ID 4055
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The Welsh Government operates name-free recruitment. The recruiting panel will not see personal information such as a candidate’s name and address during the sifting process. This policy is in line with our commitment to end bias and promote equality and diversity.
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Vacancy details
Vacancy title
Head of People and Culture for the Disused Tips Authority Salary range - £61,098 - £78,449
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Closing date
08/09/2026, 16:00
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Advertising basis
Permanent, Secondment
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Actual starting salary
Starting salary: £61,098 per annum. The role sits within a pay range that extends to £78,449, with progression subject to the Authority's pay arrangements. Please note that, whilst these roles will initially be hosted by the Welsh Government, posts within the Disused Tips Authority are subject to the Authority's own pay and reward arrangements. The Welsh Government salary scales displayed alongside this vacancy do not apply to these roles. For candidates who can demonstrate exceptional skills, experience and expertise, there may be scope to appoint above the advertised starting salary, up to the maximum of the approved pay range, subject to the Authority's pay arrangements and relevant approvals.
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Salary range or pay band
Other
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Allowances
No
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Work pattern
Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)
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Group
Local Government, Housing, Rural Resilience & Sustainability Group
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Directorate
Climate Change & Env Sustainability
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Branch
Disused Tips Authority
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Location (s)
Other location (including outside of Wales)
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Specific Location
Specific Location: Merthyr Tydfil (DTA Headquarters). The Disused Tips Authority's headquarters will be based in Merthyr Tydfil. When the Authority is established on 1 April 2027, a number of regional hubs will also be available across Wales; however, Merthyr Tydfil will remain the organisation's headquarters.
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Purpose of post
Help build the organisation behind one of Wales' newest public bodies.
The Disused Tips Authority for Wales is being established as the national public body responsible for overseeing the safety, management and regulation of disused tips across Wales. Operating in a high-profile, safety-critical environment, our success will depend not only on technical expertise, but on the people, culture and leadership that enable us to deliver our purpose.
As Head of People & Culture, you will play a critical leadership role in building the organisation from the inside out. You will shape our culture, develop our people and create the workforce capability needed to deliver our statutory responsibilities, ensuring colleagues are supported, empowered and united by a shared purpose.
This is a broad strategic role. Alongside leading all aspects of people, organisational development and culture, you will ensure our workforce strategy, leadership capability and people systems are aligned to the Board's strategic vision and Corporate Plan, creating the conditions for sustainable organisational success.
Beyond the organisation itself, you will play a pivotal role in developing the Authority's ambition to become a recognised centre of excellence for workforce capability and professional practice. Working with partners across Wales, you will help shape the future profession by strengthening technical capability, developing leadership, influencing professional standards and creating the talent pipelines needed to support the long-term management of disused tips.
The role is both inward and outward facing:
Internally, you will create a positive, inclusive and high-performing culture where people feel valued, supported and connected to the Authority's purpose, values and ambitions.
Externally, you will work with government, local authorities, professional bodies, education providers and other partners to strengthen workforce capability across Wales and build the skills needed for the future.
This is a unique opportunity to shape the culture, capability and future workforce of a new national organisation, helping establish the Disused Tips Authority as both an employer of choice and a recognised centre of excellence in people, leadership and professional capability.
Important: The Disused Tips Authority for Wales will be established as an independent Welsh Public Body and separate legal entity on 1 April 2027. Until then, these roles will be hosted by the Welsh Government, providing a unique opportunity to help create and shape a new national organisation from the outset.
Successful candidates will initially be employed by the Welsh Government before transferring to the Disused Tips Authority when it becomes operational on 1 April 2027, with continuity of employment maintained throughout.
The Disused Tips Authority is a separate organisation from the Welsh Government. Please disregard any Welsh Government guidance, policies or recruitment information linked within this advert and refer to the accompanying Candidate Information Pack for information relevant to this vacancy.
To learn more about the Authority's purpose, ambitions, culture, values, benefits and recruitment journey, please review the Candidate Information Pack and recruitment video.
Help build a new public body for Wales: Disused Tips Authority for Wales
General Candidate Information Pack - 2026 Recruitment Campaign
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Key tasks
Key Tasks
Building a people-first organisation
You'll develop and lead the Authority's People & Culture Strategy, ensuring our workforce, leadership and organisational development activities support delivery of our statutory responsibilities while creating an organisation where people can thrive.
Shaping our culture
You'll create and embed a values-led culture where colleagues feel trusted, included and empowered to do their best work. You'll champion wellbeing, inclusion and psychological safety while fostering accountability, continuous learning and high performance.
Developing people and capability
You'll lead workforce planning, recruitment, learning and development, leadership development and talent management, ensuring the Authority has the capability and capacity to meet future challenges and deliver its long-term ambitions.
Supporting strategic delivery
You'll ensure our people strategy, organisational design and workforce planning are fully aligned to the Authority's Corporate Plan and organisational priorities, translating strategic ambition into practical delivery and organisational performance.
