People Business Manager. in Newcastle

This is a unique opportunity to join Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council at one of the most significant periods of change in local government. As local government reorganisation (LGR) progresses across Staffordshire, we are looking for an experienced and forward-thinking People Business Manager to lead our People Team through a period of transformation, ensuring we continue to deliver an outstanding HR service whilst supporting our employees, managers and trade union partners through change.

This role has arisen due to vacancies within the team and presents an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives in a busy environment, enjoys solving complex people challenges and can provide confident leadership during times of uncertainty and transition.

About the role

Reporting to the Service Director for Strategy, People and Performance, you will lead the operational HR service and provide strategic and pragmatic people advice across the organisation. You will play a key role in shaping workforce planning, organisational development, employee relations and policy development while supporting our preparations for and transition through local government reorganisation. Leading a dedicated People Team, you will ensure the delivery of a high-quality, customer-focused HR service, whilst developing the capability, confidence and resilience of your team during a period of significant change.

What we're looking for

• We are seeking an experienced HR professional who holds a CIPD Level 5 qualification as a minimum (Level 7 preferable).
• Has experience of leading HR teams and delivering operational excellence.
• Has significant experience of organisational change programmes, restructures and workforce transformation.
• Has practical experience managing TUPE transfers and complex employee relations matters.
• Is confident working in partnership with trade unions and employee representatives.
• Can balance strategic thinking with a hands-on, pragmatic approach.
• Is flexible, adaptable and resilient, able to respond effectively to changing priorities and emerging challenges.
• Builds strong relationships, influences at all levels and communicates with credibility and empathy.
• Is motivated by the opportunity to help shape the future workforce of a changing local government landscape.

Local government experience and an understanding of NJC terms and conditions would be advantageous.

This is more than a traditional HR management role. You will have the opportunity to:

• Play a central role in one of the most significant organisational changes the Council has experienced.
• Lead and develop a talented People Team.
• Work closely with senior leaders, elected members and trade union colleagues.
• Help create a positive, inclusive and high-performing culture for the future.

If you are an experienced HR leader who combines sound judgement with a practical and adaptable approach and you're excited by the opportunity to lead people through change and transformation, we'd love to hear from you. Join us and help shape the future of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council.

Why work for us?

Newcastle-under-Lyme is a borough with big ambitions. We've already started our transformation, however, we still need to find better ways of doing things because we are determined to do the very best we can for our communities. If our vision is to be the best, then we need the best people working for us. Our people are at the heart of what we do and have the freedom to innovate, grow and develop. We recruit people who share our vision and values; people who have the drive to deliver our ambitious Council plan.

Our historic borough is a place of marked contrasts. We are the home of a world-class University at Keele, a leading light known internationally for its research and sustainability record, which stands side by side with former mining communities including some which register amongst the most deprived areas in the country. Our borough is also a mixture of urban centres, affected by some of the same social issues facing our neighbouring city, Stoke-on-Trent, but also outstanding rural landscapes in our less populated villages. Our plans and priorities aim to address the needs of all our communities.

Our People offer

We reward our people with a competitive range of benefits including:

• Access to the local government pension scheme.
• Minimum 24 days annual leave plus 5 extra days after 5 years' service.
• Flexible working options and family-friendly policies.
• Local and national high street discounts.
• Free car parking.
• Wellbeing support including £12.50 per month Jubilee2 membership.
• Green travel scheme including cycle to work and electric car salary sacrifice.
• Free employee 24-hour employee assistance and counselling services, flu vaccination service and health checks.

Should we receive a large number of applications, then this post could close sooner than the date stated. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted within two weeks of the closing date. Interview date Friday 4 September 2026.

While we value diverse backgrounds and experiences, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship. Applicants must be able to prove they have the Right to Work in the U.K. We are committed to making our recruitment process as accessible as possible for everyone. This includes making adjustments or changes for disabled people, neurodiverse people or people with long-term health conditions. If you would like us to do anything differently during the interview or assessment process please contact our People team.

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council is committed to the employment and career development of disabled people, armed forces and care leavers. As such we offer an interview guarantee scheme where you meet the minimum criteria for the role. By minimum criteria we mean you must provide us with evidence in your application and supporting information which demonstrates that you generally meet the level of skills and experience defined in the person specification and as indicated by the Disability Confident symbol.