Strategic Workforce Planner

Job summary

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 government’s 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.

Job description

The People Development Team (PDT) is part of GLD’s HR team. We support GLD’s strategic ambition to provide Rewarding Careers for All and our People Strategy commitments to enable the department to be the best employer for our people, where they can thrive and fulfil their potential.

The team performs core learning functions in the areas of leadership, line management and personal effectiveness development; corporate induction; talent and careers; and our Early Talent programme (which includes Legal Trainees, Apprenticeships, Paralegals and Outreach).

Strategic work force planning is a new specialism within the team and GLD. We now need to build and mature this specialism within the People Development Team, and in turn develop this capability within the wider GLD.

We make a real difference to the Civil Service, GLD and to the lives of thousands of employees, often in life and career defining ways.

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity to build our strategic work force plan and lead the capability building required for GLD to be an exemplar in its approach to strategically plan the workforce it requires. This is a standalone role where you will work as part of a highly committed people Development Team and influence and lead more widely across GLD. Reporting to the Head of People Development, you will lead the creation of SWP’s and identifying and resolving skills gaps to ensure that GLD has the workforce that it needs to meet its future goals, in alignment with strategic business plans. You can have influence over the GLD’s workforce in a time of ever-changing demand.

A key part of this role is to build GLD’s corporate understanding of exemplary SWFP building approaches, to upskill colleagues both within and outside of HR and to deliver a credible SWFP that meets the approval of our senior leaders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Establish a positive culture, approach, governance and processes that enable GLD to strategically plan its workforce.
• Positively engage with senior stakeholders, includingcolleagues both within and outside of HR. Understand organisational priorities, develop workforce data and communicate key conclusions.
• Gather an expert understanding of the interactions between SWP and other functions and professions, to aid professional development and to meet common priorities such asthe alignment of workforce plans to our GLD 2030 business strategy.
• Scope, design and implement regular strategic workforce plans, by identifying training and skills requirements and interpreting abstract HR concept. Take ownership of the strategic workforce narrative across the department.
• This is a new role within GLD, so the key task is to build our ability to strategically plan our workforce from the ground up, developing the systems, tools, governance and data requirements to make this happen.
• Produce and maintain a set of in-house instructions (Tools and Guidance) for Workforce Planning in line with the annual business planning cycle.
• Proactively anticipate and plan for long term workforce needs to support recruitment and L&D strategies and to make use of financial resources.
• Be an empowering leader of colleagues not in your immediate chain of command by influencing across GLD and securing commitment and engagement to SWFP activities.
• In the short term work with colleagues to identify and improve our approach to short and medium term recruitment, ensuring that our planning gathers the information we need to recruit the right people with the right skills and is aligned to our budgetary planning process.
• Driven by evidence, you will work withcolleaguestoderive insight from multiple data sources and distil complex data sets into accessible formats for improved stakeholder understanding. Call for high quality data to support the executive board in decision making and to ultimately enable the formation of SWP’s that deliver the GLD’s 2030 Business Strategy.
• Accurately capture, forecast and plan capability needs.Identify the capacity and capability of the future workforce by keeping abreast of developments in the legal profession within Government. Provide expert adviceto deliver transformational change and meet key GLD objectives.
• Ensure that SWP’s are accurate, timely, accessible and in line with government guidelines. Keep well informed on cross government initiatives, to ensure thatthe objectives of the GLD align to those of the CS.
• Providing thought leadership on future workforce challenges, including future proofing existing activity against the ‘future of work’ agenda.
• Maintain a deep network across your organisation and within the Civil Service to ensure that GLD is following best practice in it’s approach to SWF Planning.
• Embed a new SWP approach, setting direction and updating practice and guidance to build SWP capability across the GLD, improving alignment and building maturity.

Person specification

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:

• Making effective decisions (lead behaviour)
• Communicating and influencing
• Working together
• Developing self and others

Experience

Essential – must be demonstrated at application and interview

• Experience of taking a leading role in strategically planning a workforce.
• Experience of building organisational capability to strategically plan a workforce.
• Experience of building successful relationships and partnerships using business partner approaches and methodology.

Technical Skills

• Expertise and knowledge of strategically planning a diverse workforce using industry recognised models and tools to guide the process.

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 5 or a willingness to work towards this

Security Clearance Level

All GLD employees must hold BPSS. In addition to this, those based in our London offices must hold or be willing to obtain CTC level clearance for this role. If London based, you can start your position pending this clearance level, however your appointment will be conditional upon obtaining CTC clearance. More information can be found about the vetting and clearance levelsbefore completing your application.