Developing a national profession
You'll lead the Authority's work to strengthen workforce capability across Wales, working with Welsh Government, local authorities, professional bodies, higher education and industry partners to develop professional standards, learning pathways and leadership capability.
You'll help establish the Authority as a recognised centre of excellence by developing the talent pipelines, skills and professional capability needed to support the long-term management and regulation of disused tips across Wales.
Leading a high-performing function
You'll build and lead a modern, values-led People & Culture function, delivering high-quality HR, organisational development and employee experience while creating an environment where your team can thrive and deliver excellent outcomes.
Successful candidates will have a degree in Human Resources, Organisational Development, Business Management or a related discipline, or be able to demonstrate significant relevant experience in senior HR, people, organisational development or workforce leadership roles.
Technical Capabilities
Important: The technical capabilities listed below will be assessed throughout the selection process. Please refer to these capabilities when preparing your application and provide evidence of how you meet them through your qualifications, skills and experience.
Strategic People Leadership
Developing and delivering organisation-wide people, culture and workforce strategies aligned to organisational priorities.
Translating organisational vision into practical people plans that enable delivery of statutory responsibilities.
Organisational Development & Culture
Leading organisational development, culture change and values-led transformation.
Creating inclusive, high-performing workplaces where people feel engaged, supported and able to thrive.
Workforce Capability & Talent Development
Developing workforce capability, leadership and succession strategies to meet current and future organisational needs.
Designing learning, leadership development and talent management approaches that build long-term organisational resilience.
Workforce Partnerships & Professional Capability
Building trusted relationships with Welsh Government, public bodies, professional institutions, education providers and other partners to strengthen workforce capability across Wales.
Developing professional standards, skills pathways and talent pipelines that support the Authority's ambition to become a recognised centre of excellence.
Strategic Workforce Planning & Organisational Delivery
Leading workforce planning, organisational design and people initiatives that support delivery of corporate strategy and organisational objectives.
Aligning people, culture and organisational development activity to measurable business outcomes.
Leadership & Professional Judgement
Providing strategic advice and challenge to senior leaders on workforce, organisational development, culture and change.
Exercising sound judgement when balancing organisational priorities, people needs, risk and public accountability within a complex and evolving environment.
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Development opportunities
This role offers an exceptional opportunity to shape the people strategy, culture and organisational development of a new national public body. Combining strategic HR leadership, organisational development, workforce planning, leadership development and organisational design, you will play a defining role in creating one of Wales' most important new public organisations.
Beyond leading the Authority's people function, you will help shape the future profession across Wales by developing workforce capability, influencing professional standards and creating the talent pipelines needed to support a safety-critical sector for generations to come.
Working alongside the Chief Executive, Executive Team and Board, you will help establish the Authority as both an employer of choice and a recognised centre of excellence for leadership, workforce capability and organisational excellence.
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Other vacancy related information
Establishing the Disused Tips Authority
The Disused Tips Authority (DTA) will become fully operational on 1 April 2027. We are recruiting now for a number of senior leadership roles to help shape the organisation, build its capability and culture, and prepare the Authority to assume its statutory responsibilities from day one. This is a unique opportunity to join the DTA during its formative stages and play a key role in establishing a new public body for Wales.
Important: The Disused Tips Authority is a separate organisation from the Welsh Government. Please disregard any Welsh Government guidance, policies, or recruitment information linked within this advert and refer to the accompanying Candidate Information Pack for the information relevant to this vacancy.
Employment Arrangements
As the Disused Tip Authority will not formally exist until 1 April 2027, these roles will initially be hosted by the Welsh Governments Successful candidates will be employed by the Welsh Government until 31 March 2027 while working exclusively on the establishment of the Disused Tip Authority. From 1 April 2027, employees will transfer to the new Authority as it becomes operational. Throughout this transition, continuity of employment will be maintained. Successful candidates will initially be employed on Welsh Government terms and conditions. The DTA's proposed terms and conditions are included within the Candidate Pack, and employees will have the opportunity to move onto these arrangements following the Authority's establishment.
Secondment Opportunities and Eligibility Requirements
Candidates should note that this post is also being offered as a Permanent Opportunity and a Secondment opportunity.
If you would like to apply via a Secondment the below eligibility guidance, will apply.
Eligibility Verification:
All Secondment Applications will be assessed against the below stated criteria.
You must obtain prior agreement from your employer to be released on secondment before applying. Please ensure you have line management approval.
During the secondment, you will remain on the terms, conditions, and payroll of your home organisation.
Inward secondees are not eligible for Disused Tips Authority pay awards or rewards.
Location
The Authority's headquarters will be located at Rhydycar Business Park, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 1UZ. This will be the principal place of work and where most colleagues will come together to collaborate with one another and with stakeholders.
