Role: Continuous Improvement, Quality and Systems Lead
District/Department: HR & Learning
Location: Force HQ, Carbrook House, Sheffield
Salary: £44,700 – £49,716
Hours: 37
Contract Type: Temporary for 12 months
Reporting to the Workforce Strategy, Systems and Transformation Lead, the role will support the delivery of a coherent continuous improvement, quality assurance and systems optimisation function across HR and Learning.
The post holder will ensure services are efficient, standardised and insight-led, with clearly defined processes, embedded quality controls and effective use of systems to support delivery. The role plays a key part in translating workforce strategy and transformation priorities into operational service improvements that enhance performance, strengthen compliance and support organisational resilience.
The role will contribute to embedding a culture of continuous improvement and ensuring HR and Learning services are auditable, consistent and aligned to organisational priorities, including the Force Management Statement and People Strategy.
Key responsibilities:
Continuous Improvement and Service Design
- Support the review, redesign and continuous improvement of end-to-end HR and Learning services
- Identify opportunities for simplification, standardisation, automation and improved service delivery
- Ensure processes are clearly defined, consistently applied and aligned to organisational priorities
- Support the development and delivery of a consistent HR and Learning quality assurance framework
- Undertake or contribute to QA activity, including:
Quality Assurance, Controls and Compliance
Audit and compliance checks
Dip sampling
Error identification and root cause analysis
- Ensure services align with policies, procedures and external requirements, supporting inspection readiness
- Support the optimisation of Oracle and associated systems as enablers of service performance
- Ensure systems align with agreed processes, controls and service delivery requirements
- Contribute to system improvements, testing, updates and user adoption
- Analyse service, system and quality data to identify trends, risks and opportunities
- Support the development of service performance measures, including demand, timeliness and quality
- Contribute to reporting on service performance, improvement activity and outcomes
- Work with HR, Learning and wider business areas to embed improvements and new ways of working
- Support implementation of consistent standards, processes and controls across services
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement, accountability and performance
Systems and Digital Enablement
Insight, Performance and Reporting
Stakeholder Engagement and Continuous Improvement Culture
You may also be required to carry out duties appropriate to your grade and work at various locations within South Yorkshire Police.
Skills and experience:
Essential
Level 5 qualification or PRINCE 2
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Proven ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders and present at governance forums
Experience of working with systems and data to support service delivery (HR systems desirable)
Ability to support change implementation and work collaboratively across teams
Experience of process mapping, documentation and continuous improvement activity
Analytical mindset with a focus on data-driven decision-making
Ability to process map and identify opportunities to streamline processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness
Desirable
Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher) or equivalent continuous improvement qualification.
Knowledge and experience of Oracle Cloud HCM
Experience working in HR, Learning or similar service environment
Experience in a public sector, policing or regulated environment
Skills and experience as documented in the role profile need to be evidenced in your application to be considered for interview.
For more detailed information relating to the role, skills and experience for this role, please click here to view the role profile.
Appearance & Standards:
South Yorkshire Police is committed to striking a proportionate balance between self-expression and the need to maintain role sensitive professional standards in dress and appearance. Officers, staff, and volunteers of South Yorkshire Police are permitted to have tattoos visible whilst on duty provided the tattoo is not considered to be unacceptable or otherwise inappropriate. Tattoos will be reviewed as part of the recruitment and selection process.
South Yorkshire Police’s overarching aim is to deliver an excellent police service to support safer communities. The public’s assessment of our excellence is influenced by the level of trust and confidence in us, as an organisation and as individuals. In comparison to the general public, police officers and police staff are held to a higher standards of behaviour and accountability. In applying to join the police, applicants are accepting of these higher standards and understand the implications on their right to privacy.
South Yorkshire Police’s Key Values:
At South Yorkshire Police we have 3 key values which run through everything we do Fairness, Integrity & Trust, the attached document details the key behaviours we expect all employees to adhere to.
Smarter ways of Working:
South Yorkshire Police is committed to developing working practices which assist staff to balance their personal and professional lives, whilst meeting the needs of the organisation. This in turn enables SYP to provide an outstanding service to the community.
There are 3 different categories as part of this which are: Fixed, Field and Hybrid.
This role has been evaluated as a Hybrid role.
Hybrid: Applicable when the work can be undertaken at any location, whether that be a SYP building or from home.
Contact details:
For further information about the role, please contact: Kate Housley, Kate.Housley@southyorkshire.police.uk
Closing Date: 20 July 2026
Closing dates are not normally extended, other than in exceptional circumstances and agreement is made between the Recruitment Manager and the Line Manager for the role.
Candidate Information:
Please note that, should you be successful at the interview stage and before appointment, the relevant pre-employment checks are required. These include references, medical clearance, vetting clearance and sickness absence criteria check.
Diversity & Inclusion:
Applications are particularly welcome from female and ethnic minority candidates.
It is really important to us that the department represents the community we serve, in order for us to provide the best service, utilising a range of backgrounds, experience and skills. We support and value all officers and staff and the unique experiences they bring to the role. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from these valuable underrepresented groups.
If you are from an underrepresented group and want to find out more about the support we can offer, please contact our dedicated team on positiveaction@southyorks.pnn.police.uk
In addition, we will look to support anyone who requires Part Time/Job share working hours.
Internal Candidates:
This vacancy is temporary; therefore you must have the support of your current Line Manager to apply. If you are a permanent member of staff, this would be classed as a secondment opportunity. If you are on a fixed term contract, you must contact the Recruitment Team before applying.
Please ensure that you and your current line manager complete the attached consent form. Please email the completed form to the hiring line manager, with the role title and the closing date stated in the subject of your email.
Without support, your application will not be considered any further.
Further Information:
This role is offered on a fixed-term basis in accordance with applicable employment legislation and South Yorkshire Police policy.
Fixed-term contracts are used where there is a genuine business need, such as project-based work, temporary cover or time-limited funding. The fixed term period is subject to change, linked to the posts requirements and may be subject to extension or early termination in line with appropriate notice period.
All fixed-term employees will receive equal treatment and access to opportunities in line with our commitment to fair and inclusive employment practices.
Where appropriate, fixed-term roles may be made permanent without the need for a further recruitment process.
Documents to Review:
For the Police Staff Recruitment Vetting Handbook - Please Click here
For Application Guidance and Tips - Please Click Here
For the FIT Values of South Yorkshire Police - Please Click Here
For Secondment Approval - Please Click Here
View our recruitment video:
You may also be required to carry out duties appropriate to your grade and work at various locations within South Yorkshire Police.
