AWE is currently recruiting for a Workforce Planning Manager to play a critical role in ensuring the organisation's workforce is strategically aligned with financial affordability and operational needs.
Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking. Plans to relocate role to Green Park (Reading), from December 2025.
Package: Starting from £46,950 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience)
Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.
Ready to play your part?
At AWE, it's not just a job, it's far more than that. Our shared purpose is to help keep the nation safe. Could this role be the opportunity for you to play your part?
As the Workforce Planning Manager, you will oversee the full-time equivalent (FTE) mix, ensuring it remains within the finance-approved affordability envelope while maintaining a balanced and effective employee composition.
You will be involved in workforce planning & optimisation, collaboration & strategic alignment, data & reporting and continuous improvement & future planning, including:
* Monitor and manage the FTE mix, balancing permanent staff, contingent workers, and contractors to meet business needs within financial targets.
* Partner with Finance, Commercial, and Resource Managers to align workforce plans with budget forecasts and project demands.
* Produce regular and ad hoc reports on workforce composition, leveraging digital planning tools to enhance data accuracy and support strategic decisions.
* Drive improvements in workforce data management and contribute to long-term planning, including scenario modelling to prepare for future talent needs.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for a candidate with hands-on experience in workforce planning, ideally within complex industries such as aerospace or defence. The ideal individual will be confident in using data analytics and HR metrics to inform decision-making and proactively identify and address workforce-related challenges. A strategic mindset, combined with analytical capability and a proactive approach to problem-solving, is essential for success in this role.
We do need you to have the following:
* Minimum of 5 years of experience in HR with extensive experience in strategic workforce planning or similar environment.
Whilst not to be considered a tick list, we'd like you to have experience in some of the following:
* Proficiency in predictive modelling, statistics, and workforce analytics.
* Familiarity with human capital trends and business strategy.
* Ability to analyse complex workforce data and trends.
* Develop long-term workforce plans that align with organisational goals.
* Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders.
* Strong collaboration and communication skills to work effectively with various departments.
* Strong influencing skills at senior levels.
* Coaching skills.
You'll need to have the ability to work calmly and constructively in a priority changing environment and be able to manage your own workload. You will also have initiative, enthusiasm, a flexible approach, and ability to work to tight deadlines.
Some reasons we think you'll love it here:
AWE has wide range of benefits to suit you. These include:
* 9-day working fortnight - meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
* Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
* Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
* Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
* Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
* Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
* Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
* Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.
The 'Working at AWE' page on our website is where you can find full details in the 'AWE Benefits Guide'.
Hybrid working is available for this role on an informal, non-contractual basis. Typically 3 days onsite per week.
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