Job summary
The Corporate Systems team require an experienced Change Manager to Design and Deliver the Business Change processes and Communications for the Planning Inspectorate transition to Unity Shared Services ensuring effective change and adoption in line with organisation requirements.
We are looking for an experienced business Change Manager to design and implement the Inspectorate’s change process ensuring that all Inspectorate SAP Employee Central changes are fully impact assessed and prioritised.
Work with the SRO and Lead Delivery Manager to provide assurance against programme plans, verifying that milestones are aligned, and the Transformation Programme Plan takes into account time required to formally manage change.
You will provide professional process and technical advice around change management to impacted business areas.
The Planning Inspectorate has a long and proud history in ensuring a fair planning system for England. The work we do has a significant impact on people’s lives, the communities where they live and the economy.
We want our colleagues to be able to work more flexibly and more collaboratively, exploring new and innovative ways to improve the way we provide services.
For further information on the Planning Inspectorate, please visit our careers page at Civil Service Careers
Job description
The Change Manager will be able to work independently engaging across the Planning Inspectorate and transformation programme. They will be able to prepare and deliver a Business Change Plan using an established change methodology, and build and execute a complementary communications plan.
On a typical day or week, you will develop and review the Business Change Management Plan to ensure it remains aligned with programme goals. You will maintain and update the Forward Schedule of Change, providing visibility of upcoming activities. Regular collaboration with the Change and Communications Team ensures that change efforts are well-coordinated across the programme. You will also work closely with subject matter experts (SMEs) to create clear and effective guidance and communication materials. In partnership with the Lead Delivery Manager, support the smooth delivery and adoption of the Shared Services Programme. Coordinating change activities with key stakeholders and tracking progress against agreed outcomes will also be part of their routine responsibilities.
Salary
New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. Internal rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
This role is being advertised at SEO Grade.
Salary range for the Grade role is £45,219 - £49,462
Working hours:
Standard working week is 37 hours, flexible working hours policy available
Part time at 30 hours or above, flexible working hours policy available.
Office Attendance
This role is contractually based at Temple Quay House, Bristol which is currently out of use due to undergoing refurbishment work. In the interim, we have the use of alternative office space in very close proximity to Bristol Temple Meads railway station. We recognise and value the mutual benefits of hybrid working and have a flexible approach to in person attendance, which can vary dependent on the requirements of individual business units - the details of which can be discussed with candidates if invited to attend an interview.
Person specification
We will assess your application against the Essential Criteria and Success Profile elements listed:
Essential Criteria
- Experience of implementing and managing business change to a large community of users (~1100).
- Knowledge and experience of HR Business Processes (employee lifecycle) and delivering People change.
- Experience of effective communication with the ability to influence a range of stakeholders.
- Experience delivering change management and communications plans in a complex and changing environment
- Team Working and Support – engage with colleagues to foster good relationships across all levels.
- Independent Working – Use initiative to appropriately organise and manage workload to meet scheduled targets.
- Experience or knowledge of the ITIL framework.
Desirable Criteria
- Change Management Certification or equivalent experience.
- Experience working in digital services and delivery functions.
- Experience managing ERP and Digital changes in a shared service environment.
- Experience advocating technology as an enabler for change
- Experience delivering digital changes using different methods (for example, Prince 2 and Agile).
For guidance on how to structure your application please visit: About the application process , Civil Service Careers
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and Influencing
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £45,219, Planning Inspectorate contributes £13,099 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- Flexible working options, including flexi-time, part-time, compressed hours and home working if suitable for the role.
- A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
- 25 days annual leave increasing by 1 day per year up to 30 days after 5 years, plus 1 privilege day to mark the King’s birthday. In addition to the normal bank holidays.
- Generous family friendly policies.
- Fast and modern IT kit which utilises Windows 10 and Microsoft 365, enabling seamless working from home and collaboration across teams.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Application
For guidance on how to structure your application please see About the application process , Civil Service Careers
Complete the online application form on Civil Service Jobs which requires the following information:
- A CV: The CV section lets you share your job history. List your jobs, how long you worked at each, and briefly describe your roles and duties. Make sure to show how your experience matches the essential criteria of the job you're applying for. Type or paste this information into the 'Employment History' box in the online application. You can't attach your CV.
If there are many applications, we might use a lead sift. This means we'll first check if you meet the key requirement listed below. If you don't, we won't review the rest of your application.
- Experience delivering change management and communications plans in a complex and changing environment
All shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome shortly afterwards.
Interview
If you are shortlisted, you will:
- Be asked to attend an interview to have a more in-depth discussion about your experience and suitability for the role
- Interviews will be a blend of behaviour, strength, experience and technical questions
Candidates who pass the shortlist stage will receive full assessment details with their interview invitations.
Other Information
Shortlist Date: w/c 11th August 2025
Interview Date: w/c 18th August 2025
Interviews will be held remotely using MS Teams. The interview will not be recorded or retained, other than usual interview protocol and in line with Civil Service Jobs privacy notice.
The Planning Inspectorate does not fund travel and subsistence for candidates to attend interviews.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Recruitment
The Civil Service Careers site has published a new page for candidates, covering what they should consider before using AI in their applications or interviews. Please click on the link below:
Artificial intelligence and recruitment
Reserve list
A reserve list may be held for a period of 3 months from which further appointments can be made.
Future Matches
Candidates who demonstrate strong potential and future readiness but score just below the required level at interview may be considered for alternative positions. These roles may be at a lower grade but align with their skills and offer opportunities for growth.
We encourage all candidates to make themselves familiar with the role and what we will be assessing you against which is detailed in the Person Specification.
ID and Documents
If the job needs specific qualifications or memberships and you get the job, you'll need to send scanned or photographed images of them before you start.
We must check that any successful candidates are allowed to work for the Civil Service before we employ them. If successful, you will be asked to do a right to work check using identity document validation technology (IDVT) through the services of an Identity Service Provider (IDSP), Civil Service Jobs. If we are unable to confirm your right to work and through the IDVT we will need to do a manual right to work check using original documents with you in person.
Visa Sponsorship
The Planning Inspectorate cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates, we do not hold a Visa sponsorship licence.
Disability Confident Interview scheme/Reasonable Adjustments
The Civil Service values diversity and offers equal opportunities. We have a Disability Confident Interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the job's minimum criteria. We will also provide reasonable adjustments to all where possible. For more information please see Reasonable Adjustments , Civil Service Careers.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name :
- Phillip Harris
- Email :
- PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email :
- PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact in the first instance: The Vacancy Manager via the Recruitment Team (PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk).
If you are not satisfied with the response, you receive you should then contact, Chief People Officer, via the Recruitment Team (PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk).
If you are still not satisfied with the response you receive from the Planning Inspectorate, you can contact the Office of the Civil Service Commission. https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/recruitment-complaints/
Attachments
EVP(Great_Place_To_Work)
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(pdf, 534kB)Guidance on how to structure your application_ CV
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(pdf, 499kB)
