People and Culture Officer - Greater Essex Combined County Authority

Essex County Council; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 58,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Essex is seeking a People and Culture Officer to drive HR strategy, ensure compliance with employment legislation, and foster an inclusive high-performing work culture. The successful candidate will need proven expertise in HR and organizational development, particularly in the public sector. The role offers a competitive salary package, with a focus on transformational governance and community empowerment.

Qualifications

• Evidence of continuous professional development in HR and cultural change.
• Ability to navigate complex public sector environments.
• Strong knowledge of public sector HR policies.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of the People & Culture Strategy.
• Oversee HR compliance and governance.
• Build a high-performing People & Culture team.

Skills

Expert knowledge in HR

Strategic HR understanding

Ability to use workforce data

Knowledge of employment law

Job description

People and Culture Officer - Greater Essex Combined County Authority

External Partner

Fixed Term, Full Time (Maximum 12 Months)

Temporary or Fixed Term/Secondment (Salary within advert)

Location: Countywide

Closing Date: 7th December 2025

Salary Information: Temporary £500 per day (umbrella, Inside IR35) or Fixed Term/Secondment £58,332 to £68,626 per annum

Overview

Greater Essex is entering a transformative period through devolution, aimed at simplifying governance, improving service delivery, and empowering communities. Under the proposed changes, powers and funding will be transferred from central government to a new Mayoral Combined County Authority, enabling more local control over key areas such as transport, housing, and economic development.

This role will play a critical part in ensuring the new Greater Essex Combined County Authority, one of the largest County Combined Authority, is set up effectively, with the robust governance, strategies, policies and frameworks required to meet statutory and legal obligations. They will establish strong foundations that enable the organisation to accelerate its strategic priorities at pace. To achieve this, postholders will need to build effective relationships and networks across central and local government, partners, businesses and residents, and bring the business, commercial and political acumen needed to translate strategy into meaningful action.

Purpose of the Role

• Lead the development of Greater Essex Combined County Authority’s People & Culture Strategy, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities.
• Provide expert HR, OD, financial and commercial advice to the Interim Chief Executive, senior leaders and the incoming Mayor.
• Build an inclusive, collaborative, high‑performing culture from the outset.
• Support organisational design, workforce planning and leadership development in a newly forming environment.
• Oversee HR functions and ensure compliance with employment legislation, equality standards and good governance.
• Strengthen partnerships and raise Greater Essex Combined County Authority’s regional and national profile, securing funding, investment and value for money.
• Build partnerships and raise the profile of Greater Essex at a regional and national level, working across the public, private, and not‑for‑profit sectors to drive inward investment, secure funding from government, and ensure value for money in all financial commitments.

Key Responsibilities

People & Culture Strategy

• Develop and implement Greater Essex Combined County Authority’s People & Culture Strategy.
• Translate strategic vision into deliverable people programmes.
• Lead cultural transformation and embed organisational values.

Workforce & Talent Development

• Shape workforce planning, capability development and talent strategies.
• Support organisational design and leadership development, creating a modern, future‑ready workforce.
• Build a high‑performing, psychologically safe, inclusive organisation.

HR Operations & Governance

• Oversee recruitment, employee relations, pay, reward and policy development.
• Ensure compliance with employment law and public sector HR frameworks.
• Establish HR systems, processes and people governance aligned to a combined authority environment.

Engagement & Culture

• Strengthen internal communications and employee engagement.
• Promote Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, wellbeing and inclusive leadership across Greater Essex Combined County Authority.
• Build an environment that attracts and retains diverse talent.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Build and lead a high‑performing People & Culture team.
• Partner with leaders, trade unions, and external stakeholders including central government and regional partners.
• Influence and negotiate across a complex political landscape.

Candidate Profile (Essentials)

• Evidence of continuous professional development and expert knowledge in HR, OD and cultural change.
• Deep understanding of strategic HR, organisational development and people‑centred transformation in complex public sector environments.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, public sector HR policies and workforce governance frameworks.
• Ability to use workforce data, analytics and insight to support decision‑making.

*Please note: All role dimensions (budget, line reports, etc) will be established and subject to change during the set‑up stage of the interim Combined County Authority

This role is being recruited on behalf of Southend‑on‑Sea City Council, Thurrock Council and Essex County Council. This appointment is being managed by Essex Shared Services. Should you have any enquiries or would like to request a confidential discussion please contact Samantha Myddelton on [e-mail] 0333 013 0098 or Sadie Orwell at [e-mail] 0333 032 2356.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process, please get in touch with Essex Shared Services at [e-mail].

As part of the application process, you will be required to submit a CV and supporting statement. Click ‘APPLY’ to begin your application.

Closing date for applications: 3rd December 2025 at 23:59pm