The successful candidate will be expected to attend the office in Merthyr Tydfil regularly to support collaboration and stakeholder engagement. For full-time employees, this will typically be 2–3 days per week, with attendance requirements adjusted on a pro-rata basis for part-time employees.
As a national organisation serving communities across Wales, the DTA will also establish a number of regional hubs and collaboration spaces. Details of these locations are currently being developed and will be confirmed ahead of the Authority becoming operational. Merthyr Tydfil will remain the Authority's headquarters.
Salary
Starting salary: £61,098 per annum. The role sits within a pay range that extends to £78,449 with progression subject to the Authority's pay arrangements.
For candidates who can demonstrate exceptional experience, expertise and market value, a higher starting salary within the approved pay range may be considered.
The Disused Tips Authority has its own pay and reward arrangements, which are separate from Welsh Government pay structures. The salary quoted above reflects the Authority's pay framework and not Welsh Government pay bands or terms.
Assessment Weightings
Where more than one appointable candidate is identified, the following criteria will be applied in the order listed below:
Demonstration of our values, including trust-building and alignment with the organisation's purpose and culture.
Technical capability in strategic people leadership, organisational development, culture change, workforce planning, talent development, partnership working and professional judgement.
Relevant experience leading people, culture or organisational development functions, developing workforce capability and talent, driving organisational change, and providing strategic people advice within complex or evolving environments.
Desirable criteria, listed below,
Welsh language skills.
Additional Assessment Activities
A degree in Human Resources, Organisational Development, Business Management or a related discipline, or can you demonstrate significant relevant experience in senior HR, people, organisational development or workforce leadership roles
Important: Technical Capabilities' are set out under Key Tasks.
Stage One – Application Applying for a role with us is straightforward.
You will be asked to provide:
A CV
A Personal Statement (maximum 1,250 words)
Your CV should provide an overview of your career history, including your current and previous roles, key responsibilities, achievements, qualifications and any relevant professional memberships. It should give us a clear understanding of your experience and career progression but does not need to repeat the evidence provided in your personal statement.
Your personal statement should be structured around the technical capabilities outlined in the online job advert. Please explain how your knowledge, skills and experience demonstrate your ability to meet these requirements. You do not need to address every bullet point individually. Instead, provide relevant examples that demonstrate your capability across the key technical areas.
We encourage you to draw on a range of experiences and clearly describe your personal contribution, the actions you took, the outcomes you achieved and the impact you had.
Assessment at Stage 1 will be based on the evidence provided in your CV and personal statement against the technical capabilities, relevant experience and any role-specific requirements outlined in the advert.
Stage Two – Interview
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a proportionate G7 interview assessing:
values, including Trust-Building and wider alignment to TIPS;
technical capability in strategic people leadership, organisational development, culture change, workforce planning, talent development, partnership working and professional judgement.
relevant experience leading people, culture or organisational development functions, developing workforce capability and talent, driving organisational change, and providing strategic people advice within complex or evolving environments.
To learn more about the Authority's purpose, ambitions, culture, values, benefits and recruitment journey, please review the Candidate Information Pack and recruitment video.
Help build a new public body for Wales: Disused Tips Authority for Wales
General Candidate Information Pack - 2026 Recruitment Campaign
A presentation on Technical Competence will be required at Interview. More information will be provided in the invitations to that stage.
In the event of a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted against the lead assessment criterion: technical capabilities. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Our Values
We assess candidates against our TIPS values: Trust-Building, Integrity-Led, Purpose-Driven and Skilled & Collaborative. Full details of our values and culture can be found in the Candidate Information Pack.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for these opportunities. Candidates offered reserve status will remain on the reserve list until the Disused Tips Authority is established in April 2027. Those placed on the reserve list will only be considered for opportunities within the Disused Tips Authority and will not be considered for Welsh Government vacancies.
Desirable
The following qualities are desirable and will only be considered where two or more candidates achieve the same score at the application or interview stage.
It would be desirable for candidates to be a Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and to have demonstrable experience leading strategic HR, organisational development or people functions within the public sector or other complex, regulated organisations.
Welsh Language Ability. The Disused Tips Authority is committed to operating as a bilingual organisation and providing services in both Welsh and English. We want our workforce to reflect the communities we serve and play an active role in promoting and normalising the use of Welsh in the workplace.
Our Commitment to the Welsh Language
The Disused Tips Authority is committed to operating as a bilingual organisation and to providing services in both Welsh and English. We want our workforce to reflect the communities we serve and to play an active role in promoting and normalising the use of Welsh in the workplace. We welcome applications from Welsh speakers and from individuals who are committed to developing their Welsh language skills. We will support colleagues at all levels to learn, use and increase their confidence in Welsh as part of their day-to-day work, helping to build a truly bilingual organisation.
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Vetting level
Basic
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Number of posts
1
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Contact point for further information regarding the post
[email protected]
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