Head of HR Systems and Service Improvement

About the Government Legal Department

At Government Legal Department we have a vital, single-minded purpose: to help the Government govern well within the rule of law. This is complemented by our exciting vision to be an outstanding legal organisation, committed to the highest standards of service and professionalism and a brilliant place to work where we can all thrive and fulfill our potential.

Our work touches almost every aspect of public life. We are the largest provider of legal services across government, working on high profile matters.

Our respected professionals are involved in everything from regulation and litigation to advice on drafting legislation. They provide expertise to the full range of government departments. We are at the heart of delivering the governments priorities and our success depends on our people.

GLD is a non-ministerial government department headed by the Treasury Solicitor, our Permanent Secretary, and employs nearly 4000 people, including nearly 3000 legal professionals. We have offices nationwide, in Bristol, Leeds, inner and outer London and Manchester. Our lawyers can also be located within other departments and overseas.

GLD also depends on a range of cross-functional professionals to provide our corporate services. There are nearly 1000 colleagues playing an essential part in helping GLD to achieve its purpose and truly deliver much more than law.

This is an exciting time to join GLD, with cutting edge legal work on global issues and a transformation agenda which is ensuring the Department exemplifies the Modern Civil Service .

To find out more about what we do you can view our introductory film . On our website you can hear from team members, find out how to apply and learn about the benefits of working for GLD. You can also read more about the future vision for GLD in our GLD Strategy 2024 2027 .

About the HR Operations, SPC

We are looking for an experienced HR Operations professional to lead a significant programme of HR systems and service improvement at a pivotal point of change for GLD. This is an opportunity to shape how HR services are delivered, improve the user experience, and help prepare the organisation for the successful implementation of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform.

The role sits in the HR Division within the Strategy, People and Culture (SPC) directorate in GLD. SPC is dedicated to promoting an environment where our people can thrive and deliver exceptional legal services. It plays a crucial role in shaping the strategic direction of the department, enhancing our organisational culture, and ensuring that our workforce is equipped with the skills and support needed to excel.

GLDs HR Division provides strategic partnering, professional advice, and in-house HR and payroll services to more than 3,500 employees across GLD, AGO (Attorney Generals Office), and HMCPSI (HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate). We are committed to continuous improvement and to supporting GLDs wider transformation by creating an environment in which employees can thrive.

The HR Operations Team are responsible for:

• Providing the first point of contact for HR and payroll queries
• Administering employee and payroll changes
• Providing accurate and compliant payroll and pensions services
• Managing third party occupational health, employee assistance and employee benefit schemes to support personal and financial wellbeing
• Maintaining and optimising GLDs HR and Payroll iTrent platform (internally branded as MyHR)
• Providing management information and people analytics to support local and strategic decision making

About the Role

As Head of HR Systems and Service Improvement, you will lead a portfolio of work to deliver key 202627 People Strategy priorities: providing efficient, high-quality HR services to our employees, improving the user experience through continuous improvement and optimisation of our current platforms, and preparing for the successful implementation of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform.

As part of our drive to provide efficient, high-quality HR services, you will lead the digitalisation of HR processes and deliver system improvements that support business objectives. You will lead a small team of HRIS specialists responsible for maintaining and optimising iTrent on behalf of HR, while improving the user experience, increasing efficiency, and enhancing self-service.

You will also work closely with Digital colleagues to ensure that ServiceNow, GLDs ticketing and case-handling platform, is aligned to organisational structures and HR processes, meets the needs of HR users, and that requests for change are effectively scoped, progressed and implemented.

Alongside our short- and medium-term priorities, GLD is preparing to replace its Finance and HR systems with a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform. This programme is at an early stage, and the post-holder will play a key role in working with HR Operations senior managers and HR subject matter experts across the organisation to prepare HR systems, processes, and teams for a successful migration .

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, direction and support to the MyHR systems specialists responsible for system administration, configuration, change control, testing and upgrades, ensuring change requests are prioritised appropriately and delivered to agreed timescales in collaboration with business sponsors.
• Work collaboratively with the Head of Employee Services, Head of Payroll and Head of HR MI to ensure accurate data entry, effective data management and regular data cleansing within MyHR.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement across the team and act as the single point of contact for HR in raising, scoping and prioritising MyHR and ServiceNow change requests.
• Develop a strong understanding of user needs, business priorities and current challenges, working with HR stakeholders to identify and implement more efficient and effective ways of using available technology.
• Maintain and update the teams Digital Improvement Plan, chair the monthly MyHR and HRSD Change Boards, and represent HR at relevant ServiceNow planning and governance forums.
• Build strong and constructive relationships with Digital colleagues to ensure shared priorities are understood, changes are well governed, and solutions are delivered in line with business needs and agreed standards.
• Support the Head of HR Operations in designing, developing and implementing HR requirements for a new ERP system, taking responsibility for key workstreams as the programme evolves.
• Improve and embed the HR Operating Model, increasing self-service by ensuring guidance on Eagle (intranet) is accurate, accessible and kept up to date.
• Provide project and change management support for digital and non-digital projects as required.
• Keep up to date with developments in digital technology across GLD, the wider Civil Service and HR best practice, recommending new solutions that support business objectives and comply with data privacy and security requirements.

This is an outline description of the key responsibilities and accountabilities involved in the job. This is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities. You may be asked to undertake other duties across the HR team, commensurate with your grade and experience.

Behaviours

Below are details of the Success Profiles that make up this role. Demonstrating all the behaviours listed below is essential at either application or interview. You can read more about Success Profiles and how they are used as an assessment method before completing your application .

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

• Seeing the Bigger Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Key Skills & Experience

Essential must be demonstrated at application and interview

• A strong track record in digital innovation and continuous improvement
• Proven experience of delivering HR services through digital platforms, with in-depth ...