Robotics Associate Product Manager

About the job

Job summary

Discover a career in your hands at HMRC. Whether you're seeking purpose, growth, or a workplace that gives you a true sense of belonging, hear from some of our employees as they share their story about what it's really like to work at HMRC.

Visit our YouTube channel to watch the full series and come and discover your potential.

Job description
The SO Associate Product Manager for Robotics will provide effective leadership, management and delivery controls to ensure delivery against project milestones, live service targets and release schedules in line with priorities as agreed with the project managers, business and stakeholders.

Championing continuous professional development for individuals within Robotics in a technical capacity and building individual capabilities through coaching, mentoring and giving opportunities for staff to develop.

Identify and monitor team risks and issues, developing mitigating actions and escalation as appropriate. Identify and work with related projects/teams to manage interdependencies.

The role is a key enabler for successful delivery of automation solutions requiring excellent leadership, problem solving, communication, collaborating and partnering skills. The role requires strong negotiation skills to work with suppliers and product owners to ensure the right solutions are identified, developed and deployed.

The HMRC Customer Services Group (CSG) was established in October 2016 and brings together all operational Directorates in a single customer facing organisation. We employ around 30,000 people and are one of the largest customer services organisations in the UK. We have a clear ambition to be the best.

Operational Excellence (OE) was formed in April 2018 and recently migrated to CDIO CSG in March 2020 and is an integral part of HMRC's Customer Services Group, bringing together both the teams that help to drive change and improvements within Customer Services, and the teams which provide support to our operational areas to ensure their smooth running.

Our key purpose is to bring about excellence in Customer Services Group (CSG). We will lead strategic change within CSG, and develop our relationship with the rest of HMRC. We make a measurable difference to the experience of our customers and our colleagues, and our work helps to reduce the cost to serve and drive up the value of all we do.

We work closely with colleagues across HMRC to help administer the operational processes that allow our customers to pay the right amount of tax at the right time, to receive the right amount of benefits, and to manage and protect the UK borders.

Person specification

Key Responsibilities:

• Enable developers to advance the robotics backlog through design, develop, test and deliver automation solutions using the appropriate agile project management methodology/tools; learning and iterating frequently and capturing sprint metrics.
• Remove impediments/blockers to the development team for continuous smooth development/delivery of our product.
• Stakeholder engagement and management: Engage with stakeholders to understand their goals for the service, obtain buy-in from stakeholders for the vision and roadmap for product increments, and maintain good working relationships with stakeholders.
• Work with other product manager(s) to define the roadmap for your service and work with the development team and other areas of the business to translate this into actionable user stories and sprint-by-sprint plans.
• Facilitate the collaborative, dynamic planning process for each sprint, helping development team members to prioritise and self-organise around the work that needs to be completed against their capabilities and capacities.
• Facilitate the regular team agile meetings such as Sprint Planning, Checkpoint calls, Show & Tells and Sprint/Project retrospectives. Mentoring and coaching project members to ensure all are focused on a common goal and working with an Agile mind-set. Will also feedback all levels of communications via appropriate methods and styles.
• Champion continuous improvement by creating a safe and professional environment for staff to feel safe to provide honest feedback during sprint retrospectives that generates increased capability, productivity and quality of our automations and staff.
• Managing and building strong working relationships with Senior Stakeholders within CDIO, CSG, suppliers and other third parties .
• Work in partnership with the Live Services Team to resource and operate a Live Service Support Model that will effectively maintain the CDIO CSG suite of live solutions to agreed quality, gain user insights and robust service level agreements. Furthermore, strive to optimise live solutions to increase on benefits and efficiencies.
• Work in partnership with the Project Teams to ensure end to end delivery lands in the smoothest possible way, and as many blockers are removed in preparation for all team activities to reduce downtime from a technical perspective. This includes ensuring a well validated forward view of the range of technical issues that could affect Robotics Development.
• Safeguard agile ways of working, ensuring that test driven development is at the heart of the teams operating model.
• Liaise with customers, stakeholders and project managers to ensure task progress updates are communicated on a regular basis. The role requires key negotiation skills and a positive persuasive manner as all projects have dependencies on other areas out with the teams' own sphere of influence.
• Act as a visible leader across CDIO CSG working together to build a strong community across all teams.
• Build a strong team ethos to create the right environment to motivate and enable the team to successfully deliver user stories and discovery documents.
• Be a member of wider SLT and ELT role modelling engagement and behaviours, displaying energy and enthusiasm.
• Respect and reward the contribution and achievements of individuals and team.
• Participate in and contribute to the Product Management community of practice: take part in the community of practice through participation in community meetings, and volunteering for community activities and initiatives.

Essential Criteria

• A proven track record in successfully managing teams proficient in agile delivery using NICE software and Microsoft Office Products.
• Experience of understanding problems within a service, product or process, and finding a positive solution to resolve the issue.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams.
• A demonstrable understanding of delivering automation change across multi-delivery teams.
• A demonstrable understanding of developing Robotics and Automation technologies.
• Demonstrably able to visualise, articulate, solve complex problems and concepts and make informed decisions using analytics / data.
• Experience of driving automated continuous improvement processes and outcomes based on user feedback.
• Demonstration of being able to prioritise between multiple requests, based on what is most valuable to do first, and recommend the course of action to take the work forward.

Desirable Criteria

• Professional certifications in product management, agile methodologies or ITIL can be advantageous or ambition to work towards.

