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Paul .

Lead Business Manager

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Chief Digital Information Office (CDIO)

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Top Insider Advice

Make a difference in whatever you do. The roles in your career may change frequently or be quite stable. You may stick to one profession, end up working in a few or work in one you would never have expected to work in. Your best profession may not yet even exist! But whatever you do - make a positive difference. That difference can be to your customers, the public, the service you provide or the people you work with. It will be different in the roles you do - but make sure you change things for the better.

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Career path

Lead Business Manager

HMRC - CDIO SAP Practice

Started 12/2020 to Present

HR Business Partner - Strategic HR Business Partnering role

HMRC HR CCG OD and Strategic Resourcing Teams

From 01/2019 to 12/2020

Project Manager - Skills and Capability

HMRC HR CCG

From 10/2017 to 12/2018

Company

What do you like about your job and the company?

The work of a management team is varied, so that no day is the same. Every element has its challenge - trying to recruit SAP Specialists, ensuring we have the capacity to meet demand and balance the books. It's never straightforward. Being trusted to deliver is fantastic. I need to always improve what we do, be innovative, see the risks, respond quickly and confidently to any set-backs and lead a fantastic team who have the confidence to use their skills. Developing my team is important to me, giving them space to learn, to try things and grow. Helping them to balance work and their own lives so they enjoy what they do, and work together is my way of working.

Greatest achievements

I've been lucky to work with and lead others, on huge change projects impacting everyone in HMRC and on modernisation programmes affecting the public. Whether it's working with others, leading them or supporting my peers, helping them to develop, learn, grow both professionally and as an individual is the achievement I'm most proud of.

Other insiders

Mads B

Compliance Caseworker

Top Insider Advice

The Tax Professional Programme is difficult, but that's ok because it prepares you for a leadership position within a world leading tax authority, embrace it. Although, you might often find it hard to juggle learning, casework and Quality Assurance Framework tasks, don't forget to get involved in activities that might switch your focus to other rewarding things, like volunteering, or getting involved in HMRC's Regional Pillars work, or being an ambassador / lead for one of the many networks we have. This will allow you to pause from your day-to-day activities and make you feel like you belong to a community of like minded people, rather than a student or a compliance caseworker.

Prudencia O

Top Insider Advice

1. Don’t be afraid to ask for support. No one succeeds alone. Join support networks, find a coach, mentor or sponsor. Get as much help as you can! 2. Step outside your comfort zone and take on new challenges, even if they are a bit scary! Growth doesn’t happen in familiar spaces. Take on challenges that stretch you, that make you uncomfortable and ultimately lead to new skills and greater confidence. 3. Make things happen – look for sideways moves to develop your skills, not just promotions. Think about development programmes. Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you, seek them out, take the initiative and be ready to step up when the moment comes. If you don’t make it happen, nobody will! 4. Resilience is essential. There’ll be lots of disappointments on your journey and times when you wonder whether it’s worth it. I can tell you without a doubt, it is. Keep trying, keep pushing. Remember, every obstacle is an opportunity to rise. Each setback is a chance to grow stronger and to learn something new, and every step you take brings you closer to the top of the ladder. 5. When you succeed in life or in your career, celebrate but also acknowledge that you didn’t do it alone. Nobody does! Above all, don’t pull the ladder up after you! Reach out and help others climb.

Daniel S

Top Insider Advice

I never thought I would get onto the TSP. I had to push myself out of my comfort zone to attend the assessment centres, take part in all of the activities. I continue to do so with my day job - I don't like presenting, but I do lots of it. It builds confidence and resilience. Rationalise what's the worse that could happen by trying something new, or taking on a new challenge. For me, with the assessment centre, if I didn't get accepted - so be it. I got good experience of interviewing. Met new and interesting people, and got free food from attending the assessment centre (back when they were in person). Once I told myself these things, I pushed myself out my comfort zone to attend the day. I had worked hard to get the invite, so although I wasn't confident in going and being myself, that's what I had to do and it worked out well. Take the set backs as opportunities to reflect, develop and learn from. Keep pushing through set backs and pushing yourself out of your normal comfort zone to be able to achieve the goals you set for yourself.

Discussions with Paul
Is there one thing you wish you'd known before you applied?
in Career Tips·Tuesday, March 28, 2023
1 response
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What is the work environment like?
in Career Tips·Tuesday, April 4, 2023
Picture of Hayley
2 responses
83 views