People Business Partner

Peterborough City Council; Peterborough; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave 25+ days

Local government pension scheme

Employee Benefits Platform

Cycle to Work scheme

Discounts via Benefits Platform

Volunteer hours

Development opportunities

Paid volunteering

Job summary

Peterborough City Council is seeking a passionate People Business Partner for Children's Services to provide high-quality, pragmatic HR advice across employee relations, organisational change and people initiatives.

You will build relationships with managers, lead ER cases, drive change projects, use data to inform decisions, and promote an inclusive workplace culture.

Qualifications

• Solid HR experience, ideally in a business partnering or advisory role.
• Experience managing a range of ER cases including disciplinaries and grievances.
• Ability to translate policy into practical solutions and drive improvements.

Responsibilities

• Build strong relationships with managers and teams, advising on people matters.
• Lead and support employee relations cases, including complex issues.
• Drive and deliver change projects, restructures, and service improvements.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the Council to deliver solutions.
• Use data and insight to inform decision-making and drive improvements.
• Champion our values and create an inclusive workplace culture.

Skills

HR advisory

Employee relations

Change management

Communication

Education

CIPD (desirable)

Job description

We're looking for a passionate People Business Partner to join our forward-thinking team, with a dedicated focus on Children's Services. This is a busy, varied role where no two days are the same. This is much more than an advisory HR role. You'll work closely with managers, providing pragmatic, high-quality people advice across a broad range of issues including employee relations, organisational change and a wide range of people initiatives.

As a trusted business partner, you will:

• Build strong relationships with managers and teams, acting as a key advisor on all people matters
• Lead and support on employee relations cases, including complex and sensitive issues
• Drive and deliver change projects, restructures, and service improvements
• Collaborate with colleagues across the Council to deliver solutions
• Use data and insight to inform decision-making and drive continuous improvement
• Champion our values and help create an inclusive, positive workplace culture

Our Team

We are a friendly, high-performing HR team who genuinely care about each other and the work we do. We believe in supporting one another, sharing knowledge, and celebrating our successes together. You'll be joining a group of professionals who are passionate about people and always willing to help. We work extremely hard, but we also make time to laugh and connect.

Our team is at the heart of driving positive change and supporting organisational success. We partner with managers to deliver practical solutions that help services run smoothly and achieve their goals.

If you want to be part of a team where your voice is heard, your growth is supported, and your contribution is valued, we'd love to hear from you.

All about You

We're looking for someone who brings:

• Solid HR experience: You have a strong background in HR, ideally in a business partnering or advisory role, with up-to-date knowledge of employment law and HR best practice.
• Employee relations expertise: You are confident managing a range of ER cases, including disciplinaries, grievances, and change management.
• Pragmatic: You can translate HR policy and legislation into practical solutions that work for the service.
• Excellent communication skills: You can build trust, influence, and communicate clearly with people at all levels.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills: You use data and evidence to inform your advice and can think creatively to find solutions.
• Organisation and resilience: You thrive in a busy environment, can manage competing priorities, and stay calm under pressure. You have the resilience and emotional intelligence to deal with sensitive and sometimes challenging people issues.
• Care: You care about the difference that effective people management can make to children, young people and families.
• Understands the bigger picture: Understands the importance of safeguarding, professional standards and accountability when working within a Children's Services environment
• Collaboration and teamwork: You enjoy working with others, sharing knowledge, and supporting colleagues.
• Commitment to inclusion: You value diversity and are dedicated to creating a welcoming, supportive workplace for everyone.
• A passion for learning: You're always looking for opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge.

Previous experience in a business partnering or HR advisory role is essential. CIPD qualification (or working towards) is desirable.

We value our colleagues and have developed a number of benefits in addition to our generous annual leave starting at 25 days + bank holidays and local government pension scheme…

• Access to a range of benefits via our Employee Benefits Platform, including in-store and online discounts as well as our Cycle to Work and Home & Electronics schemes
• Buy up to 10 days additional annual leave (pro-rata)
• Access to car lease scheme
• Take your bank holidays flexibly to better suit your personal circumstances
• Make Additional Voluntary Contributions (Shared Cost AVCs) to your pension with tax and National Insurance savings
• Access to development opportunities including apprenticeships to support your personal and professional growth
• Paid volunteering hours each year so you can make a positive impact on our community during your normal working day
• Access to our equality, diversity and inclusion network
• Opportunities to receive Employee Recognition Awards

All about our Commitments

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to fostering diversity, advancing equity, and building an inclusive workplace for everyone. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and particularly encourage those from underrepresented groups, including disabled people, care leavers, and individuals from minority ethnic communities. Your unique perspectives and experiences are encouraged and valued and will play a vital role in our success.

We are committed to making our recruitment process as accessible as possible. If you are disabled and require any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail] will work with you to meet your needs.

Appointment to this post will be subject to the outcome of an Enhanced Disclosure obtained through the Disclosure and Barring Service. The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you've already applied and completed the recruitment process for this position within the last three months, there's no need to reapply. We really appreciate your interest and thank you for considering us.