At a Glance
- Tasks: Support workforce and managers through organisational change while providing expert HR advice.
- Company: Join Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, shaping the future of local government.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and innovative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's work experiences during exciting transformations.
- Qualifications: CIPD Level 5 and substantial HR experience required.
The predicted salary is between 42839 - 42839 £ per year.
Job opportunity: Senior People (HR) Advisor
Grade 10, £40,777 to £42,839 per annum (2026-27 pay award pending)
Hours: 37 hours a week
Contract: Permanent
Location: Castle House, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Be part of shaping the future of local government. This is an exciting time to join Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council. As local government reorganisation (LGR) progresses across Staffordshire, we are preparing for significant organisational change and transformation.
We're looking for an experienced and motivated Senior People Advisor to play a key role in supporting our workforce, managers and leaders through this period of change whilst helping to shape the future of our organisation. This is an excellent opportunity for an HR professional who enjoys working in a busy and varied environment, thrives on building positive relationships and wants to make a genuine difference to employees' experiences at work.
About the role
Reporting to the People Business Manager, you will provide professional, business-focused people advice and support across the full employee lifecycle. You will manage a small team of People Advisors and a People Assistant, ensuring the delivery of a responsive, customer focused and high quality HR service across the council. You will act as a trusted advisor to managers on a wide range of employment matters, including employee relations, attendance management, performance, workforce planning, organisational development and policy implementation. The role will be particularly important as we navigate local government reorganisation. You will support organisational change activity, consultation processes, restructures and TUPE related projects, helping managers and employees through periods of transition with confidence, professionalism and solid employment law advice. Alongside operational HR delivery, you will contribute to our People strategy, supporting initiatives focused on employee engagement, cultural development, compassionate leadership, wellbeing, inclusion and workforce planning.
What we're looking for
- Proactive and experienced HR professional
- CIPD Level 5 qualification as a minimum
- Substantial experience providing professional HR advice across a broad range of employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, attendance management and organisational change
- Experience supporting organisational restructures, workforce transformation programmes and TUPE transfers
- Confident building effective working relationships with Trade Unions and employee representatives
- Credibility and influence to support and challenge managers at all levels of the organisation
- Ability to lead, coach and develop others, supporting a culture of continuous improvement and high performance
- Uses data and insight to drive decision-making, identify opportunities for improvement and deliver practical solutions
- Pragmatic, flexible and adaptable, able to respond positively to changing priorities and emerging challenges
- Demonstrates resilience, sound judgement and a calm approach when dealing with complex or sensitive issues
- Shares our commitment to creating an inclusive, supportive and high-performing workplace culture
This role offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience at the heart of one of the most significant changes facing local government. In return, you'll have the opportunity to:
- Play a key role in supporting local government reorganisation and organisational transformation
- Work on high-profile projects involving organisational change, TUPE and workforce planning
- Develop your leadership and professional expertise within a supportive and forward-thinking People Team
- Build strong partnerships with managers, trade unions and colleagues across the organisation
If you are a people focused HR professional who combines sound employment knowledge with a practical, solutions-focused approach and you're excited by the opportunity to help lead people through a period of change and opportunity, 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
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 (humanresources@newcastle-staffs.gov.uk).
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.
Need help completing the online application form?
Our application form has recently been updated to make it easier to apply, please be aware that you are not able to save your application part way through so please ensure you have all information to hand:
- Make a note of the details of the post you are applying for
- Read through the job description and person specification
- Review our values and behaviours
- Ensure that you have relevant job application information to hand i.e. employment details, qualifications and training, professional memberships (if applicable) and the details of two referees
- If you have a CV you can cut and paste information easily into the form
- The supporting information section of the application is your opportunity to share with us your key achievements and highlight any relevant experience. We’d like you to tell us; who you are, your values and strengths, why you feel you are suitable for the role and finally, your career goals
- We’d suggest typing your supporting information firstly to a Word document and then copy and paste to the supporting information section of the online application. This way you won’t lose valuable information if the page times out
- At the end of the form you can choose to save a copy of your application, we advise doing this
- If you are interested in more than one role, you will need to submit a separate form for each job
Senior People (HR) Advisor employer: Newcastle Under Lyme Borough Council
Newcastle Under Lyme Borough Council is an excellent employer for those looking to make a meaningful impact in their community. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth, the council fosters a supportive work culture that values collaboration and innovation. Join us in enhancing local spaces and building stronger community connections in a vibrant and engaging environment.
Contact Details:
Newcastle Under Lyme Borough Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior People (HR) Advisor
✨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 Newcastle Under Lyme Borough Council!
✨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 Newcastle Under Lyme Borough Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior People (HR) Advisor
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 Newcastle Under Lyme Borough Council. 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 Newcastle Under Lyme Borough Council 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 Newcastle Under Lyme Borough Council. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Newcastle Under Lyme Borough Council'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 Newcastle Under Lyme Borough Council
✨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 Newcastle Under Lyme Borough Council.
✨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 Newcastle Under Lyme Borough Council 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 Newcastle Under Lyme Borough Council and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
