Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development

Horsham District Council; Horsham; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an experienced HR professional to lead their HR management and Organizational Development services. This permanent, full-time role offers the opportunity to influence strategic and operational objectives while fostering an inclusive culture. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in HR policies, employment legislation, and organizational change, along with the ability to lead teams effectively. With a commitment to employee engagement and wellbeing, this role is perfect for someone looking to make a significant impact in a supportive and collaborative environment. Enjoy a flexible working model and comprehensive benefits while contributing to a high-performing council.

Benefits

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Flexible/hybrid working options

Car lease scheme

Local Government Pension Scheme

Professional development reimbursement

Qualifications

• Extensive expertise in HR policies and employment legislation.
• Experience leading change programs and managing teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide HR advice and support organizational changes.
• Analyze employment data and build effective relationships.

Skills

HR policies expertise

Employment legislation knowledge

Organizational change experience

Public sector development

Health and safety legislation

Team leadership

Education

Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (MCIPD)

ILM qualification

MBA

Tools

HR/payroll system configuration

Job description

About the role:

Horsham District Council is seeking an experienced HR professional to lead the council’s HR management and Organisational Development services, including corporate Health and Safety, Business Continuity, and Emergency Planning.

This is a permanent, full-time role, ideally starting on 1 September 2025.

We are committed to serving our residents and businesses and aim to be a successful, high-performing council. We recently moved to new offices in Horsham town center that support our hybrid working model.

Reporting to the Director of Resources, as Head of HR & OD, you will be professional, business-minded, and forward-thinking. You will ensure the delivery of the council’s strategic and operational objectives through HR strategies, policies, and processes, focusing on employee engagement, staff development, health and wellbeing, and fostering an inclusive culture. Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing advice to the council on HR and OD matters;
• Supporting organizational changes and local government reform;
• Building effective relationships with management, trade unions, and staff;
• Analyzing employment data and trends.

About you:

To succeed, you will have a persuasive manner and extensive expertise in HR policies, employment legislation, organizational change, and public sector development. You should also have:

• Full chartered membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (MCIPD) or equivalent;
• Experience leading change programs;
• Good knowledge of health and safety legislation, equality legislation, and responsibilities;
• Experience leading a team to deliver quality services.

A key focus for 2025/26 will be supporting the transition of the Council’s outsourced payroll to a new platform, including data transfer methods. Experience with HR/payroll system configuration, including employee self-service, would be advantageous.

For an informal discussion, please email Dominic Bradley, Director of Resources, at [e-mail].

Applicants invited for interview will be asked to complete a Thomas’ Personal Profile Analysis (PPA), offering insights into behavioral preferences and communication style.

About us:

We foster a friendly, supportive environment, and as a smaller council, you can get to know everyone.

We promote work-life balance with 28 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (pro-rata), and flexible/hybrid working options.

Our benefits include discounts through an online platform, a car lease scheme, and eligibility for the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), with the council contributing around 20% of pensionable salary.

We support professional development through reimbursement for subscriptions, training, apprenticeships, and qualifications such as ILM and MBA.

Visit our Jobs and Careers page to learn more about Working for Horsham District Council and our employment commitments.

To apply:

Clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria in the ‘Experience’ section of your application. Internal applicants should submit an expression of interest to [e-mail], explaining how you meet the criteria and what you bring to the role.