Strategic Workforce Partner in Truro
About the role
This is an opportunity to join a large, complex public sector organisation in Cornwall with a strong commitment to its people. The organisation is value-led, ambitious and focused on continuous improvement, innovation and creating positive outcomes for those it serves. This post sits in the People & Organisational Development function, which is at the heart of shaping organisational success, ensuring the workforce is equipped, engaged and supported to deliver strategic priorities. This role offers the chance to influence decision-making at the highest levels while contributing to a culture that values collaboration, inclusion, wellbeing and leadership excellence.
This Strategic Workforce Partner is a pivotal position. In this post, you'll be responsible for the delivery of excellence in people matters across the organisation. You will be a senior HR and OD trusted advisor, working strategically with leadership teams to ensure workforce plans and people strategies align with organisational objectives.
- Workforce Planning: Forecasting future workforce needs, addressing skills gaps, and aligning staffing with service priorities. Ensuring workforce priorities (e.g., resourcing, engagement, development) are integrated into the strategic objectives.
- Organisational Development: Designing structures, roles, and processes to improve efficiency and service delivery.
- Talent Management: Developing succession plans, leadership pipelines, and staff development programmes.
- Employee Engagement & Well-being: Implementing initiatives to improve staff experience, mental health support, and inclusion.
- Change Management: Leading organisational change projects and supporting managers through transformation.
- Policy & Compliance: Advising on employment law, handling complex employee relations cases, and ensuring best practice.
- Data Analysis: Using workforce metrics (e.g., turnover, absence rates) to inform decisions and improvement plans, evidence based.
Develops and maintains effective working relationships with other managers across the function and across the organisation, working collaboratively to provide the people of the organisation with support, guidance and development.
What You'll Need to Succeed: Proven track record working with senior leadership - setting the long and short-term objectives, creating strategies and overall goals for your service managers to clearly define and deliver. Strong HR & OD knowledge and experience - ideally, you are CIPD qualified. Ideally, you have gained experience in a more senior role within a large, complex organisation. Expertise in workforce planning, organisational development, change management, embedding required culture and behaviours as well as employee relations. Proven experience influencing senior stakeholders and leading strategic projects with strong analytical, coaching and leadership capabilities. Experience ensuring proper financial and governance controls are adhered to and using such controls. Experience leading complex projects which will require co-ordination with other departments and senior managers.
What You'll Receive in Return: This role offers a unique opportunity to shape workforce and organisational strategy at a senior level. In addition, an impactful career opportunity, my client offers a competitive salary up to £77k pa plus a full range of benefits including all the below - making it an employer of choice!
- Pay, Pension & Financial Benefits: Competitive salary and generous public sector pension scheme - highly regarded pension. Paid sick leave increasing with length of service and potential relocation packages for some roles. Salary sacrifice schemes (e.g. cars, bikes) and staff discounts (retail, travel, etc.).
- Leave & Work-Life Balance: Generous annual leave and ability to buy or sell extra annual leave. Flexible working options (part-time, remote, flexible shifts depending on role). Structured policies supporting work-life balance. Family & Lifestyle Benefits - Maternity, paternity, and adoption leave/pay, special leave policies and family-friendly working arrangements. Plus, the opportunity to live and work in Cornwall's high-quality lifestyle environment (coastline, outdoor activities, strong community feel).
- Training, Development & Career Progression: Strong training and development opportunities. Extensive opportunities for continuous professional development (CPD) and study leave policies. Opportunities for career progression and skills development.
- Wellbeing & Support: Access to health and wellbeing initiatives and employee support programmes. Access to occupational health services and counselling. Supportive peer environment.
- Everyday Practical Benefits: Cycle-to-work scheme. Travel expense support. Staff accommodation options (where available). Staff extras such as lotteries or local perks.
- Work Environment & Culture: Work within a large, established organisation with a strong sense of purpose. Opportunities to engage in research and innovation. Flexible working and supportive policies. A collaborative, inclusive and values-driven culture where people can thrive and make a genuine impact.
If you're interested in this role, and have the relevant experience, I'd love to hear from you. Please click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Your tasks
Shape workforce strategy and influence decision-making at the highest levels.
Your profile
Strong HR & OD experience, ideally CIPD qualified, with proven leadership skills.
What's also included
Competitive salary up to £77k, generous pension, flexible working, and extensive training opportunities.
Tech stack & ways of working
Strategic Workforce Partner in Truro employer: Hays HR
Join a premium retail organisation that values innovation and growth, offering a dynamic work environment where your contributions directly shape the future of talent acquisition. With generous pay and benefits, alongside long-term development opportunities, this role is perfect for those eager to build impactful recruitment strategies in a luxury retail setting. Experience a culture that prioritises professional excellence and inclusivity, ensuring every candidate interaction reflects the high standards of the brand.
Your perspectives
Make a real impact on organisational success while enjoying a supportive and inclusive culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice
Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Hays HR!
Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Hays HR.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills
When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Hays HR. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter
Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Hays HR and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications
If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Hays HR. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture
Make sure your application speaks to Hays HR's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays HR
Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Hays HR.
Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Hays HR will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Hays HR and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
Locations
- Truro
