Workforce Development Manager
About the Role
As a member of the Organisational and Workforce Development (OWD) team you are working closely with the Strategic Lead for OD and responsible for the line management of Senior OD Advisers. Key areas of the role will include developing the Workforce Development strategy, its implementation, and integration to support the current and future business needs. Work collaboratively with customers at all levels to help determine the best approach to meeting workforce development requirements and help to shape and influence the development of plans and activities that enable the delivery of the desired change.
There several projects that you will be focusing on including taking the lead role on the EDI Action Plan, working with HR colleagues to develop a values and behaviours framework, health and well being initiatives and learning and development for all staff. No 2 days are the same. There are great opportunities to build your CV, by getting involved in organisational projects, and being the subject matter expert, to being part of project groups to undertaking administrative tasks for the team!
You will also be required to undertake assigned projects within the spectrum of OD streams such as:
- Design and delivery of leadership and management development programmes.
- Lead on graduate recruitment and development activities (including the National Graduate Development Programme for the LGA).
- Employee development and talent management strategies, plans and provision.
- Lead on the delivery of the workforce learning and performance management and development cycle.
- Bespoke training and high priority learning interventions.
- Supporting wider Organisational Development activities and events, to ensure these are integrated and form part of a programmed approach.
- Influence and develop a range of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion interventions.
- Lead on the delivery of Wellbeing initiatives.
There is hybrid working and colleagues are expected to be in the office at least one day a week. Each month the OWD team meets in person.
About Us
The Royal Borough of Kingston and the London Borough of Sutton employ nearly 500 staff across its shared services in HR, Finance, Customer Service, Neighbourhoods, Environment and ICT. This is a highly rewarding way of working that will help you develop new skills as you manage relationships and provide a consistent service across multiple partners.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a progressive HR and Organisational Development (OD) Shared Service that focuses on our customers’ needs across Kingston Council, Sutton Council and our traded services. We are building a strategically focused OD service that is responsive to our internal customer needs and enables them to provide the services needed for the communities we work with. This is a great place to be a HR and OD Professional.
We are an award winning HR Shared Service, because people are at the heart of everything we do and our Service is very proud to have won the MJ Award for community diversity and inclusion, 2022.
The OWD is a small, friendly and supportive team. We are fortunate to have colleagues with a wealth of experience, knowledge and skills on all aspects of HR & OD. There will 2FTE Senior OD Advisers. The HR apprentice will be managed by one of the Senior OD advisers.
About You
To be a successful Workforce Development Manager:
- Evidenced by Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) level 5 qualified or part qualified, equivalent qualification and/or evidence of equivalent knowledge and experience.
- Detailed understanding of Organisational Development and successful track record in the delivery of organisational change and learning and development projects, initiatives and interventions.
- Experience of leading on specific OD related projects and initiatives and managing/co-ordinating the activity of others to deliver results.
- Experience of commissioning and managing the work of external providers and consultants on large scale engagement, L&D and OD programmes.
- Experience of engaging with stakeholders across all levels of the organisation to use their knowledge and feedback to improve services.
- Experience of working with external partners, key agencies and other stakeholders in delivering operational services.
- A good knowledge of talent and succession planning, with an experience and understanding of the initiatives to ‘grow our own talent’ (i.e.. Apprenticeships; Work Experience; Professional Schemes e.g. ASYE; and Graduate programmes).
- Able to manage conflicting priorities and determine where to focus efforts to deliver work and projects on time and to a high professional standard that enhances the reputation of the service and meets organisational objectives.
- Able to work flexibly as part of a team and wider service and adapt to changing circumstances and act as a role model for the council's values and behaviours
- Able to show commercial/business-like approach to learning including an ability to identify alternative sources of funding for learning and selling places on programmes externally.
For more in-depth information about the role, please refer to the job description attached at the bottom of the page.
Our Offer To You
As an organisation that values and nurtures talent, we’re committed to helping you fulfil your potential and will offer you a supportive, friendly and collaborative environment to grow and develop your career and skills. We’re constantly striving to improve our ways of working so putting your ideas across however big or small; will be fully encouraged and supported by your colleagues and our dynamic and experienced management team.
In addition we offer a modern and flexible working environment for our staff supported by our IT infrastructure, Google Chromebooks and Google Apps, which have acted as a key enabler for collaborative and streamlined working. The COVID-19 pandemic has required us to be even more flexible in how we work and manage staff workloads, ensuring they have the correct equipment and resources to be able to maximise their talents and looking after their wellbeing.
Employees have access to a wide range of benefits, some of which include:
- Generous annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays (pro-rata if part-time working hours apply)
- Three volunteering days per year
- Flexible and agile working arrangements
- Comprehensive learning and development programme
- Discounts on a range of local shops, restaurants, gyms and leisure centres
- Interest free season ticket loans
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Bicycle loan facilities and cycle to work scheme
- Zip car scheme
- Free eye tests and contribution towards glasses
- Confidential wellbeing and counselling support
- Subsidised gym membership