Head of HR Advice & Operations - Ref: RT01226

WMJobs; Walsall; On-site; GBP 82,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

Walsall Council is seeking an experienced Head of Service - HR Operations and Advice to provide strategic leadership for HR operations, advice and workforce services within the HR and OD Leadership Team.

This key role will drive a modern, customer-focused HR service that enables managers to lead people confidently, fairly and consistently while improving outcomes for employees, services and residents across the borough.

Qualifications

• Significant senior HR leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and employee relations.
• A track record of leading service transformation and change.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Experience of using data and technology to improve services and workforce outcomes.
• A commitment to inclusive leadership and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop HR Operations and Advice services across the Council.
• Provide expert guidance on complex employee relations and employment matters.
• Drive service improvement, digital transformation and modern HR practices.
• Use workforce data and insight to inform decision-making and improve performance.
• Build strong relationships with senior leaders, schools, trade unions and partners.
• Support organisational change, workforce planning and the delivery of the Council's strategic priorities.
• Ensure HR services are legally compliant, customer-focused and value-driven.

Skills

Senior HR leadership

Employment law

Employee relations

Service transformation

Stakeholder management

Data-driven decisions

Inclusive leadership

Continuous improvement

Job description

Walsall Council, Head of HR Advice and Operations - Ref: RT01226 Grade: SMG1; £81,501 - £92,483 per annum Walsall Council is looking for an experienced and forward-thinking HR leader to join our HR and OD Leadership Team as Head of Service - HR Operations and Advice.

This key leadership role will provide strategic and operational direction for HR advice, employee relations, HR operations, employment policy, schools HR support and workforce services. You will lead the development of a modern, customer-focused HR service that enables managers to manage people confidently, fairly and consistently while improving outcomes for employees, services and residents.

You will:

• Lead and develop HR Operations and Advice services across the Council.
• Provide expert guidance on complex employee relations and employment matters.
• Drive service improvement, digital transformation and modern HR practices.
• Use workforce data and insight to inform decision-making and improve performance.
• Build strong relationships with senior leaders, schools, trade unions and partners.
• Support organisational change, workforce planning and the delivery of the Council's strategic priorities.
• Ensure HR services are legally compliant, customer-focused and value-driven.

You will be an experienced HR professional with:

• Significant senior HR leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and employee relations.
• A track record of leading service transformation and change.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Experience of using data and technology to improve services and workforce outcomes.
• A commitment to inclusive leadership and continuous improvement.

Join us and help build a modern, responsive and people-centred HR service for Walsall.

Closing Date: 6th September 2026 Interviews will be held mid September.

View: Job Description and Employee Specification

This post is covered by the Government’s Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for public sector workers. The post holder will be required to communicate verbally with customers and provide advice and/or information in accurate spoken English.

Walsall Council takes seriously the responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all the children, young people and vulnerable adults entrusted to our care and it is our expectation that all staff will share this commitment. We will ensure continuous development and improvement of robust recruitment processes and procedures that promote a culture of safeguarding amongst our workforce. Completion of an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is a requirement for working with children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Note: Applicants appointed to posts that require an enhanced DBS clearance must declare any periods of time that they have lived, studied or worked abroad and be prepared to provide an Overseas Criminal Records Certificate (OCRC) or a Statement of Good Conduct (SOGC) relating to anytime they were overseas.

Legislation imposes restrictions on political activity for certain local government employees. This position is designated as a politically restricted (sensitive) post as set out in Part 1 the Local Government & Housing Act 1989 and the Local Government (Political Restrictions) Regulations 1990 (LGO(PR)R 1990) [SI 851] and S.30 of the Local Democracy Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.

At Walsall Council, we appreciate that AI can be a useful tool for ideas or guidance. However, we encourage you to make sure your application reflects your own voice and experiences. Over-reliance on AI can make responses feel less personal, and we really want to understand what makes you unique. Your experiences, skills, and perspective are what set you apart, so please ensure your application as a whole - particularly your ‘Supporting Information’ - reflects your own voice.