Hr Business Partner

Essential Employment; Devon and Torbay; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Job summary

Essential Employment is supporting a client with an experienced HR Business Partner to prepare for the Housing Competence and Conduct Standard, due October 2026. The placement runs until 31 March 2027 and focuses on the people development module within the wider standard.

The post holder will collaborate with Housing, Asset Maintenance and Asset Management to implement five key workstreams and translate regulatory requirements into practical actions.

Qualifications

• Seasoned HR Business Partner with ability to work with managers, develop HR processes, shape people development plans and support organisational change.
• Expertise in workforce planning, professional development, skills analysis and behavioural standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate five workstreams for Housing Competence and Conduct Standard implementation.
• Develop a Workforce Professional Development Policy for Housing/Asset Management staff.
• Create a housing-specific section of the Code of Conduct aligned to the standard.
• Conduct workforce evaluation and plan upskilling and course enrolment with Learning & Development.
• Incorporate tenant input into policies and include contractors/agency workers in development plans.

Skills

HR Business Partner

Workforce planning

Professional development

Skills analysis

Behavioural standards

Job description

This is a agency opportunity for an experienced HR Business Partner to support the Client's preparation for the new Housing Competence and Conduct Standard, which comes into effect in October 2026. The assignment will run until 31 March 2027 and will focus specifically on the people development module of the wider housing competency requirements.

The postholder will work alongside colleagues in Housing, Asset Maintenance and Asset Management to develop and implement five key workstreams:

1. Develop a Workforce Professional Development Policy for employees working in Housing and Asset Management.
2. Develop a housing-specific section of the Code of Conduct, aligned to the requirements of the Housing Competence and Conduct Standard.
3. Undertake a workforce evaluation with managers and develop a plan to review skills, behaviours and professional qualifications, including any required upskilling. Liaise with Learning and Development to ensure employees are appropriately enrolled on relevant courses and development pathways.
4. Develop a mechanism for tenant input into the workforce professional development policy and Code of Conduct.
5. Create a plan for contractors and agency workers to be included in skills development, upskilling and behavioural monitoring arrangements.

The role would suit a seasoned HR Business Partner who is confident working with managers, developing HR processes, shaping people development plans and supporting organisational change. The successful candidate will bring expertise in workforce planning, professional development, skills analysis and behavioural standards, with the ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical and deliverable actions.

The post will report to the Assistant Head of Service for HR but will be permanently assigned to this project for the duration of the placement. The postholder will not be expected to undertake standard employee relations casework or general business-as-usual HR activity. This is a dedicated project role, focused on supporting two key Council services to meet the people development, conduct and competency requirements of the new standard.

Hybrid, however, attendance may vary. There could be a requirement for the candidate to work in the community supporting colleagues that work in housing.

This is a full time role on a temporary contract basis.

Essential Employment is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

All our roles may be subject to pre-employment checks including references so please be prepared.