Workforce Planning Analyst Opportunities
Location: Agile – Newcastle and Homeworking
Salary: Band 9 £42,861 - £49,716 pa (Please note it is Northumbria Police policy to appoint at the beginning of the band)
Contract: We have both permanent and fixed term opportunities
Working for #TeamNP
Our purpose at Team NP is simple: to keep people safe and to fight crime. But it takes more than officers alone to do the job – and that’s where our 2,000-strong team of police staff and 200 volunteers come in.
As one of the largest police forces in England we have a huge variety of departments and specialisms offering you endless opportunities. From mentoring and coaching schemes and online soft skills courses to leadership development programmes; we’ll give you the support, training and time to carve out the career you always wanted.
As one of the top 50 UK inclusive employers and a disability confident employer, we promote a culture of respect in the workplace so everyone can feel seen, heard and valued.
Whether you’re a member of staff or a volunteer, you can also expect first-rate support to manage your health and wellbeing. With year-round events, a 24/7 welfare support hotline and a leading approach to neurodiversity, our initiatives enable you to be at your best.
Above all else, here at Team NP, we can offer you a career that is so much more than just a job, it’s a chance to be part of something that really matters.
Learn about our full benefits package
Workforce Planning Analysts wanted: can you use data and analysis to strengthen policing and protect the public?
Workforce Planning is a systematic, evidence-based process through which we use people systems, integrated data, and analytics to anticipate, design, and manage our workforce. This includes workforce levels, skills, deployment, and composition. Our aim is to ensure the Force can meet current and future policing demands, risks, and public service obligations within available resources.
Our work goes beyond staff numbers. It encompasses:
- A single, trusted view of the workforce
- Insight into capacity, capability, and risk
- Predictive and scenario-based decision support for leaders
- Skills and capability (investigation, safeguarding, digital forensics, leadership)
- Workforce mix (officers, staff, PCSOs, specials, volunteers, partners, technology)
- Time and resilience (shifts, fatigue, wellbeing, succession)
- Risk and legality (critical roles, statutory duties, public safety)
We own all core people systems, associated technologies and data, providing technical leadership to maximise their use and benefits. We provide data-driven analysis on people performance, workforce composition, capacity and capability. The aim is to translate complex and extensive data into actionable insights. We help mitigate risks and optimise workforce investments.
Our Workforce Planning & Insights Department has three main functions:
- People Performance & Systems
- Capacity Planning
- Capability Planning
We are looking for a People Performance & Systems Analyst however, if you are interested in any of the above functions, please get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to discuss further.
To help you explore which area might be the best fit, we’ve attached job descriptions for all three functions. Please review them before applying, as your application can be considered across multiple roles.
People Performance & Systems Analyst
The role: what you will do
This is a strategic role at the heart of workforce planning and people analytics. You will transform complex data into compelling insights that shape organisational decisions. You will require advanced data visualisation and storytelling techniques, and the ability to provide a clear narrative on workforce trends, capacity, and capability, enabling leaders to make informed, future-focused decisions.
You will not only analyse and interpret people metrics but also present them in a way that tells the bigger picture—connecting data to organisational priorities and strategic goals. Your work will influence resourcing in the widest sense, including recruitment, retention, development, and resource allocation strategies across the organisation.
Strategic Workforce Insights
- Gather, analyse, and interpret a wide range of people metrics (performance, demographics, capability, deployment) to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
- Develop forecasting and modelling tools for scenario planning and predictive analytics to inform strategic workforce decisions.
- Provide narrative-driven reports and presentations that translate data into actionable insights for senior leaders.
Data Visualisation & Insights
- Design and deliver impactful dashboards, visual reports, and presentations that simplify complex datasets and highlight key messages.
- Use storytelling techniques to connect workforce data to organisational priorities, enabling clear and persuasive communication at all levels.
Systems & Process Development
- Manage and optimise core people systems, ensuring data accuracy, integrity and usability for strategic analysis.
- Develop tools and processes that future-proof workforce planning and enable rapid updates for evolving organisational needs.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Build strong relationships across the organisation to understand resource pressures, competing priorities, and strategic objectives.
