Senior HR Adviser in Stevenage

Provide a professional and specialist advisory and support service to senior managers and other clients on a full range of human resources and business support matters. Provide specialist HR advice and support that is consistent with Council and external employer\’s policies and procedures, employment law, best professional practice, and which meets statutory requirements and agreed service standards. Provide support across the whole HR Division, on complex and large-scale matters, as necessary in order to meet service demands and priorities, project delivery, policy development and support the provision of training as required.

Responsibilities

• As a senior HR Adviser, provide professional advice, guidance and logical solutions to line‑management and staff on the full range of HR conditions of service and employment‑related issues.
• Manage and monitor a range of casework to include investigatory and sickness absence interviews, disciplinary hearings, grievance hearings and appeals, covering routine and complex high‑risk cases to the Council.
• Prepare for and represent the Division at meetings, negotiations, interviews and hearings.
• Undertake negotiations with trade unions and employee representatives in both formal and informal situations on a range of routine to complex high‑risk issues.
• Provide a broad range of advice and support on organisational change in line with organisational change policy.
• Ensure that employers’ policies are developed and implemented to reflect equal opportunities, legal requirements and best practice.
• Provide senior HR input into the ongoing review, development and implementation of HR policy and strategy and the procedures that support them, ensuring consistency and compliance with employment law.
• Provide HR project lead in project work and specific policy development as directed by the HR Team/Business Manager, covering departmental and wider corporate issues.

Qualifications

• In-depth interpersonal skills – able to consult, influence and contribute to negotiations with a wide range of people at a senior level.
• Ability to demonstrate a creative approach to problem solving, analysis and interpretation of employee‑related matters.
• Apply a broad understanding of HR issues and policy.
• Ability to understand quality issues in detail and anticipate their impact on services.
• Substantial knowledge of employment law and best practice within HR.
• Professionally qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development or equivalent level qualification, or equivalent extensive experience and a demonstrated commitment to continuing professional development.