HR Manager – AR

HR Manager

Directorate: Finance
Division: HR Professional Services
Grade: PO6
Reports to: Deputy Head of HR

Job Purpose

To provide expert HR advice and support to senior managers and leaders across the Council, delivering high-quality employee relations, HR policy, organisational change and workforce solutions.

The HR Manager will lead and support HR advisers, manage complex and high-risk employee relations matters, and contribute to the Council’s Workforce Strategy and wider people priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert HR advice to Heads of Service, Assistant Directors, Headteachers and Governing Bodies.
• Lead complex employee relations cases, including disciplinary, grievance, performance, absence and Employment Tribunal matters.
• Advise and support managers through organisational change, restructures, redundancy and TUPE processes.
• Develop, review and implement HR policies in line with employment legislation and best practice.
• Lead HR projects and policy reviews, ensuring effective stakeholder engagement and timely delivery.
• Work collaboratively with trade unions, employee representatives and senior stakeholders.
• Analyse workforce and employee relations data to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Support the implementation of the Council’s Workforce Strategy and People Strategy.
• Manage, coach and develop HR advisers, overseeing workload, performance and case allocation.
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion across HR policies and practices.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of employment law, HR best practice and emerging legislation.
• Deputise for the Deputy Head of HR when required and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the HR service.

Key Skills & Experience

• Fully CIPD qualified or equivalent, with significant HR experience.
• Strong experience of complex employee relations and organisational change.
• Knowledge of employment law, TUPE and Employment Tribunal processes.
• Experience developing and implementing HR policies and leading HR projects.
• Experience working with senior managers, trade unions and employee representatives.
• Strong leadership, influencing, negotiation and communication skills.
• Ability to analyse HR data and provide evidence-based recommendations.
• Excellent organisation, prioritisation and project management skills.
• Ability to manage and develop professional HR teams.