Deputy Director for Professional Capability

The IPA is the government’s centre of expertise for infrastructure and major projects. We sit at the heart of government, reporting to the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury.

Our core teams include experts in all elements of project delivery: infrastructure, IT, defence transformation, project finance and project profession capability who work with government departments and industry.

We lead the project delivery and project finance professions across government. Projects are delivered by people, and building professional capability is a high priority for the IPA. We aim to build high performing, professional, flexible and diverse teams to deliver world class projects now and in the future.

The post-holder will hold a critical senior leadership role within the Function, Profession and Standards (FPS) team within the IPA, leading the development of professional project delivery capability across government departments and delivery bodies across the public sector, reporting to the Director, Function, Profession and Standards, and ultimately to the IPA Chief Executive. The post holder is directly responsible for leading the Professional Capability team (c.27 FTE) in FPS.

The role also forms part of an important virtual professional network across other functions, working with Heads of Profession and HR Directors in departments and CSHR expert services, and has a dotted line back into the Civil Service HR function.

This role is a people-focused role working in the Project Delivery functional context. It requires a blend of strategic leadership and people skills, combining strategic thinking, stakeholder management, workforce planning, talent management and a range of other human resource skills, coupled with a broad understanding of project delivery as a discipline.

The post holder will be expected to have substantial knowledge of HR disciplines and experience of leading organisational development and transformation in complex organisational contexts.

The post holder will be accountable to the Director of Function, Profession & Standards for:

- Fulfilling IPA’s purpose, strategic objectives and mandate (as set out by the Cabinet Office, HM Treasury and IPA business plans).
- Producing a clear and measurable set of business delivery and other objectives by 1 April each year against which the team’s performance can be measured, aligned to IPA strategic objectives.
- Effective line management of the Professional Capability team in line with the Civil Service Code, Cabinet Office and IPA values,
- Accountability for the output of the team’s performance, reported through quarterly updates, and of matrix project teams working across IPA that the role holder is leading.
- Managing delegated budgets including pay and non-pay, in line with Managing Public Money.
- Ensuring all members of the team have personal objectives, half yearly and annual performance assessments, and regular performance discussions aligned with the business plan.
- Ensuring all members of the team have personal learning and development objectives and plans aligned to the IPA L&D strategy, have regular development discussions, and complete all mandatory training.
- Providing expert input on professional capability matters into the range of IPA functional strategy, planning and support activities, including advice to project delivery advisers and matrix teams.

Essential Criteria:
- Expertise in strategic organisational capability development and core HR disciplines, including workforce planning, talent development, resourcing and reward.
- A track record of achievement in delivering organisational change and building capability across large organisations, using novel ideas and professional expertise to provide solutions to complex organisational issues.
- Experience operating effectively in senior leadership roles across complex organisations, managing and influencing senior stakeholder relationships to deliver on major commitments.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and proven ability to build good working relationships across diverse business areas, functions and levels.

Desirable Criteria:
- Understanding of the project delivery context, disciplines and skills requirements.

Qualifications:

Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD, or preferably FCIPD), or equivalent experience that can be evidenced through the application process, is essential. If CIPD/FCIPD is not currently held, successful candidates will be expected to gain this qualification.

Closing date: Sunday 27th March 2022.