Programme Manager - HR Transformation
On behalf of Defra, we are looking for a Programme Manager - HR Transformation (Inside IR35) until end of March 2026. This is a remote working role.
In the Defra group, we deal with a vast range of issues that profoundly impact on people's lives. We are responsible for England's environment, our countryside and rural economy, the food and farming sectors and have lead responsibility for protection from a wide range of natural threats and hazards. We have developed a set of three strategic objectives covering our policy outcomes and corporate objectives. These objectives help us to deliver our ambitious vision to build our green and healthy future and provide a framework for all the important work we carry out.
Our objectives are:
* To pass on to the next generation a natural environment protected and enhanced for the future.
* To lead the world in food, farming, and fisheries with a sustainable model of food production.
* To be an outstanding organisation focused on making a difference, with world class delivery capability.
Job Purpose:
Defra Group HR is delivering a critical HR Change Programme to refresh our Target Operating Model and lay the foundations for a future HR function that is user-focused, agile, and efficient. This role will provide programme leadership and delivery oversight for the final phase of the programme (phase 1), ensuring completion and close by March 2026 while enabling planning for future phases of HR transformation.
As a Programme Manager - HR Transformation, your main responsibilities will be:
* Programme Leadership & Delivery Maintain overall integrity and coherence of the HR Change Programme, ensuring governance and assurance processes are followed.
* Oversee planning, scheduling, and resource management for the rest of phase 1 delivery.
* Monitor risks, issues, and dependencies, implement mitigations and escalate where necessary.
* Ensure benefits realisation planning is in place and outputs meet programme objectives.
* Stakeholder Management & Communications Build and maintain strong relationships and regular engagement with senior stakeholders across HR and Defra Group, ensuring joined up working across organisational boundaries.
* Develop and deliver clear communications and engagement approaches, being mindful of audience, to ensure understanding of programme purpose, progress, and next steps.
* Facilitate collaboration across workstreams, across Defra HR and across Defra group organisations
* Represent the HR Change Programme at relevant governance forums, providing overview of programme progress, risks, escalations, etc, as required
Essential:
* Proven experience in leading HR transformation programmes in complex organisations.
* Strong programme management skills, including planning, risk management, and governance.
* Experience of matrix management and coordinating multiple workstreams.
* Excellent stakeholder management and engagement, with ability to work effectively across organisational boundaries and perceived silos, influencing across all levels Strong communication skills, with experience of developing and delivering change communications.
* Proven ability to quickly integrate into established programme environments, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability to deliver successful outcomes.
Desirable:
* Previous experience of working in a HR or People function in a complex, central government function or similar, public-sector environment Familiarity with Civil Service HR frameworks and functional standards.
* Experience applying user-centred design principles in HR service transformation
Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.
Disability Confident
As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, Defra guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.
Armed Forces Commitment
Defra guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.
In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".