Further Location Information

Please ensure that you only apply for a location that you are willing and able to work from, as we will only make one offer of employment. Any additional notes included in a 'Further Location Preferences (optional)' field within the application form, will not be considered. Please be aware that you cannot change your location preference after submitting your application.

Office closures

For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations .

If your location preference is for the following site, it's important to note that this is not a long-term site for HMRC and we will require you to move to a new building in the future, subject to our location strategy and the applicable employee policies at that time.

The site is:

• Benton Park View, Newcastle - moving to Pilgrims Quarter, Newcastle

You will be given more information about what this means at the job offer stage.

Leeds Locations

Moves Adjustment Payment will be available for this role, provided the successful applicant is a current HMRC colleague in Bradford and meets the eligibility requirements outlined in the HMRC's Moves Adjustment Payment guidance.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Managing a Quality Service

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £45,544, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £13,194 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).

HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.

We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.

• Pension - We make contributions to our colleagues' Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary.
• Family friendly policies.
• Personal support.
• Coaching and development.

To find out more about HMRC benefits and find out what it's really like to work for HMRC hear from our insiders or visit Thinking of joining the Civil Service

Things you need to know

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.

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

How to Apply

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide the following:

• A name-blind CV including your job history, qualifications and previous experiences. Your CV should be no more than 500 words.
• A 500-word personal statement. Your personal statement should show how you meet the person specification and essential criteria.
• Separate 250 word statements for the following behaviour:- Managing a Quality Service.

Please complete a separate statement (Max 250 words) for the Desirable Criteria where applicable. This is not essential for the role but may be considered by the vacancy-holder where candidates have the same scores at interview.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Sift

In the event of a large number of applications being received, an initial sift may be held on the Personal Statement.

At full sift your Behaviour statement, your CV and your Personal Statement will be assessed, with the successful candidates being invited to interview.

We may also raise the score required at any stage of the process if we receive a high number of applications.

Interview

During the panel interview, you will be assessed on Experience and Behaviours.

Interviews will take place via video link.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed. Please note that circumstances may arise that require the planned interview format to change. We will endeavour to provide you with as much notice of any change as possible.

Eligibility

Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form . Mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we may not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, or have withdrawn yourself in error and need your application reinstated whilst the campaign is still live, please contact us via: unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk - Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example - 'Please re-open my application - [insert vacancy ref] & vacancy closing date [insert date]'.

To check that you are eligible to apply for this role, please review the eligibility information before submitting your application .

Exceptionally, candidates who are not successful at this grade may be considered for appointment to similar roles at a lower grade where the eligibility criteria are met. If this applies, we will contact you directly.

The HMRC app can help you with your application

The HMRC app can provide you with your past 5 years' employment history, making the process of filling in your application quicker and easier.

If successful in your application, you will need your National Insurance number for the onboarding process.

Download the HMRC app now and save your National Insurance number to your digital phone wallet.

How to download the HMRC app and sign up for an account

Download the free HMRC app from the App Store or Google Play store.

If you have an HMRC online account already, sign straight in using your ID and password. If not, you can prove your identity by answering some questions or providing your photo ID.

You'll then be able to access the app quickly and easily by signing in using a 6-digit PIN, your fingerprint, or facial recognition.

You can find guidance for technical issues on GOV.UK: Technical support with HMRC online services .

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles - if this applies to you, we'll let you know via your Civil Service Jobs account.

Criminal Record Check

Applications received from candidates with a criminal record are considered fairly in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Recruitment of ex-offenders Policy.

Merit List

After interview, a single merit list will be created, and you will only be considered for posts in locations you have expressed a preference for. Appointments will be made in strict merit order in line with the set number of roles in each location.

Hybrid working at HMRC

HMRC is an office-based organisation, and colleagues are expected to spend 60% of their working time in the office. Our offices provide opportunity for interaction, collaboration which aids learning and development and a sense of community. Where the role allows it, and where the home environment is suitable, colleagues can work from home for up to 2 days a week, averaged over a calendar month (or a proportionate amount of time for colleagues who work less than full time).

Reasonable Adjustments

We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact the UBS Recruitment team via unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk as 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.

Technical Support

If you are experiencing problems that cannot be resolved by our ' help ' section, then technical support is available. You will receive a reply in 2 working days.

Important information for existing HMRC contractual homeworkers:

This role may be suitable for existing HMRC employees who are contractual homeworkers. Occasional attendance to the office will be required where there is a business need. Please consider the advertised office locations for this role when applying and only select locations from the 'location preferences' section that you can travel to.

Terms and Conditions

Customer facing roles in HMRC require the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English and/or Welsh where required. Where this is an essential requirement, this will be tested as part of the selection process.

HMRC has a presence in every region of the UK. For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations .

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences.

Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant application(s) will be withdrawn from the process.

Recording of interviews is prohibited unless explicit agreement is sought in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulations.

Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later in this advert.

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.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

New entrants will join on the minimum of the pay band.

Please note that, if you are applying for roles on a part-time basis, the salary agreed will be pro-rata, reflective of the working hours agreed within your contract.

If you experience accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

For more Information for people applying for, or thinking of applying for, roles at HM Revenue and Customs, please see link: Working for HMRC: information for applicants - GOV.UK .

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a standard (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
• 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.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Heather Smith
• Email : heather.smith6@hmrc.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk

Further information
Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of the Recruitment Principles. In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly via ubsrecruitmentcomplaints@hmrc.gov.uk. Please note that we do not accept complaints or appeals regarding scoring of outcomes of campaigns, unless candidates can provide clear evidence that the campaign did not follow the Recruitment Principles. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their website.