HQ Job Description (JD)
Band 9
Directorate: Generic - Projects and Programmes
Job Description - Change Lead
Document Ref.
HQ-JES-2978 Change Lead v1.0
Document Type
Management
Version
1.0
Classification
Official
Date of Issue
8 December 2021
Status
Baselined
Produced by
Job Evaluation Assurance and Support Team
Authorised by
Reward Team
JD Evidence
HQ-JES-2978 Change Lead v1.0
Job Description
Job Title
Change Lead
Directorate
Generic - Projects and Programmes
Band
9
Overview of the job
The role of a Change Lead is responsible for developing or influencing the strategic
direction for the directorate, and the initiation, leadership and implementation of
key directorate focused/owned change initiatives and priorities. These are strategic
roles involving establishing, managing and implementing a range of change
programmes and projects usually in support of wider change programmes within
HMPPS. These programmes and projects will typically be large, complex and high
profile, and will be deliverable over significant periods with substantial business
impact within the organisation.
Change Leads will act as an internal consultant and will need to work closely with
other relevant functions, stakeholders (including trade unions) and colleagues in
order to progress activities and deliverables, but will also be responsible for leading
specific projects and matrix management of project resources. They will need to be
able to influence our future directorate service.
Team members will need to be highly capable, innovative, flexible, driven, highly
organised, be able to see the bigger picture and have a high level of energy and
attention to detail. They will need to be able to radar scan, quickly understand and
scope issues and requirements, set direction and lead others to drive change.
Delivery to the relevant function and overall organisation will be in a way that is cost
effective, efficient and delivers benefits to HMPPS as well as the MoJ and Civil
Service. You are likely to be working on a number of different projects at any one
time so the ability to multi-task within tight timeframes will be essential. A relevant
generalist background would be advantageous although individuals with specialisms
will also be welcome. An ability to develop collaborative working relationships
quickly and effectively lead matrix working arrangements and structures will be a
must.
The role reports to the Head of Organisational Change and will have line
management responsibilities for a number of Change Delivery professionals working
in a complex delivery environment.
This is a national post. The job holder will be required to spend time in HQ and
elsewhere as needed. This may result in a dual workplace situation. The post is non-
operational.
Summary
The purpose of the role is to lead the development, planning and implementation of
effective programmes, directorate initiatives and projects that support the delivery
of the directorate Strategic Priorities within HMPPS and directorate Business Plans.
Includes:
• Development and influencing strategic direction for directorate working
effectively with senior internal and external stakeholders (normally at
Director/Deputy Director/Head of Group or Function level) to do so.
• Leading the successful delivery of priority directorate projects (including those
that are components of wider HMPPS projects or programmes), identifying and
managing high profile risks and issues, as well as robust and effective project
management.
HQ-JES-2978 Change Lead v1.0
• To identify, manage and seek resolution to strategic, scope and resource issues.
• To lead project delivery including matrix management of workstream leads,
project resources and other directorate functional experts to ensure plans are
delivered to time and within cost and quality requirements.
• Able to be flexibly deployed on other priority projects or work areas at short
notice, and be able to make a significant contribution to delivery.
• Will be required to be responsible for coordinating people resources within
HMPPS and across the wider MoJ directorate to achieve project aims.
Responsibilities,
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities
Activities and Duties
and duties:
Responsible for leading a number of priority focused projects (at any one time)
involving a range of functions/activities, structures and key stakeholders.
Includes:
• Development or influencing the strategic direction for the directorate, requiring
an understanding of overarching organisational and directorate priorities and
how the portfolio of projects combines to contribute to the overarching
directorate and business strategies.
• Responsible for leading the successful delivery (to required quality standards,
timescales and within agreed resources) of priority projects. This requires robust
and effective planning and subsequent monitoring of plans as well as effective
risk management, and will routinely involve reallocation of resources in
supporting priority work.
• Responsible for ensuring comprehensive and effective project plans and
associated documents are in place to control and track the successful delivery of
HMPPS directorate Strategic Priorities.
• Resolution of any identified strategic, scope, planning or resource issues, and
where appropriate escalating options and recommendations for resolution of
complex and high impact issues to the HMPPS directorate Executive SMT.
• Able to identify the critical path/s for any projects or work and provide solutions
which could affect the achievement of any deliverables on the critical path.
• Able to design and implement appropriate governance forums and products
that enables monitoring and control of directorate programmes and projects,
and which inform overarching reporting against business plans, to the HMPPS
directorate Executive SMT, and the HMPPS directorate Director’s bi-laterals with
the Chief Executive Officer.
• Responsible for anticipating issues and problems, and where necessary
intervening (including taking responsibility for directly producing project
deliverables) to prevent slippage or failure to meet key milestones.
• Required to understand and find solutions to complex and unclear problems
often involving conflicting views and requirements, and which have no pre-
defined solution.
• Able to be flexibly deployed on other priority projects or work areas (to
contribute to or to trouble-shoot) where capability gaps or significant risks,
issues or slippage is predicted or occurs, often at short notice and alongside
existing priority deliverables.
• Required to work effectively with senior internal and external stakeholders
(normally at Director/Deputy Director/Head of Group or Function level) to
influence strategic direction.
• Required to matrix manage workstream leads, project resources and other
functional experts to ensure plans are delivered to time and within cost and
quality requirements.
• Required to consult and negotiate directly with Trade Union representatives at a
national level on behalf of priority projects. This involves the ability to build
appropriate relationships with union representatives consistent with the HMPPS
ER Leads.
• Responsible for representing HMPPS and MoJ directorate at various internal and
external directorate and broader change programme forums.
HQ-JES-2978 Change Lead v1.0
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not
intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable
alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant
adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall
be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.
Behaviours
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace
Strengths
It is advised strengths are chosen locally, recommended 4-8.
Ability
Experience
• Professional understanding of the relevant complex issues requiring an
appropriate CIPD qualification and/or extensive professional/specialist knowledge
and experience.
• Experience of using recognised project management techniques.
• Ability to lead and influence large groups of stakeholders, matrix managing a mix
of internal and external stakeholders to deliver successful outcomes.
• Experience of identifying and implementing continuous improvement in relevant
practices.
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of the relevant Operating Models and
Shared Services processes.
Technical
Minimum Eligibility
Please do not alter this box
• All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post.
• All external candidates are subject to 6 months’ probation. Internal candidates are
subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within
HMPPS.
• All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or
organisation which HMPPS consider to be racist.
Hours of Work
Leave Blank
(Unsocial Hours)
Allowances
To be used by the JES Team only
HQ-JES-2978 Change Lead v1.0
Success Profile
Strengths
Behaviours
It is advised strengths
Ability
Experience
Technical
are chosen locally,
recommended 4-8
Seeing the Big Picture
Professional understanding of the
relevant complex issues requiring
an appropriate CIPD qualification
and/or extensive
professional/specialist knowledge
and experience.
Changing and Improving
Experience of using recognised
project management techniques.
Making Effective Decisions
Ability to lead and influence large
groups of stakeholders, matrix
managing a mix of internal and
external stakeholders to deliver
successful outcomes.
Working Together
Experience of identifying and
implementing continuous
improvement in relevant practices.
Managing a Quality Service
Detailed knowledge and
understanding of relevant
Operating Models and Shared
Services processes.
Delivering at Pace
HQ-JES-2978 Change Lead v1.0