HR Business Partner

Schools’ Choice; Brentwood; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A reputable authority is seeking an HR Business Partner to join their People & OD team in Essex. In this role, you will provide strategic HR support across two councils, influencing senior leaders, managing HR projects, and ensuring effective HR service delivery while promoting diversity and inclusion.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Engaging workload

Professional skill development

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 5 qualified or equivalent experience.
• Experience in HR Business Partner or Senior HR Advisor roles, ideally in public sector.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practices.

Responsibilities

• Deliver expert HR advice on issues like employee relations and organisational change.
• Lead corporate HR projects and initiatives for efficiency.
• Line manage and support a HR Officer.

Skills

Employee Relations

HR Best Practice

Change Management

Leadership

Communication

Education

CIPD Level 5

Job description

Job Title: HR Business Partner
Location: Essex (with hybrid working across two council sites)
Pay Rate: £24.75 per hour
Contract Type: Full-Time, Temporary for 6 months

Are you an experienced HR professional ready to step into a strategic business partnering role within a forward-thinking and collaborative public sector environment?

We're delighted to be supporting a respected local authority partnership in the search for a HR Business Partner to join their People & OD team. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference-working across two councils to deliver effective, people-focused HR solutions that align with wider organisational change and strategic development.

About the Role:

Reporting to the Service Manager - People & OD, you will act as a trusted HR advisor to senior leaders and managers, playing a key role in both strategic initiatives and complex operational matters. You'll also deputise for the Service Manager when needed, providing leadership representation at internal and external forums.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver expert advice on the full spectrum of HR issues, including case management, employee relations, organisational change, and TUPE.
• Lead and contribute to corporate HR projects and OD initiatives that drive efficiency and engagement.
• Develop, review and embed HR policies and training in line with best practice and current employment legislation.
• Maintain a proactive presence across both partner councils to ensure continuity, consistency, and resilience of HR service delivery.
• Line manage and support the development of a HR Officer and oversee accurate payroll processing.
• Support equality, diversity and inclusion, learning and development, wellbeing, employee engagement, and digital process improvement.
• Contribute to the implementation of the Organisational Development strategy and workforce priorities across the councils.

About You:

• CIPD Level 5 qualified (or equivalent experience) with a strong commitment to CPD.
• Demonstrable experience in a HR Business Partner or Senior HR Advisor capacity, ideally within the public sector or a unionised environment.
• Confident in leading complex employee relations cases, delivering training, and managing change initiatives.
• Strong working knowledge of employment law and HR best practice, with the ability to translate this into practical, people-focused solutions.
• A skilled communicator with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Comfortable managing competing priorities in a fast-paced, multi-site environment.
• Flexible to work across both council locations, with occasional evening or regional travel commitments.

Why Apply?

• Be part of a collaborative and supportive People & OD team making a real organisational impact.
• Lead meaningful HR and OD change in a values-led public service.
• Enjoy flexible working arrangements and a varied, engaging workload.
• Develop your professional skills and contribute to a service committed to continuous improvement.

Interested in leading HR innovation and supporting organisational change in the public sector?
Apply today or contact one of our consultants to find out more.