Head of Human Resources

We are absolutely thrilled to be working exclusively with Thurrock Council to find their new permanent Head of HR & OD. Are you a seasoned HR leader with a proven track record of uniting HR functions into a cohesive and collaborative force for change and improvement? Do you thrive on developing and delivering forward-thinking people strategies in partnership with senior leadership to drive cultural transformation and organisational effectiveness? Are you experienced in navigating the complexities of public sector environments, building strong, influential relationships with senior stakeholders?

If so, this permanent opportunity with Thurrock Council—an ambitious organisation in the midst of exciting transformation—offers the platform to lead, influence, and make a tangible impact across the organisation and wider community. As Head of HR and Organisational Development, you’ll join a skilled, passionate and friendly team, reporting directly to the Assistant Director for People Services, and working closely with the Head of Payroll, Pensions, Data and Transactional Services.

You’ll help shape and deliver a new Corporate Plan and People Strategy that support the Council’s vision for growth and resilience, and you’ll play an important role in the preparations for Local Government Reorganisation. This role spans a number of HR specialisms, including Business Partnering, Employee Relations, Learning, Policy Development and OD, and plays a key role in embedding a collaborative, data-informed and continuously evolving HR service. You’ll lead with clarity, empathy and purpose, all the while contributing to a culture of innovation and shared success.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the development and implementation of the People Strategy in alignment with the Corporate Plan.
• Providing strategic HR leadership across the function, driving performance and collaboration.
• Facilitating a modern HR Business Partnering model to meet organisational needs.
• Strengthening Employee Relations and fostering constructive partnerships with Trades Unions.
• Using people data and insight to drive continuous improvement and organisational learning.
• Enhancing Learning and OD programmes to build capability and resilience across the workforce.
• Working cross-functionally to maximise service delivery.
• Defining and delivering HR performance metrics aligned with strategic objectives.

We’re looking for a forward-thinking HR professional who is delivery driven with excellent management and interpersonal skills, together with a strong track record of enabling high-performing teams. If you have a public sector background, thrive in fast-evolving settings and can navigate complexity and ambiguity with confidence, we’d love to hear from you. You will be joining a positive working environment with strong supportive leadership, giving you the autonomy to make your mark in this fantastic role. The role is permanent and offers hybrid working with 2-3 days a week on-site in Thurrock.