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- Tasks: Lead HR strategy and drive cultural change in a dynamic public sector environment.
- Company: Join Thurrock Council, a local authority undergoing exciting transformation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model with competitive salary and impactful community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on organizational effectiveness and community well-being.
- Qualifications: Proven HR leadership experience, preferably in public sector, with strong stakeholder management skills.
- Other info: Applications close on January 5, 2025; interviews scheduled for the week of January 13, 2025.
The predicted salary is between 46200 - 77000 £ per year.
Head of HR and Organisational Development
Thurrock Council
Permanent – Full Time – Hybrid – 2 days onsite
c.£77,000
- Are you a seasoned HR leader with a proven track record bringing the function together across Business Partnering, Employee Relations, Learning and Organisational Development, enabling collaboration and continuous improvement?
- Looking for the opportunity to develop and deliver a new people strategy, working close with the Associate Director for HR and the wider Executive Leadership team, to drive organisational effectiveness and cultural change?
- Do you have experience operating within complex public sector environments, building strong working relationships with senior stakeholders both internally and externally?
If you're looking for an opportunity to make an real impact, both within an organisation and the local community, then this permanent opportunity with Thurrock Council as Head of HR and OD will allow for just that. This Essex based Local Authority are going through an exciting period of change and transformation, and as part of the HR leadership team, reporting to the Assistant Director for HR & OD, and working alongside the Head of Payroll Pensions Data and Transactional Services, this role will play a pivotal part in the design and delivery of the council new Corporate Strategy and People plan to reach these strategic objectives.
With responsibility across HR Business Partnering, Employee Relations, Learning and Organisational Development, this role will require a dynamic, strategic leader, that can drive collaboration and continuous improvement under the backdrop of change. Key responsibilities and priorities in this post will include;
- Overseeing the development and implementation of the People Strategy and Corporate Plan.
- Providing strategic HR leadership, building cohesion and performance within the department.
- Embedding an effective HR Business Partnering model
- Building out the Employee Relations capability to ensure effective case management and positive working relationships with respective Trade Unions.
- Driving a continuous improvement agenda across the function focused on the optimisation of data to inform decision-making and enhance organisational capability.
- Building strong, trust-based relationship with senior stakeholders both internally and externally.
- Enhancing Learning and Organisational Development initiatives to support continuous learning and resilience to change.
- Working closely with the Head of Payroll, Pensions, Data and Transactional Services to identify trends in people data and develop solutions to improve HR/OD services.
- Implement and manage performance management systems, developing and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) for the HR/OD service.
If you're a passionate, resilient HR leader, looking to join an engaged team, whilst being a part of a wider change journey, then this is opportunity with Thurrock Council offers just that. We're looking for experienced HR and OD professional, preferably with experience across the Public Sector, that have an understanding of how to navigate complex, political environments, understands the governance structures and how to operate within varying degrees of ambiguity. The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate proven success evolving HR and OD teams, and experience driving organisation wide cultural and behavioural change.
If this sounds like you, please don't hesitate, apply today via the link or send your up-to-date CV to or
Please note; all candidates will be asked to provide a statement of suitability to support alongside their CV.
Applications close: Sunday 5th January 2025
Interviews: w/c 13th January 2025
Head of HR and Organisational Development employer: Thurrock Council
Contact Detail:
Thurrock Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of HR and Organisational Development
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with Thurrock Council's current Corporate Strategy and People Plan. Understanding their strategic objectives will help you align your experience and ideas with their goals during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Thurrock Council, especially those in HR roles. They can provide insights into the organizational culture and the specific challenges the council is facing, which can be valuable in your conversations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in driving cultural change and continuous improvement. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully implemented HR strategies in complex environments, particularly in the public sector.
✨Tip Number 4
Highlight your ability to build strong relationships with senior stakeholders. Think of instances where you've effectively collaborated with leadership teams or trade unions, as this will demonstrate your capability to navigate the political landscape of a local authority.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of HR and Organisational Development
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take the time to thoroughly read the job description for the Head of HR and Organisational Development position. Understand the key responsibilities and required skills, especially in areas like strategic HR leadership and stakeholder management.
Craft a Tailored CV: Ensure your CV highlights relevant experience in HR leadership, particularly within public sector environments. Emphasize your achievements in driving cultural change and developing people strategies.
Write a Strong Statement of Suitability: Prepare a compelling statement of suitability that directly addresses how your experience aligns with the role's requirements. Use specific examples to demonstrate your success in evolving HR teams and managing complex relationships.
Review and Submit: Before submitting your application, double-check all documents for accuracy and completeness. Make sure your CV and statement of suitability are well-formatted and free of errors. Apply through the provided link on the StudySmarter website.
How to prepare for a job interview at Thurrock Council
✨Showcase Your Strategic Vision
As a candidate for the Head of HR and Organisational Development, it's crucial to articulate your strategic vision for HR. Be prepared to discuss how you would develop and implement a new people strategy that aligns with the council's Corporate Plan.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Engagement Skills
Highlight your experience in building strong relationships with senior stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've successfully navigated complex public sector environments and fostered collaboration among diverse teams.
✨Emphasize Continuous Improvement Initiatives
Discuss your approach to driving continuous improvement within HR functions. Be ready to share specific instances where you've optimized processes or utilized data to enhance decision-making and organizational capability.
✨Prepare for Cultural Change Discussions
Given the emphasis on cultural change in this role, come equipped with examples of how you've led organizational-wide cultural and behavioral changes in previous positions. This will demonstrate your ability to manage change effectively.
