Job profiles - Officer & Management

I started the HMRC Management Fast Track in September 2004 and I’ve held quite a number of posts - including Consultant, Enforcement Standards Officer, Senior Detection Officer, Process Design Lead, Programme Support Office Manager and Project Manager. Right now, I’m leading a team of three on a project to give our senior managers the communication skills they need to engage with and lead their staff through periods of change.

My role involves securing an external supplier, organising a skills transfer with HMRC staff, liaising with business contacts, meeting and briefing senior stakeholders all the way up to ExCom level, securing resources from the business, managing implementation along Office of Government Commerce guidelines and managing a budget of £500,000.

The culture and work-life balance varies with the job that you're in. Some enforcement jobs need you to work odd hours and weekends, for which you get an extra allowance and time off in lieu. I’ve found that I like the jobs that involve the longer hours because I feel like I can earn the right to leave early on a Friday or have an extra hour in bed. HMRC respects your right to 'work to live' - there's no pressure in that respect. And the enforcement roles can be the most surprising. Working at an airport, I once suffered the ire of a reality TV show contestant who trotted out the old 'do you know who I am?' line. I honestly didn't have a clue...

If someone asked me about HMRC, I’d say first and foremost it's a friendly organisation. If you are open and honest, people will trust you and it's also a respectful organisation. There must be hundreds of different career paths and you've got the freedom to choose your own way. As a result, everyone gets a different experience of the organisation.