HR Business Partner in Stafford

About us: We are a city of strengths, with a proud heritage and bright future. Working for Stoke-on-Trent City Council is more than just a job; it’s about making, protecting and improving the services for the local population, reducing inequalities and improving independence for the people who live and work in the city. We are always looking for people of the highest calibre with skills, knowledge and experience to help us deliver our compelling vision. Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s diverse and talented workforce is its greatest asset and most valuable resource. The skills, knowledge and experience of our c.4,600 employees are essential to delivering our ambitions and vision for our organisation and Stoke-on-Trent. We want to be an employer that people are proud to work for, and where our staff are supported, developed and rewarded in an inclusive way that helps them to excel and to deliver the high-quality services that our residents need.

The Role: Are you a proactive, forward-thinking HR professional looking for a change? We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced HR professional to join our HR Business Partnering Team to deliver customer focused, pragmatic HR advice and provide support to managers and employees across Stoke on Trent City Council. This is a true generalist HRBP role, where you will partner with directorate managers and employees to provide an effective HR service, playing a pivotal role in delivering people solutions that are aligned with business objectives.

You will work with teams, managers and key stakeholders to help build organisation and people capability, shape and build people strategies within the organisation, which requires an excellent understanding of the organisation and the challenges faced. Building meaningful relationships with your designated directorates, you will work closely with key teams to implement business strategy from a people perspective, as well as using data, metrics and evidence to inform and drive decision making and change across your areas.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead on the effective management and resolution of employee casework including sickness absence, performance, disciplinary, grievance, redeployment and grievance issues.
• Advising and coaching a range of stakeholders on a wide range of HR matters including performance management, change management and employee relations.
• Drive compliance across the organisation by staying up to date with employment law and ensuring that company policies are applied consistently.
• Work with the Organisational Development and Talent Team to support key HR initiatives and develop solutions to address training and development needs.
• Advise, consult and negotiate on people management matters with Trade Unions, ensuring a productive working relationship.
• Foster a positive and inclusive organisational culture, championing diversity and employee wellbeing.

About You:

• Proven experience as a HR Business Partner, preferably in a large and complex organisation with a track record of building credible relationships with key stakeholders.
• CIPD level 5 qualified.
• Experience of leading on the effective management and resolution of complex employee relations cases such as disciplinary, grievances and performance issues.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practice.
• Experience in leading change management initiatives including restructuring, redundancy and TUPE transfers.
• Exceptional communication and relationship building skills with the ability to influence a wide range of stakeholders effectively.
• Knowledge of school’s terms and conditions would be advantageous.

What we offer:

• A competitive salary based on your skills, experience and talent.
• Hybrid and flexible working options.
• An excellent local authority benefits pension scheme.
• Professional development through learning opportunities, regular training sessions and apprenticeship and management schemes.

If you would like to discuss the role in more detail, please contact Sue Phillips, Senior HR Business Partner at Sue.Phillips@stoke.gov.uk. As part of this role, you will attend meetings at sites across the city and be a hybrid worker.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: At Stoke-on-Trent City Council, we believe our strength comes from the diversity of our community, and we want our workforce to reflect that. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences. We understand that some people, especially those from underrepresented or marginalised backgrounds, may hesitate to apply if they don’t meet all the listed requirements. If this role interests you and you think you could be a good fit, we encourage you to apply. We are proud of what makes each of us unique and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels included, can be themselves, and can succeed together.