HR Programme Manager

About the service

At Southwark we've set out a clear ambition through our 2030 vision to be a fair, green and more inclusive borough. To achieve this we rely on a workforce that is well supported, adaptable and equipped to deliver high-quality services for our residents.

The HR Policy and Projects team enables this by leading the development and delivery of workforce policies and programmes that strengthen organisational capability and support change. The team focuses on turning strategic priorities into practical, effective people practices that improve consistency, compliance and the employee experience across the council.

Our service ensures quality, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism are embedded into policy design and implementation. Working in partnership with leaders, trade unions and staff networks, the team helps shape a transparent and values led approach to people management that supports a modern and inclusive council.

About the role

As the HR Programme Manager, you'll lead the delivery of a diverse portfolio of HR policies, projects and programmes that support the council's workforce strategy and organisational priorities. The role is accountable for delivering across the full project lifecycle, ensuring initiatives are well planned, effectively governed and successfully embedded into business as usual.

Working closely with senior leaders, HR colleagues, trade unions and staff networks, you'll lead engagement and consultation activity, chair working groups and oversee the delivery of briefings, training and engagement sessions. You'll monitor progress, manage risks while delivering measurable outcomes.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the design, planning and delivery of HR policies, projects and programmes across the full lifecycle from initiation through to embedding into business as usual
• Provide leadership and oversight to HR Project Officers, setting clear priorities, assuring quality and enabling effective delivery across multiple workstreams
• Lead research, analysis and policy development activity, including quality impact assessments to inform evidence based decision making
• Oversee engagement and consultation with key stakeholders, including trade unions and staff networks to support effective policy development and implementation
• Monitor delivery, manage risks and ensure projects/ programmes deliver agreed outcomes on time, within scope and budget

What we're looking for

We're looking for an experienced HR professional with a strong track record of delivering complex HR policies, project and programmes within a large organisation. You'll bring the ability to translate strategic objectives into practical workforce solutions.

Key requirements:

• Proven experience of delivering HR policies and workforce programmes through the full project lifecycle from inception and design through to implementation
• Practical project management experience, ideally supported by formal training or qualifications (e.g. PRINCE2 or Agile) ,with the ability to manage scope, risks, resources and interdependencies
• Applied knowledge of employment law and HR best practice, including experience of working within public sector or local government
• Demonstrable experience of leading, coaching and managing staff to deliver policy or project outcomes, supporting capability, development and effective performance
• Strong communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills, including experience of engaging and consulting with trade unions and a wide range of internal stakeholders

Additional Information

Recruitment Timetable

• Closing Date: 25.02.2026
• Shortlisting: 27.02.2026
• Interviews: w/c 09.03.2026

Benefits and more information:
https://jobs.southwark.gov.uk/why-us/

We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the Black, Asian and ethnically diverse communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role (see attached job description & person specification), and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition.
• Are currently considered as a Southwark Council redeployee

Attachments

• HR Programme Manager - Job Description & Person Specification.docx