Assistant Director Human Resources

Human Resources (HR) is a key enabling function responsible for the planning and delivery of the MCA’s People Strategy and a full range of HR services including Organisational Design and Development, Talent Management and HR Operations. The Assistant Director – Human Resources works with senior managers to plan, develop, and deliver organisational objectives. In addition, this role is part of the Department for Transport (DfT) HR Leadership team and works collaboratively within the DfT Group HR Model.

As the Assistant Director Human Resources, you will report to the Director of People and Safety and be responsible for developing and delivering the MCA people agenda, which will enable the MCA to achieve its objectives.

In addition, it will be your role to build leadership and people management skills throughout the Agency, providing a modern and flexible HR service to the business. You will also provide insightful leadership to effectively deliver a HR function that embraces innovation, appropriate risk taking, organisational governance, individual accountability and responsibility at all levels.

Your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Lead and inspire the Human Resources (HR) team to drive forward the People Strategy and People related deliverables within the MCA Strategy and Business Plan to include cultural change, leadership development, talent management, workforce planning, performance management and wellbeing.
Responsible for the successful delivery of HR services to the business, including pay, reward, employee relations, casework (including litigation), wellbeing, resourcing, policy, talent and development.
Working in partnership with DfT Group HR Directors, senior leaders and the HR Team to take forward cross-Group and cross-Government initiatives and apply them within MCA. This includes shared services, recruitment, policy, culture and wellbeing, employee relations, pay and pensions, learning and development.
Provides strategic support and guidance to the Executive Team and Senior Leaders in people matters driving organisational people priorities
Lead Trade Union engagement encouraging an open and trusted two-way relationship that supports good industrial relations.

For further information about the role and responsibilities, please see the attached role profile.

Person specification

To be successful in this role you will be a Chartered MCIPD member, hold the equivalent HR qualification or have equivalent Senior HR experience.

You will have excellent and effective leadership skills with experience in leading a Human Resources function, shaping its direction, culture, values, and goals.

Strong interpersonal, influencing and negotiating skills will come naturally to you. You will have the ability to establish relationships quickly with a wide range of internal and external senior stakeholders, up to board level.

You can influence and deliver organisational change as well as effectively managing Trade Union relations.

Additional Information

This role will be based in the Southampton HQ.  MCA supports flexible working and operates a hybrid working model between home and office for this role, giving you greater flexibility over where and when you work.

The expectation is that you will spend a minimum 60% of your working time based at your principal workplace or out on official business. Details of the arrangement will be discussed further with your line manager.

There may be a requirement for occasional travel on official duty within the UK, which may involve overnight stays. Notice will be given prior to travel.