At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide practical HR advice and support to enhance employee experiences.
- Company: Join Milton Keynes City Council, a diverse and impactful employer.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, excellent pension, and health benefits.
- Other info: Part-time role with flexible working hours and great career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the community while developing your HR skills.
- Qualifications: Degree-level education or HR experience with strong knowledge of employment legislation.
The predicted salary is between 18640 - 20885 € per year.
Location: Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East, Central Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
Salary: £37,280 - £41,771 (exact salary for this role will be £18,640 - £20,885)
Working Hours: 18.50
Closing Date: 07/06/2026
Job Category: HR
Service Area: Finance & Resources - Services - HR
Package Description:
- Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years.
- Holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
- Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme.
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
- Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
- Salary sacrifice car scheme - eligible employees can access low‑cost leasing of electric and low‑emission vehicles.
- Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Job Introduction:
We’re recruiting an HR Advisor to join our dedicated and collaborative Human Resources service on a twelve‑month fixed‑term contract. In this rewarding role, you’ll work closely with colleagues and managers across Milton Keynes City Council, providing clear, practical people advice that supports fair, consistent and well‑informed decision‑making.
This is a part‑time role, working 18.5 hours per week, typically across three to four days. We’re ideally looking for someone who can start in mid August, although a start date up to 7th September may be negotiable.
Site-Based role: This is a Site-Based role, and you’ll be expected to work from the designated workplace. Interviews for this role will be held on 15th June 2026.
Responsibilities:
- Be the first point of contact for people‑related queries, offering straightforward and accurate advice based on policy, good practice and employment legislation.
- Lead on a range of casework including absence, performance, grievance and disciplinary matters, guiding managers through fair and timely processes.
- Build constructive relationships with managers, colleagues and stakeholders across the council.
- Work with service areas to understand their needs and provide coaching, workshops and support to help strengthen people management skills.
- Identify themes and share feedback with the wider Human Resources team to help shape policies, approaches and improvements.
- Support the delivery of council‑wide Human Resources programmes, policies and initiatives.
- Work closely with a Senior HR Business Partner, seeking guidance where needed.
Ideal Candidate:
- A degree‑level education and a recognised Human Resources qualification, or proven experience as a Human Resources generalist with strong knowledge of employee relations, legislation and good practice.
- The ability to communicate complex or sensitive information clearly to a wide range of colleagues.
- Experience of coaching managers and influencing decision making.
- Ideally, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development Level Five or working towards it.
- Strong problem‑solving skills, with the confidence to assess risk and make clear, reasoned recommendations.
- Ideally, experience of working in a unionised environment.
About The Organisation:
Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round‑the‑clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.
We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.
If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.
HR Advisor employer: MILTON KEYNES COUNCIL
Milton Keynes City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment where you can truly make a difference in the community. With generous benefits such as 28 days of annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and opportunities for professional growth, employees are encouraged to thrive both personally and professionally. Located in the heart of Milton Keynes, the council fosters a diverse workforce that reflects the community it serves, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Advisor
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Milton Keynes City Council on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the council's values and recent projects. Show us how your skills align with their mission to improve local lives – it’ll make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common HR scenarios that might come up in the interview. Think about how you’d handle employee relations or performance issues, and be ready to share your thought process.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are keen to join us directly!
We think you need these skills to ace HR Advisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the HR Advisor role. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with the job description, especially your knowledge of employee relations and coaching managers.
Showcase Your Values:At StudySmarter, we value dedication, respect, and collaboration. Make sure to reflect these values in your application. Share examples of how you've demonstrated these qualities in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We want to see your personality shine through, so let your unique voice come across while staying professional.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it makes the process smoother for both you and us!
How to prepare for a job interview at MILTON KEYNES COUNCIL
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on HR legislation and best practices. Familiarise yourself with the specific policies of Milton Keynes City Council, as you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of how these apply in real-world scenarios during the interview.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As an HR Advisor, you'll be the go-to person for people-related queries. Prepare examples of how you've successfully built relationships and influenced decision-making in previous roles. This will show that you can communicate effectively and handle sensitive information with care.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to absence management, grievances, or performance issues. Think through your approach to these scenarios beforehand, so you can provide clear, reasoned recommendations during the interview.
✨Align with Their Values
Milton Keynes City Council values dedication, respect, and collaboration. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and share examples of how you've embodied these principles in your work. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly fits their culture.
