About The Role
Lead employment governance, standards and assurance
Tower Hamlets is recruiting a Head of Employment Policy & Practice to lead the council’s employment framework, including employee relations, policy and trade union engagement.
This is a critical leadership role, ensuring our approach is legally sound, fair, consistent and enabling.
What you’ll do
- Own and lead the council’s employment policy framework
- Set and maintain high standards for employee relations practice
- Lead effective and constructive trade union engagement and negotiation
- Ensure risk is managed through strong governance and clear decision‑making frameworks
- Use insight and data to shift from reactive casework to proactive risk management
- Work closely with other Heads of Service to create a joined‑up people system
What we’re looking for
- Deep expertise in employment law and employee relations
- Experience leading in a complex, unionised environment
- Strong judgement and credibility with senior leaders and Members
- Ability to balance partnership and challenge
Our Benefits
- Competitive salary £84,459 to £92,332
- Local Government Pension Scheme membership.
- Generous annual leave: 29 days, rising to 33 with 5+ years’ service, plus bank holidays and 3 additional days at Christmas.
- Flexible and agile working to support work‑life balance.
- Staff money‑saving schemes (e.g., rent deposit loans, season ticket loans).
- Learning and development opportunities through our Learning Academy, with clear career development and leadership pathways.