Sponsorship and Visas

There is the possibility that GLD can provide sponsorship for skilled workers, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria set down under current immigration legislation. GLD does not guarantee sponsorshipwill be provided or that an applicant will be successful in gaining a skilled worker visa.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that they meet the criteria for sponsorship. They also have the responsibility to notify the Resourcing Team that they require Sponsorship at the start of the onboarding process into GLD. This applies to existing civil servants as well as external candidates.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others

Technical skills

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

• Technical skills

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £57,263, Government Legal Department contributes £16,589 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Learning and Development at GLD

GLD has a comprehensive learning and development offer for all employees.

We offer a programme of in-person/hybrid and virtual sessions providing learning on profession-specific, soft skills, technical skills, and different topics. We also support colleagues through a range of different professional qualifications.

Cross-Functional Professional

We support all Professions with building their careers and capability aligning with the wider Civil Service offerings for each Profession.

There are also talent and development opportunities offered throughout the year these include:

• Senior Leaders and Future Leaders Schemes – cross Civil Service accelerated development schemes.
• Beyond Boundaries – cross government development programme designed to help participants develop the knowledge, skills and networks required to build a satisfying and effective career in the Civil Service.
• Mentoring and Coaching – we encourage all colleagues to share their knowledge, capability, and experience.
• Apprenticeships - We have a range of apprenticeships on offer across all professions with the opportunity for all employees to explore a profession specific apprenticeship to support their development in role.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

Application

To apply for this post you will need to complete the online application on Civil Service Jobs, searching the reference below. The deadline for this application is 12:00 Midday Tuesday 5th May 2026

In your application you will be assessed on the following:

• An online CV setting out your career history, qualifications and with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years, as part of the online application form. This will be used to assess Experience.The CV will be scored.

Civil Service Tests Online

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete one Civil Service Online test: Civil Service Judgement Test. You can find out more information and guidance on the tests, including options to take practice tests.

Please note: There will be maintenance for online tests on Sunday 3rd May 2026. This means you will be unable to access the online tests between 4pm to midnight. Your progress will be saved, and you will be able to continue once the tests are available again.

If you are unsuccessful in passing these tests you will be unable to continue any further in the application process. If you successfully pass the tests, you will then automatically progress to the next stage of completing the full application.

We suggest you allow enough time to complete the full application online, prior to the closing date and time, Tuesday 5th May 2026 at 12:00 Midday as once the application is closed you will no longer have access to the ability tests and the application.

Application Errors

Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. We understand mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we will not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, please contact us via: activecampaigns@governmentlegal.gov.uk . Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example – ‘Please re-open my application – [insert vacancy ref] & vacancy closing date [insert date]’.

Selection Process

After the closing date, the appointing panel shall assess candidates’ suitability for the role based on evidence provided in their application against the experience and technical skills outlined in the person specification.

In the eventuality that there are a high number of applicants successful at sift, GLD may operate a longlist, whereby applicants who have been shortlisted and met the minimum pass mark but are not selected for interview will have their application placed on hold. After the initial interview round candidates on the longlist may be offered an interview, should there still be posts available.

Interview

If you are invited to interview, you will be assessed on your performance on the criteria listed in the Person Specification, and asked behaviour questions at interview. These criteria are:

Behaviours:

• Making effective decisions (lead behaviour)
• Communicating and influencing
• Working together
• Developing self and others

Experience

Technical Skills

At interview you will be asked to deliver a 5 min presentation on the following statement : ‘What considerations and steps would you take into account when building an organisations’ capability to strategically plan its future workforce requirements?’

The Presentation will assess on the behaviour: Developing self and others.

Your interview will take place online.

Offer

The timeline later in this pack indicates the date by which decisions are expected to be made, and all shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter.

All communications regarding your application will be made through Civil Service Jobs.

All candidates will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible after the interview. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

We appoint in strict order of merit. If you meet the minimum criteria for this position but are not successful for a post, you will be placed on the reserve list. We may contact you to see if you are interested in a post at the same, or a lower grade, in GLD should one arise.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Simon Levi
• Email : simon.levi@governmentlegal.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : activecampaigns@governmentlegal.gov.uk

Further information

You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of the Recruitment Principles. If you feel that your application hasn’t been treated in accordance with these Principles and wish to make a complaint, please contact recruitment_feedback@governmentlegal.gov.uk in the first instance. Please title your email as follows: Job Reference Number – Job Title – Recruitment Complaint. Complaints must be submitted in writing within 30 days of the incident or the decision which has caused the complaint. To fully engage with the issues raised GLD require that you submit evidence of your complaint.

Attachments

Strategic Workforce Planner Opens in new window (pdf, 744kB)