The National Audit Office is the UK’s independent public spending watchdog. We support Parliament in holding the Government to account and we help improve public services through our high-quality audits. As an organisation independent from government and the civil service, funded through Parliament, we are uniquely placed to deliver for taxpayers through rigorous analysis and impartial public reporting. Our work is high profile and ranges across all areas of government spending and public funding, from defence to health, welfare to the BBC. Our ability to achieve our mission relies on attracting, engaging, and developing highly capable people throughout the UK who are excited by our purpose and ambition.

We have created a new Chief People Officer (CPO) role to raise the profile of our People agenda. As a member of our Executive Team the CPO will report directly to the Comptroller & Auditor General, Gareth Davies.

This is a critical leadership role in an organisation whose people are its primary asset. Leading a highly regarded team of about 30, you will hold strategic accountability for:

• Contributing to Executive Committee and Board conversations, bringing ideas, constructive challenge and keeping the People agenda at the heart of our strategy
• Talent acquisition including the development of a compelling employer value proposition
• Talent management including leadership development, succession planning, and strategic workforce planning
• Learning and Development throughout the organisation
• Reward strategy, being a key contributor to the Remuneration Committee
• Organisational and culture development, engagement, and employee wellbeing
• Diversity and Inclusion, building on our progress and vision
• Oversight and management of the HR business partner function and core HR Operations

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

Throughout your career you will have contributed as a member of a leadership team, driving all aspects of the People agenda, bringing fresh thinking and demonstrable experience of driving talent, engagement, inclusion and change.

We are looking for someone with the drive and ability to deliver for UK citizens by:

• Being the chief professional adviser in the National Audit Office on People strategy - someone who can demonstrate personal leadership and collaboration with immediate credibility
• Driving a people strategy that ensures the National Audit Office delivers its priorities - with an ability to step into the operational when strategically necessary
• Developing a leading-edge Talent strategy such that the colleagues we rely on – all of whom are in high demand – continue to consider us their organisation of choice
• Communicating and influencing at all levels, building and developing the HR team and collaborating with leaders across the National Audit Office, who understand the centrality of people to the organisation
• Bringing understanding and experience of best practice, innovative approaches to problem solving and a collaborative approach to leadership, derived from experience in professional services and other knowledge-based working environments

You don’t have to have worked in a publicly funded organisation before – indeed we are keen to hear from people with private sector experience including in professional services, as it is this sector that we compete with in relation to our Talent agenda.

This is a full-time role, but we will consider flexible working arrangements. We operate a hybrid working policy, and this role could be based at our iconic London offices, or in our newly refurbished premises in Newcastle (with frequent trips to London). We are proud of our diverse and inclusive culture and seek to always be building on this. Please let us know if you would like us to make any adjustments for you – throughout the process and beyond – to help you to deliver at your best.

There is much more about this role in our information pack - please visit www.odgers.com/87987 to find out more. 

The application closing date is 12pm Monday 6^th February 2023.