Would you embrace the opportunity to take on a cross-cutting leadership role in delivering the UK's biggest infrastructure project?
Do you enjoy collaborating with and influencing a diverse group of senior leaders?
If so, we have an exciting opportunity available!
As Head of Programme Resource, Governance and Culture, you will sit at the heart of the Major Rail Projects Group (MRPG), who sponsor the development and delivery of High Speed 2 (HS2) and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR). You will join the group at an important moment, when we are improving delivery of phase 1 of HS2 while also planning future rail infrastructure projects to deliver important economic growth benefits.
You will have a pivotal role in ensuring that MRPG has the right resources, capability and culture, including overseeing and implementing the skills and structures required to successfully deliver its capability as a sponsor of Governments largest infrastructure project. This will include working closely with the Director General and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to identify the resource and capability requirements at different stages of the programmes, identifying capability gaps in the Group and making the most effective use of our workforce.
You will play a key role in ensuring that the Group has both effective and productive relationships with HS2 Ltd, from the most senior through to junior levels, as well as leading the Group's formal governance processes. This will include providing leadership and oversight of the HS2 Sponsor Board, HS2 Ministerial Task Force, and Tier 2 investment Board.
You will have the autonomy to shape this role, adapting to the evolving requirements of the projects while gaining exposure to a range of senior leaders, both within and external to the department. This provides an ideal opportunity for professional growth and development.
Your key responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
- Acting as a central co-ordinator for resourcing/recruitment activity across the group to ensure directorates are progressing their recruitment activity and reporting on progress to SLT.
- Effectively leading the programme's governance arrangements, working with senior leaders and stakeholders to evolve them to drive programme delivery.
- Assessing sponsorship capability across the Group's projects and working with key stakeholders to implement interventions, addressing capability gaps and ensuring the Group has the right culture and behaviours at all levels.
- Supporting the Portfolio Management Director in ensuring that there are positive and effective relationships at all levels with HS2 Ltd.
- Overseeing the running of the Director General's Private Office, ensuring it is proactive and responsive to the priorities of both the Department and programme delivery.
For further information, please see the attached Role Profile.
Person specification
About you
You will have excellent interpersonal skills, enabling you to effectively collaborate with a wide range of senior stakeholders. You will develop trusted working relationships, instilling confidence in stakeholders and enabling you to influence where required. You will be articulate and confident when communicating, ensuring positive and effective communication between the Director General, the wider group and stakeholders.
You will be a confident leader and strategic thinker with experience of leading through change within a project/programme delivery environment. You will be a highly organised and proactive individual who is confident using your initiative and will thrive having the autonomy to shape your role, whilst being comfortable with ambiguity. You will have experience using governance processes to improve programme design and delivery.
To read more about the role and for information on how to apply, please visit our advert on Civil Service Jobs