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- Tasks: Provide expert HR support and advice to managers and employees across two councils.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at Guildford and Waverley Borough Councils.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous leave, and a supportive workplace culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on employee wellbeing and workplace culture.
- Qualifications: HR experience with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Join our People & Organisational Development Team supporting Guildford Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council, and help us build an exceptional working environment for over 1,000 employees!
About the Role — People Officer
As a People Officer, you’ll be the go-to HR professional for your designated service areas, delivering expert, hands-on advice and support to managers and employees. You’ll play a vital role in employee relations, sickness management, recruitment, and organisational change — all while championing fair, consistent, and effective HR practices.
Why Join Us?
- Make an Impact: Support meaningful people strategies and help create a thriving workplace culture across two vibrant councils.
- Collaborative Culture: Work alongside passionate colleagues who value wellbeing, innovation, and inclusivity.
- Career Growth: Access continuous learning opportunities and pathways to progress within a dynamic People & OD team.
- Flexible Working: Enjoy a hybrid working model and a supportive approach to work-life balance.
- Local Government Pension Scheme – planning for your future
- Generous leave entitlement and flexible working arrangements
- Employee Assistance Programme for confidential wellbeing support
- Inclusive, supportive workplace culture
- Convenient locations with free onsite parking and excellent transport links
What You’ll Do:
- Deliver clear, practical, and legally sound advice on employee relations — managing cases such as disciplinary, grievance, capability, and absence confidently from start to finish.
- Support managers with sickness absence management and wellbeing initiatives, promoting a culture of early intervention and psychological safety.
- Collaborate with resourcing teams to provide recruitment advice, support inclusive hiring practices, and contribute to workforce planning.
- Assist in organisational change processes — drafting consultation documents, attending meetings, and ensuring smooth transitions.
- Build trusted relationships within your service areas, acting as the first point of contact for HR queries and helping managers and teams perform at their best.
- Contribute to People & OD projects including employee engagement, equality, diversity & inclusion (EDI), and continuous improvement efforts.
- Keep up to date with HR policies and employment law, helping to embed best practice across both councils.
Who You Are:
- A confident HR generalist with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Experienced in handling complex employee relations and organisational change.
- Passionate about delivering consistent, fair, and supportive HR advice.
- Able to build strong partnerships with managers and work collaboratively across teams.
- Committed to fostering diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing in the workplace.
Ready to take your HR career further and help us shape a positive, inclusive future for Guildford and Waverley? Apply now and join a team that values your expertise, energy, and ideas!
Closing date for applications 9:00am on 7th April 2026
Interview Date w/c 13th April 2026
We do not accept CVs without a completed application form. Strictly no agencies please.
In return for your valued contribution, we can offer you a competitive benefits package which includes hybrid working and agile working policies, training and development opportunities, generous annual leave and flexi time, free onsite parking, an employee assistance scheme and membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
The district is home to many different people, and we want our workforce to reflect our diverse local communities. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences - we are a Disability Confident employer and appoint on merit.
We are proud to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and welcome applications from serving or ex-members of the armed forces and their partners. We offer an interview scheme for serving and ex-military forces members when they meet the essential criteria for the role.
Please note we do not accept applications after the stated closing time and right to work in the UK will be checked as part of the interview process.
People Officer in Godalming employer: Waverley Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Waverley Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land People Officer in Godalming
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in HR or related fields. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral, which can give you a leg up in the application process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the councils and their values. Knowing what makes Guildford and Waverley tick will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your answers to common HR interview questions. Think about your experiences with employee relations and organisational change, and be ready to share specific examples that highlight your skills and passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to a thriving workplace culture.
We think you need these skills to ace People Officer in Godalming
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the People Officer role. We want to see how you can make a real difference across both councils!
Showcase Your HR Expertise: Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your HR knowledge, especially in areas like employee relations and organisational change. This will help us see your confidence and capability in action.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application! We value authenticity and want to know what makes you passionate about HR and how you can contribute to our collaborative culture.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Waverley Borough Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on HR policies and employment law relevant to the role. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just knowledgeable but also genuinely interested in the position.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully handled employee relations or organisational change. This will help demonstrate your hands-on experience and how you can apply it to the councils' needs.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with managers and teams, be ready to talk about how you've built strong partnerships in previous positions. Highlight your communication skills and your approach to fostering a collaborative environment.
✨Be Passionate About Inclusion
The councils value diversity and inclusion, so share your thoughts on how you can contribute to these initiatives. Discuss any relevant projects you've been involved in and your commitment to creating a supportive workplace culture.