Head of Learning Transformation

The Head of Learning Transformation will lead the detailed design and implementation of a new operating model for learning and capability across HMRC (over 60,000 employees), ensuring we maintain momentum in our transformation journey following the successful launch of the HMRC Digital Academy last year.  The new model features Capability Academies supported by a strategic, expert central capability function. You will bring thought leadership and external perspectives to our approach, ensuring the model enables an experience, exposure, education approach to building capability, links learning to career pathways and maximises the latest learning technologies. You will also provide oversight and assurance of the planning, inter-dependencies, delivery and outcomes of the wider Learning Transformation Programme, supporting and deputising for the Programme Director.

This is a senior leadership position which will involve working with high degrees of complexity and ambiguity and leading and delivering HMRC enterprise-wide change. You will work across boundaries and be comfortable with matrix and peer management as well as working with a diverse range of stakeholders at all levels. You will engage and lead others through change taking a people-centric approach and ensure an inclusive and supportive environment in which colleagues are able to contribute and feel their views are heard.

This critical role will be instrumental in enabling us to transform our approach to building capability, improving colleague experience and ensuring we have the skills and capabilities to deliver HMRC’s core purpose, now and in the future.

Job Description

• Lead the detailed design and delivery of the agreed new operating model for learning and capability, ensuring there are robust delivery, risk management, implementation and benefits plans as well as transition states.
• Engage and lead others through change within own directorate and across HMRC, ensuring a people-centric approach to change.
• Effectively manage delegated budgets, ensuring value for money and lead on benefits realisation for the programme.
• Ensure stakeholder / business requirements and outcomes are understood and inform programme plans.
• Lead, coach and develop a multi-disciplinary team of professionals, ensuring high performance and fostering an inclusive, supportive environment.
• Ensure we have the right subject matter expertise to deliver programme outcomes, working collaboratively with colleagues internally and across government, maximising opportunities to take a joined-up, best value approach.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure plans for Learning Transformation are aligned to broader people and business strategies and change, such as strategic workforce planning, HMRC’s People Strategy and HMRC’s Future Operating State.
• Forge and maintain professional credible relationships with all stakeholders whilst building long lasting external relationships and networks.
• Ensure Equality, Diversity and Inclusion considerations are incorporated into programme plans and operating model design.
• Share and engage in the HMRC Learning Transformation story internally and externally, communicating and securing commitment to the vision.
• Stay abreast of the latest thinking, trends, products and opportunities in learning, capability building and transformation, proactively seeking out new and innovative ways to build capability.
• Be creative, think big and outside the box; challenge the status quo and generate solutions to new and existing capability and business challenges, translating these into specific interventions which deliver clear outcomes.

Person specification

• A qualified learning and/or programme delivery professional with experience of leading complex learning/capability transformation programmes.
• Experience of operating model design and implementation.
• Experience of leading or designing/implementing Capability Academies is desirable.
• Excellent stakeholder management and consultancy skills, with the confidence and ability to navigate diverse and conflicting stakeholder views and interests at all levels. 
• Experienced leader with an inclusive and empowering leadership style with a track record of leading high-performing teams to deliver results.
• Demonstrable data and insight driven approach.
• A high level of written and oral communication skills and the ability, confidence and credibility to influence and negotiate effectively, persuasively and sensitively at all levels.
• Resilient, with the ability to quickly adapt and respond to changing circumstances or priorities and operate in an environment of change and ambiguity.
• Results, outcomes, and business value orientated with ability to balance innovation with pragmatism and strategic with tactical.
• A strategic growth mind-set with a curiosity to learn and grow yourself, learn from mistakes and be open to new ideas. 

Essential Criteria: 

• A qualified project management and/or learning professional with significant experience in programme delivery in a strategic learning / capability context. We are looking for the successful applicant to hold a relevant qualification in programme delivery and/or learning, for example CIPD, APM/PRINCE 2 Project Management or similar.
• Deep expertise in strategic learning and capability building, demonstrating thought leadership and innovation in this field.
• Experience of leading complex transformation, preferably within large, complex, regulated organisations with a track record of delivering enterprise outcomes / benefits.
• Evidence of taking a people-centric approach to change.

Qualifications

• A qualified project management and/or learning professional with significant experience in programme delivery in a strategic learning / capability context. We are looking for the successful applicant to hold a relevant qualification in programme delivery and/or learning, for example CIPD, APM/PRINCE 2 Project Management or similar.]

 

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

• Leadership
• Working Together
• Changing and Improving
• Seeing the Big Picture

 

Technical skills

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

• You will also be asked to prepare a 5-7 minute presentation and the brief for the presentation will be released to you upon notification of selection for interview

 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £66,957, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £18,078 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
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 27% 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
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

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.
A 1000-word personal statement.
Your CV will be scored against the experience required, as outlined in the advert. 
 
Your Personal Statement should be used to evidence how your skills, experience and personal attributes would be suitable for the advertised role and will be scored against the essential criteria and person specification outlined in the advert.  

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

Sift 

At sift 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 

Should you be selected, interviews will be held virtually. During the panel interview, your experience will be assessed, and you will be asked behaviour-based questions to explore in detail what you are capable of, along with some strength-based questions to also explore what you enjoy and your motivations relevant to the job role.

This is an example of a strengths-based question: 

“It is often said that the customer's needs should come first. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?” 

There is no expectation or requirement for you to prepare for the strengths-based questions in advance of the interview, though you may find it helpful to spend some time reflecting on what you enjoy doing and what you do well.

You will also be asked to prepare a 5-7 minute presentation and the brief for the presentation will be released to you upon notification of selection for interview. 

Notes 

Subject to the successful candidate meeting specific eligibility criteria this role attracts a non-consolidated non-pensionable critical role allowance of £5,000 a year approved up to 18 months from start date. 

Interviews will take place via video link. Sift and interview dates to be confirmed. 

Eligibility 

Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. We understand mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we will not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake, please contact us via: ubsrecruitmentexcellence@hmrc.gov.uk – Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example – ‘Please re-open my application – 365136 & vacancy closing date 27/08/2024’

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