- Act as a trusted advisor, influencing decisions through evidence-based insights and clear communication.
Continuous Improvement
- Drive innovation in workforce analytics and reporting, leveraging technology and best practices to enhance insight delivery.
What you’ll bring
Essential:
- Degree-level education or equivalent experience.
- Expertise in workforce planning, data analytics, and strategic insight generation.
- Advanced skills in data visualisation and insights (e.g., dashboards, presentations).
- Ability to compose narrative-driven reports for senior audiences under strict timelines.
- Advanced data handling skills and experience with large relational databases.
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with a creative approach to interpreting data.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills; able to present complex information clearly and persuasively.
- Experience with BI tools
- Ability to prioritise multiple projects and deliver in a fast-paced environment.
Desirable:
- Experience in workforce design or development functions in a large organisation.
- Public sector experience.
Interested to learn more?
For further information about the role please contact Tracy Little by email at tracy.little@northumbria.police.uk
What we offer
- 26 days’ leave (increasing to 30 days for 5 years+ service) plus 8 bank holidays
- NHS Fleet Solutions Car Lease Scheme
- Enhanced maternity, shared parental and adoption leave
- Flexible working (we are happy to discuss options such as compressed hours)
- Agile working – option to work from home, your team zone, and spaces across the force
- Market-leading public sector pension scheme with up to 16% employer contribution
- Corporate travel schemes – local rail, bus services and metro discounts
- Access to private healthcare and eye test vouchers
- Discounts on shopping and eating out thanks to the Blue Light Card and Blue Light Tickets
- We’ve invested in extensive paid sick leave, trained mental health first aiders on-site, an employee advice service for the times you need that additional support.
- Access to gyms in some stations
- Sports & Social Club – join our thriving sports scene at Team NP and enjoy further exclusive discounts on days out and travel
- Cycle to work scheme
- Opportunity to volunteer in local community
We are committed to building a dynamic, agile workplace with meaningful connections. For roles designated as agile or home-based, employees will work from a Force site at least once a week, with two days recommended. Hiring managers will be happy to discuss how this works in practice at interview stage. This approach helps build strong relationships, supports wellbeing, and fosters collaboration across teams.
Just so you know
Our application form will help us understand how your work, education and life experience has prepared you for the role of an analyst with #TeamNP. To help support your application research what makes us tick here at Northumbria, the role you’re applying for and the values and behaviours that contribute.
Our selection process includes:
- Initial Application – Complete our online application form.
- First Stage Interview – A competency-based and scenario-focused discussion to explore your skills and experience.
- Second Stage Interview – An opportunity to meet the team, see our systems in action, and learn more about the department.
Just so you know, you can save your application and come back to it any time prior to the closing date on the advert.
We are proud members of the Business Disability Forum, working together to improve the lives of disabled employees. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. In cases of very high application volumes, we may prioritise those who most closely meet the criteria, applying the same fair approach for all candidates.
If you tell us that you have a disability, we can make adjustments to support you through the recruitment process (for example we can arrange extra time for tests or provide a sign language interpreter). You can get in touch with us via careers@northumbria.police.uk for any support regarding the application process. Please provide us with plenty of notice so we can ensure your visit goes smoothly.
Use of AI in Applications
At Northumbria Police, we embrace innovative technologies to enhance our recruitment process. We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While AI can be a valuable resource, we encourage applicants to ensure their submissions accurately reflect their personal qualifications, experiences, and skills. Our selection process includes thorough evaluations to verify the authenticity and suitability of all applications. We value genuine and thoughtful responses that showcase your unique strengths and perspectives.
If your application is successful, we’ll ask you to complete a Recruitment Vetting (RV) form, therefore you must be a resident of the UK for a minimum period of 3 years to ensure vetting checks can be successfully performed. A job offer will be dependent upon vetting clearance, medical information, and references.
Terms of appointment
Permanent and fixed term roles are subject to a six-month probationary period.
If you are successful in your application, you will have a six-month probation period with us where you will be unable to apply for any other post advertised internally or externally.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.