
- Oversee effective use of the HR information system, ensuring data accuracy and insightful reporting
- Collaborate with internal partners (Finance, IT) to enhance system integration and workforce analytics
- Drive innovation and continuous improvement across HR operations through the effective use of technology, process optimisation, and digital solutions that enhance efficiency, service delivery, and the employee experience.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Leadership
- Delivering at Pace
- Developing Self and Others
- Changing and Improving
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Experience in the Civil Service or wider public sector (Desirable)
- CIPD qualified (Essential)
Alongside your salary of £66,361, Government Actuary's Department contributes £19,224 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
As well as competitive salaries, we offer a substantial package of benefits:
- Exceptional learning and development opportunities that you can explore alongside your day-to-day work.
- 25 days annual leave per year, increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service. In addition, we offer 9 days public and privilege days leave per year (pro rata for part time staff)
- Eligibility to join either the civil service pension scheme or a stakeholder pension scheme.
- 5 days of paid volunteering leave
- Up to 9 months maternity leave on full pay + generous paternity and adoption leave
- Staff reward and recognition bonuses that operate throughout the year.
- Occupational sick pay
- Family-friendly policies such as help with caring responsibilities, special leave, generous paid maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.
- Access to employee assistance programme which offers staff 24/7 confidential support and resources such as counselling, debt guidance and management advice.
- The opportunity to join a trade union.
- A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
- Salary advances for travel costs, including annual season tickets and cycle-to-work schemes.
- Access to the Edenred employee benefits system which offers discounts to popular retailers and access to various useful resources such as financial and savings advice.
- Complimentary BUPA health check.
As this is a fixed term contract, it is recommended that you read and understand this link to find out more find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides as the Alpha rules are different under 2 years continuous service.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
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Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Technical skills.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:
- A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you provide employment history that relates to the essential criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained.
- A Personal statement of up to 500-words explaining how you meet the essential criteria for the role, with particular reference to the criteria provided in the person specification of the JD.
Your CV and Personal Statement will be used to assess the essential criteria listed in the job description.
During the interview you will be assessed on the experience and behaviours listed in the Person Specification and detailed in this advert. The interview will include a presentation, details of which will be sent to those invited to interview.
Application timeline
- Application deadline: 1200 hrs on 08 September 2026
- Shortlisting: w/c 07 September 2026
- Interviews: 28 September 2026
- Interview location: In office (Either London, E14 4PU or Edinburgh, EH8 8FT)
Please apply via our recruitment portal below.
As part of the application form process, please submit your anonymised CV and supporting statement. Please do not email your CV outside of this process as it will not be accepted.
Shortlisting criteria is based on the Person Specification as set out in the Assessment Criteria section of the Job Description. Please ensure you provide examples of how you meet the Assessment Criteria; a strong application will also demonstrate that you meet the required criteria that are identified as key for this role. Applications will be shortlisted in line with the essential criteria for the role. The desirable criteria will not be assessed throughout the recruitment process, but will be used in the event of tied scores between candidates. Behaviours will be assessed at sift and interview stage. Candidates who are successful at shortlist will be contacted as soon as possible and advised of the interview process and assessment (exact times and dates will also be confirmed).
A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Technical skills.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) 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
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