HR Business Partner

Manchester City Council; Manchester; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Manchester City Council is seeking a full-time HR Business Partner to support the Children's and Education directorate. This role involves strategic HR support, project management, and workforce engagement, ideal for a skilled professional with a solid HR background. The position offers a diverse scope and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful city-wide change.

Benefits

Up to 26 days annual leave, increasing to 31 days after five years

Participation in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme

Enhanced parental and carers leave

Discounts on shopping, holidays, and more

Training, workshops, and apprenticeships

Membership in the Good Employment Charter

Up to 3 days paid volunteering leave annually

Qualifications

• Prior experience as a Business Partner, preferably in Local Authority.
• Strong HR background with knowledge of legislation.
• Ability to support and challenge senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Act as a strategic link between HR services and the Children's and Education directorate.
• Support key projects like Family First and workforce engagement.
• Manage consultations with JCC and trade unions.

Skills

Communication

Strategic thinking

Problem-solving

Project management

People management

Job description

Working Hours: 35 Hours per week

Contract Type: Full time / Temporary (6 months)

Closing Date: 11.59pm, 28 May 2025

This role is subject to:

• 2 References - where possible, we require 3 years' employment history.

We are seeking a full-time HR Business Partner to support our Children's and Education directorate. The role will act as the strategic link between HR services and the directorate, supporting key projects such as Family First and wider Children reforms, workforce engagement, social work recruitment, and retention, and implementing workforce strategies.

The ideal candidate will have prior BP experience, preferably from a Local Authority, with strong communication skills and the ability to support and challenge senior leaders. A solid HR background, knowledge of legislation, and understanding of the national policy context for local government are essential.

This role involves being a core member of the HR and OD Service, working on organisational design, service redesign, and managing consultations with JCC and trade unions. It offers a challenging and diverse scope, ideal for an ambitious, delivery-focused professional with a proven track record of delivering tangible outcomes.

Key requirements include:

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and influence at all levels.
• Strategic and cross-organisational thinking.
• Ability to assess policy impacts and use data for evidence-based decision making.
• Problem-solving skills under pressure.
• Strong planning, organising, and project management abilities.
• People management experience, including development and motivation of teams.
• Expertise in HR activities such as performance management, talent management, recruitment, employee relations, and employment law.
• Good knowledge of employment legislation and risk mitigation.
• Understanding of the national policy context for local government.

We are the local council for Manchester, a vibrant and diverse city. Working here means contributing to city-wide change, strengthening communities, and transforming lives.

Our vision, 'Manchester Is Our', emphasizes fairness, sustainability, and health, guiding all our actions and behaviors:

• Listening and understanding
• Collaboration and trust
• Valuing diversity and fairness
• Ownership and innovation
• Pride in Manchester

Benefits:

• Up to 26 days annual leave, increasing to 31 days after five years, plus bank holidays. Option to purchase additional leave.
• Participation in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with life cover.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave.
• Discounts on shopping, holidays, and more through MCR+.
• Training, workshops, apprenticeships, and onboarding programs.
• Membership in the Good Employment Charter, ensuring fair and flexible work practices.
• Up to 3 days paid volunteering leave annually.

Inclusive Team and Support:

Manchester City Council values diversity and encourages applications from all backgrounds, especially Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic communities, disabled individuals, and young people. We offer workplace adjustments, support networks, and ensure accessibility and disability-friendliness.

For role-specific adjustments or questions, contact [e-mail].

Assessment Scheme & Requirements:

We guarantee assessment opportunities for applicants meeting minimum criteria and belonging to specific groups such as armed forces members, care leavers, or those with disabilities.

Successful candidates must demonstrate their right to work in the UK and may need to undergo pre-employment checks including references, qualifications, DBS, residency, vetting, and driving license verification.

We are committed to supporting all employees and will provide necessary aids or adaptations to enable success in the role.