HR Business Partner

London Borough of Hillingdon; Uxbridge; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Uxbridge seeks an experienced HR Business Partner to lead the HR strategy and manage a team of HR advisors. The role emphasizes change management and strategic HR initiatives to align with business goals. Ideal candidates will have a mix of private and public sector experience, strong analytical skills, and understanding of UK employment legislation. The position offers a competitive salary and hybrid working options.

Benefits

Flexible Working Hours

36 Hour Work Week

Generous Holiday Entitlement

Access to Local Government Pension Scheme

Mental Health Support and Counselling Services

Qualifications

• Blend of private and public sector experience preferred.
• Experience of managing change is essential.
• Experience in a unionized environment helpful.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of HR Strategy for service area.
• Deliver key HR initiatives aligned with business objectives.
• Manage team of HR Advisors to ensure high-quality service.

Skills

Commercial focus

Analytical skills

Relationship management

Change management

Education

Experience within a local authority

Understanding of UK employment legislation

Job description

About Us

Hillingdon Council: Putting our Residents First.

Hillingdon is London's second largest borough. Our staff live across Hillingdon and beyond, with our main council offices at the Civic Centre in the heart of vibrant Uxbridge town centre. Our borough offers fantastic transport links with the A40, M25, the Metropolitan, Elizabeth and Piccadilly lines all local to us, so you can travel to work with ease, with free parking within our own car park. We also offer a hybrid working arrangements, with time balanced between the office and home.

Putting our residents first is at the heart of everything we do, and we are embarking on an ambitious plan to modernise our offering, while sustaining the high quality services and facilities they expect

As part of our ambitious transformation programme, we are looking to appoint a highly skilled HR Business Partner. The roles report into the Head of HR and will lead a small team of HR Advisors.

About The Role

To lead on the implementation of the HR Strategy for the defined service area, ensuring that any changes are made in line with the specific requirements of the service area. To lead a team of HR Advisors ensuring that a full HR advisory service is provided and to manage the delivery of the specialist functional areas of HR into the service areas.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• Ensure the HR Strategy is understood, with any changes reflecting the needs of the business
• Identify people priorities from service area plans, translating business requirements into effective HR practices and delivering people solutions aligned to business objectives
• Delivering key HR initiatives across the HR spectrum, including:workforce planning, restructuring, resourcing, talent management, pay and reward, employee relations, employee engagement and performance management
• Lead and develop the HR Advisors ensuring they reach their full potential
• Ensure that the specialist HR functions are delivering on the defined service level agreements (SLA’s) escalating any variances as appropriate and giving recognition for quality delivery
• Deliver best practice across aspects of HR within the team and into the service area, with constructive challenge where required
• Provide regular reporting and analysis of trends against the HR Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s), taking proactive steps to address any variances
• Introduce and drive change management initiatives
• Ensure all recruitment and resourcing service for the service area is well planned and executed, with an excellent candidate experience that attracts the highest level of talent
• Oversee investigations and complex employee relations for the service area including redundancy, discipline, absence, and grievances
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with the recognised Trade Union to maintain a positive working environment
• Ensure all outcomes and advice in line with equality and diversity and support the achievement of Council equality standards.
• Supporting line managers with identifying training and development needs for their people and helping them to create plans to address the gaps.
• Lead the service area to create their talent and succession plans
• Provide effective coaching for line managers within the service area

About You

Our ideal candidates will come from a range of backgrounds, ideally with a blend of private and public sector experience. Those who have supported service areas within a local authority setting would be especially welcome. You will be a commercially focused HR Business Partner, who has experience of a similar role and can demonstrate adding value through the HR initiatives that you have implemented. Experience of managing change will be essential, with strong analytical skills, the ability to develop excellent relationships with key stakeholders also key attributes. Experience of working within a Unionised environment would be helpful along with a strong understanding of UK employment legislation.

What we offer

A competitive starting salary.

Here’s a comprehensive overview of the fantastic benefits we provide:

• Flexible Working Hours – We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
• 36 Hour Week – Enjoy a standard 36-hour workweek for all full time staff.
• Generous Holiday Entitlement – increasing with length of service (for non-casual roles).
• Hillingdon Sports & Leisure – Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes – option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
• Cycle to Work – Eco-friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
• Local Government Pension Scheme – access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
• Vivup Benefits – Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Vivup Benefits.
• Mental Health Support and Counselling Services – Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues. Access free 24-hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
• Travel Support – Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly.

The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.

Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation's success.

Recruitment Information

Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme. We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration under this scheme, on a ‘per application’ basis.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject to the following pre-employment screening:

• Enhanced DBS Check
• 5 years of Referencing

Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Hillingdon Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.

It may be necessary due to a high volume of applications to close this role early. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.