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Main Purpose of the job:

* Co-ordinate, direct and lead the team in the provision of a comprehensive, value added, high quality expert and professional HR service across all Council directorates on all aspects of human resources. The role will provide expert advice on employment legislation and on Council policies and procedures to minimise risk and reputational damage to the Council. As part of the HR function it provides a comprehensive value added, high quality Human Resource Management Service in partnership with directorate services, ensuring the delivery of a customer focused professional service.

* Work with the Directorate Leadership teams in collaboration with the Strategic HR Business Partner, ensuring the alignment of HR and business strategy at directorate level to support the implementation of directorates’ business strategies from a people perspective. This will include supporting workforce planning across the directorates

* Lead and direct the team in the provision of a high quality HR advisory services supporting directorates on complex employee relations issues and cases, including organisational change (i.e. restructuring and TUPE), and employee relations case work

* Overall management and responsibility of all the day to day operational aspects of all employee relation matters across the Council, working collaboratively across the HR function and wider organisation to ensure the delivery of a customer focused and professional service.

* As a member of the extended HR Leadership team, contribute to the overall leadership and management of the HR function and make a proactive contribution to the development of HR strategy and policy, using data, metrics and evidence to inform and drive decision making and change across the Council.

Key Responsibility

* Direct and manage the team in the provision of high quality expert HR employee relation services, including providing expert advice, guidance and support across the directorates on complex people management issues and cases, including organizational change (restructuring and TUPE), and employee relations case work, ensuring the delivery of a customer focused and professional service.

* Support the delivery of services’ priorities in all aspects of people management, developing effective working relationships with managers to achieve that.

* Lead and direct the team in the provision of expert advice and support to managers on complex management of change issues including reorganisation /restructuring redundancy/redeployment, outsourcing/TUPE, job evaluation and consultation processes. This will include providing advice on financial and equality implications; job design, establishment control and reconciliation.

* Analyse, monitor and review all HR metrics for the directorate(s), preparing reports and recommendations for DMT and other service management meetings. This will include using external insight and intelligence to help inform recommendations.

* Monitor and review the effectiveness of HR policies and protocols across the Directorates, identifying areas for improvement and development and making recommendations for the development of HR policy to support the continual smooth running of the Council. Review and develop areas of HR policy and practice as allocated, ensuring the Councils policies and procedures are legally compliant and in line with best practice.

* Build and maintain constructive working relationships with trade union representatives and other staff representatives. Undertake consultation and negotiation participating as necessary in Directorate consultative forums.

* Support and encourage managers to make best use of the Council’s learning and development offer, working with the learning and development team, to ensure that staff have the knowledge, skills and experience to fulfil individual and organisational needs and ambitions.

* Advise and coach managers to improve people management and performance across the Directorates

* Oversee the design and delivery of people management training and play an active role in the delivery of induction events, engagement activities, and inclusion initiatives.

* Support the development of a working environment where every individual’s unique contribution is valued and respected, enabling all employees to thrive and achieve their full potential.

* Work in partnership with colleagues across the council and external partners/suppliers to in ensure the effective delivery of employee relations services, this will include but not be limited to colleagues in legal services, finance, audit, H&S and communications, occupational health

* Undertake research and project work as required including preparing and presenting reports, and oversee and or support the implementation of such projects as appropriate.

* Keep abreast of changes in legislation, case law and best practice ensuring that these are then reflected in changes to Council policy and practice accordingly.

* Undertake any other duties commensurate with the post

Knowledge and Experience

* Successful track record as an HR practitioner in a complex environment/organisation.

* Experience of managing others and setting performance targets.

* Up to date knowledge of corporate and business challenges facing local authorities and public bodies and how to deliver people management solutions that address those

* Sound knowledge of employee engagement, employment law, best practice and employee relations to deliver key outcomes that support the organisation’s priorities and objectives.

* Experience of successfully developing and implementing people management solutions to deliver agreed organisational outcomes

* Good track record in leading and delivering people management initiatives and interventions to improve performance management and the employee experience.

* Good understanding and experience of the political interface in a local authority and the role and needs of elected members.

* Experience of successfully managing relationships and stakeholders within a complex organisation.

* Experience of working in a unionised environment