EOI/TP – Chief People Officer (SCS 2)

Job Description

Expressions of interest are invited for this Director (SCS 2) role as Chief People Officer (CPO). The interim role is open to substantive SG staff and those who fall under Common Citizenship at Deputy Director (SCS 1) level on temporary promotion or Directors (SCS 2) on level transfer for up to 6 months whilst the post is out for external advert. Chartered FCIPD is a requirement of the role.

Given the likely short period of cover required, and the departure date of the incumbent, very quick release from current responsibilities will be essential.

Overview

The Chief People Officer plays a vital role in shaping the strengthening our workforce, developing our people and ensuring we remain a values driven, inclusive organisation where people can thrive. You will be operating within a complex and challenging environment where the people agenda is contested and where actions, and decisions, taken by the CPO and the function are highly visible.

Role and Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for the Scottish Government’s people agenda, advising the Permanent Secretary and senior leaders.
• Oversee the full suite of HR services, ensuring high quality delivery across HR strategy, workforce planning, talent and leadership development, employee relations and reward, HR policy, casework, resourcing, diversity and inclusion, people analytics and the HR service centre.
• Sustain a values led culture that fosters inclusion, supports wellbeing, strengthens psychological safety and encourages high performance.
• Ensure robust governance, accountability and performance across all HR and people functions, including oversight of a payroll operation of circa £870m and shared services supporting over 25,000 users.
• Champion innovation, digital transformation and continuous improvement, ensuring that all HR services are modern, customer centred and compliant with relevant policies, legislation and Civil Service standards.

For this interim assignment the key priorities will be to ensure that the senior team in People Directorate are able to continue to operate at the highest level, that core functions remain stable and that key improvement activities progress. There will be a particular focus on finalising the People Directorate Business Plan for 26-27 as the post election and Corporate Plan priorities are clarified. The capability review, people strategy and workforce planning initiatives will be central to the role along with next steps on hybrid. Operational priorities will be to provide leadership on our interface into the pensions recovery work, land the implementation of Oracle HR Helpdesk and the work on HR shared service centre improvement. Maintaining momentum on the directorate plans to deliver the reduction in FTE and live within budget will be critical.