Senior HR Business Partner

London Borough of Lewisham; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 63,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in London is seeking a Senior HR Business Partner to provide strategic guidance to directorates. The role focuses on aligning people and strategy using data-driven insights. Ideal candidates will have chartered membership in HR or equivalent experience. You will lead a dedicated team and handle complex employee relations matters. This position offers generous benefits and a flexible working pattern.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Local Government Pension scheme

Flexible working policies

Season ticket and bicycle loans

Staff discounts including subsidised gym membership

Supportive staff networks

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in strategic HR functions.
• Proven track record in influencing decisions using data insights.
• Experience managing complex employee relations matters.

Responsibilities

• Act as trusted strategic adviser to designated Directorates.
• Champion alignment between people and strategy.
• Lead a dedicated HR team on organizational change.

Skills

Strategic advising

Expertise in employment law

Data analysis

Employee relations

Organisational design

Education

Chartered membership of the Institute of Personnel and Development or equivalent

Job description

Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities!

We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK's first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.

Introduction

As we continue to reshape our future, we're looking for strategic Senior HR Business Partners to join our journey of transformation.

This is an opportunity to build on the strength we've shown through change, and to help shape what comes next. You'll work closely with your designated Directorates, championing the alignment between people and strategy, using data, metrics and evidence to inform and drive decision making and change across the business areas.

What's the role?

Senior HR Business Partners will act as trusted strategic advisers to designated Directorates, offering expert guidance grounded in best practice and employment law. They will work in close partnership with senior leaders to embed a people‑first mindset into evolving business priorities, using data insights and professional judgement to influence decisions and drive impactful change. In leading a dedicated HR team, they will provide thoughtful support on complex employee relations matters and organisational design, ensuring effective and forward‑thinking outcomes across the organisation.

What's in it for you?

Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits include:

• Generous holiday allowance
• Local Government Pension scheme
• Flexible working and family-friendly policies
• Season ticket and bicycle loans
• A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
• Supportive staff networks

Location

The job is primarily based in Laurence House, Catford, London, SE6 4RU, but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office, for a minimum of two days a week, and from home on a regular basis.

Special conditions

• Chartered membership of the Institute of Personnel and Development or demonstrable equivalent experience

The recruitment process is anonymous and we don't accept CV's.

Applicant handbook- please read the guidance in this handbook when applying. It is essential that you complete the application fully and that your supporting statement covers how you meet each of the person specification criteria listed.

For an informal discussion about this job, please contact Bernadette Sumner at [e-mail].

Please click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification.

Salary

£63,816 to £66,084 per annum (PO8). All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.

Closing date

Applications to be submitted by Sunday 30 November 2025, 23:59pm.

Diversity

Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply.

The Council has a dedicated employment support service, Lewisham Works, which offers Lewisham residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you want to join Lewisham Works, please email [e-mail] and an advisor will be in touch with you.

The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.

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