HQ Job Description (JD)
Band 9
Directorate: Generic - Projects and Programmes
Job Description - Change Lead
Document Ref.
HQ-JES-2978 Change Lead v2.0
Document Type
Management
Version
2.0
Classification
Official
Date of Issue
17th April 2025
Status
Baselined
Produced by
Job Evaluation Assurance and Support Team
Authorised by
Reward Team
JD Evidence
HQ-JES-2978 Change Lead v2.0
Job Description
Job Title
Change Lead
Directorate
Generic - Projects and Programmes
Band
9
Overview of the
The role of a Change Lead is responsible for developing or
job
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.
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.
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. This is a non-operational role with line
management responsibilities.
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.
HQ-JES-2978 Change Lead v2.0
• 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.
• 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
Activities and
responsibilities, activities and duties:
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
HQ-JES-2978 Change Lead v2.0
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.
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.
HQ-JES-2978 Change Lead v2.0
Technical
Minimum
Please do not alter this box
Eligibility
• 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
37 hour working week.
(Unsocial Hours)
Allowances
HQ-JES-2978 Change Lead v2.0