Senior Advisor - Casework - CMB2691e

The Cumbria County Council; Carlisle; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cumbria County Council is seeking an experienced HR Advisor to join the HR Advisory team in Carlisle/Workington. You will provide expert advice on employee relations, ensure compliance with employment legislation and council policies, and support managers across a range of cases to deliver a high-quality service.

This fixed-term, full-time role leads casework, coaches managers on HR policy, and collaborates with Legal Services and Organisational Development to drive improvements.

Qualifications

• High level HR advisory knowledge and experience.

Responsibilities

• Guide and develop line managers in handling complex HR cases.
• Be the main contact for disciplinary actions, grievances, performance, sickness, and settlements.
• Provide excellent customer service to managers and employees.
• Coach and train managers on HR policies and case work.
• Lead integrated approaches to casework, track performance, and implement improvements.
• Help shape and maintain HR policies and manage the people management portal system for HR Case Management.
• Support broader workforce initiatives aligned with the Council’s strategic goals.

Job description

Job reference REQ00000020428 Date posted 30/09/2026 Application closing date 12/10/2026 Location CARLISLE & WORKINGTON Salary £46,579 to £47,664 per annum Package Blank Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time Attachments Blank

About this opportunity

This is a key role within our HR Advisory team, delivering a proactive, customer-focused and high-quality HR service across Cumberland Council. You will provide expert advice and guidance to managers and employees on a broad range of employee relations matters, ensuring compliance with employment legislation, Council policies and best practice.

As a trusted HR professional, you will support managers to navigate complex people issues, helping them make informed decisions whilst identifying, assessing and managing employment, operational and reputational risks.

Working collaboratively with colleagues across HR and wider corporate services, including Legal Services, Organisational Development and HR Business Partners, you will help deliver a consistent and joined-up people service. You will also build and maintain constructive and effective relationships with Trade Union representatives.

The role also includes providing day-to-day direction to HR Advisors within a matrix management arrangement, supporting the allocation and oversight of caseloads, ensuring quality, consistency and timely resolution of casework.

Key Responsibilities

• Guide and develop line managers in handling complex HR cases.


• Be the main contact for issues like disciplinary actions, grievances, performance, sickness, and settlements.


• To work as part of the HR Advisory team to provide excellent customer service to managers and employees.


• To coach and train managers on HR policies and case work


• Lead integrated approaches to casework, track performance, and implement improvements.


• Help shape and maintain HR policies and manage the people management portal system for HR Case Management.


• Support broader workforce initiatives aligned with the Council’s strategic goals.

This role is available on a fixed-term basis.

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for individuals who embody our organisation's core values: ambitious, collaborative, compassionate, empowering, and innovative. We believe in the power of these values to drive positive change, deliver excellent public services and shape a better future for our communities.

We’re also about potential over perfection and we can help you grow in the role and thrive in your career.

Be sure to take a look at the post specification (below) for the essential criteria for this role.

Contact

For more information about the role or to arrange an informal chat prior to your application, please contact Jo Richardson by email at [e-mail]

Diversity, Inclusion & Adjustments

We’re dedicated to enhancing the diversity of our workforce and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. That’s why we’re a proud Disability Confident Leader and also an Age Friendly Employer – to provide opportunities for everyone to thrive.

If you need any reasonable adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please let either the hiring manager or our Resourcing Team know by emailing [e-mail] . While adjustments aren’t always guaranteed, we’ll always listen and we’ll try our best to accommodate your needs.