AMS PSR

On behalf of the MOD, we are looking for an Organisational Design Lead - Outside IR35 for a 6 month (possible extension) working on a Hybrid basis (2/3 days per week on site in Bristol, Abbey Wood and as required for the needs of the business, with remaining WFH)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is a central government department with a mission to protect our country and provide the ultimate guarantee of its security and independence, as well as helping to protect its values and interests abroad.

The MOD is one of the biggest public procurement organisations in Europe and the single largest customer for UK industry. It currently manages approximately £20 billion of spend on capital investments in equipment and infrastructure every year. Over the next decade the MOD is committed to spending over £190 billion on equipment and support. The MOD’s customers include both the armed forces and national security agencies, and it has a diverse range of requirements, including military fighting vehicles, education services, nuclear submarines and facilities management.

The MOD’s aim is to provide its armed forces with the best capabilities to enable them to protect the UK’s security and advance national interests, both now and in the long term.

To do this the MOD has an annual budget of almost £53 billion and a workforce comprising 197,000 people. of which 54,000 are civilians working for the UK MOD.

The work really matters; the MOD offers a range of engaging roles which have a direct impact on the quality of services they provide, in many locations across the UK. We support teams working in HR, Primary Health Care, Corporate Services, and many others.

About the role:

The DNE is focussed on delivering improved outcomes whilst contributing to wider Defence measures to address resource challenges. This also provides the opportunity to drive further convergence of the DNE One Team.

As part of Defence Reform, the DNE is adopting a revised Portfolio structure and a key part of the design is the formation of the Submarine Delivery Group (SDG), which brings responsibilities for submarine capability and delivery together into one team, from 1 April 2026.

The DNE is focussed on delivering improved outcomes whilst contributing to wider Defence measures to address resource challenges. This also provides the opportunity to drive further convergence of the DNE One Team.

As part of Defence Reform, the DNE is adopting a revised Portfolio structure and a key part of the design is the formation of the Submarine Delivery Group (SDG), which brings responsibilities for submarine capability and delivery together into one team, from 1 April 2026.

The work to stand up a minimum viable organisation design solution for SDG has been undertaken, with detailed work to flesh out the operating arrangements to follow as quickly as possible.

In parallel, work will be undertaken to bring together cross cutting/enabling activity under single senior leadership in the DNE.

This work is essential for the DNE to deliver its headcount reduction targets through simplified and streamlined ways of working and interfaces.

The Portfolio Optimisation Lead is responsible for driving the coordination needed to deliver efficiencies and implement consistency across the DNE.

Given the high priority placed on this work and the specialist skillset required, WFS is sought via the PSR Framework, for a period up to 6 months, or until the role can be permanently filled through recruitment.

PLEASE NOTE: 

SC Clearance is an essential requirement for this role, as a minimum you must be willing & eligible to undergo checks. Please note, due to the exceptional requirements of this position (short-term nature of this role and speed at which we require a postholder in situ) preference may be given to candidates who meet all of the essential criteria and hold active security clearance 

The main duties and responsibilities of the Portfolio Optimisation Lead would be to:

• Lead and coordinate the People Workstream within the Submarine Delivery Group transformation programme, ensuring that all organisational design (OD) activities comply with government functional standards and align with the department’s overarching strategic business objectives.
• Provide expert strategic challenge and counsel as an HR Business Partner to senior leadership teams (SCS level), influencing high-level decisions on operating models, structural shifts, and cultural interventions to drive organisational effectiveness.
• Navigate a complex political and governance landscape of an MoD Area, brokering solutions across organisational boundaries and ensuring that people-related risks are identified and mitigated in line with the Civil Service Management Code.
• Design and implement evidence-based organisational structures and workforce plans, using data and behavioural insights to ensure the business is "fit for purpose" and capable of delivering crucial public services.
• Manage stakeholder relationships, including consultation with Trade Unions and staff networks, to foster an inclusive environment and maintain employee engagement during periods of significant structural transition.
• Apply robust Project and Programme Management (PPM) methodologies to track workstream milestones, manage dependencies, and ensure the timely delivery of people-focused transformation outcomes.
• Develop comprehensive workforce transition strategies, including competency mapping and the design of recruitment campaigns using the Success Profile Framework, to ensure a merit-based and fair migration to new operating models.
• Design an evaluation of the efficiency, effectiveness and agility of new structures post-implementation, ensuring that changes remain resilient and aligned with long-term Defence Nuclear Enterprise and Submarine Delivery Group priorities.

Essential:

• Proven track record of leading and delivering large-scale business change programmes in complex, matrixed organisations.
• Significant experience in organisational design (OD), restructuring, and workforce transformation.
• Strong blend of project/programme delivery expertise alongside a credible HR/people strategy background.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement change management strategies that drive organisational effectiveness and adoption.
• Experience operating within large, complex environments (e.g. public sector or private sector organisations with 5,000+ employees).
• Established leadership capability, with experience leading multi-disciplinary teams and delivering outcomes at pace in high-pressure environments.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident 

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, the MOD guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.

This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

The MOD guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following “this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different.