HR Business Partner

Overview

Co-ordinate, direct and lead the team in the provision of a comprehensive, value added, high quality expert and professional HR service across all Council directorates on all aspects of human resources. The role will provide expert advice on employment legislation and on Council policies and procedures to minimise risk and reputational damage to the Council. As part of the HR function it provides a comprehensive value added, high quality Human Resource Management Service in partnership with directorate services, ensuring the delivery of a customer focused professional service.

Responsibilities

• Co-ordinate, direct and lead the team in the provision of a comprehensive, value added, high quality expert and professional HR service across all Council directorates on all aspects of human resources. Provide expert advice on employment legislation and Council policies and procedures to minimise risk and reputational damage.
• Work with the Directorate Leadership teams in collaboration with the Strategic HR Business Partner, ensuring the alignment of HR and business strategy at directorate level to support the implementation of directorates business strategies from a people perspective. Support workforce planning across the directorates.
• Lead and direct the team in the provision of a high quality HR advisory service supporting directorates on complex employee relations issues and cases, including organisational change (restructuring and TUPE), and employee relations case work.
• Overall management and responsibility of all day to day operational aspects of all employee relation matters across the Council, working collaboratively across the HR function and wider organisation to ensure a customer focused and professional service.
• As a member of the extended HR Leadership team, contribute to the development of HR strategy and policy, using data, metrics and evidence to inform and drive decision making and change across the Council.
• Direct and manage the team in the provision of high quality expert HR employee relation services, including providing expert advice, guidance and support across the directorates on complex people management issues and cases, including organisational change and employee relations case work, ensuring the delivery of a customer focused and professional service.
• Support the delivery of services priorities in all aspects of people management, developing effective working relationships with managers to achieve that.
• Lead and direct the team in the provision of expert advice and support to managers on complex management of change issues including reorganisation, restructuring, redundancy, redeployment, outsourcing/TUPE, job evaluation and consultation processes. This includes advice on financial and equality implications; job design, establishment control and reconciliation.
• Analyse, monitor and review all HR metrics for the directorate(s), preparing reports and recommendations for DMT and other service management meetings, using external insight and intelligence to inform recommendations.
• Monitor and review the effectiveness of HR policies and protocols across the Directorates, identifying areas for improvement and development and making recommendations for policy development to support the smooth running of the Council. Ensure policies and procedures are legally compliant and aligned with best practice.
• Build and maintain constructive working relationships with trade union representatives and other staff representatives. Undertake consultation and negotiation in Directorate forums as necessary.
• Support and encourage managers to make best use of the Council’s learning and development offer, working with the learning and development team to ensure staff have the knowledge, skills and experience to fulfil individual and organisational needs and ambitions.
• Advise and coach managers to improve people management and performance across the Directorates.
• Oversee the design and delivery of people management training and play an active role in delivery of induction events, engagement activities, and inclusion initiatives.
• Support the development of a working environment where every individual's unique contribution is valued and respected, enabling all employees to thrive and achieve their full potential.
• Work in partnership with colleagues across the council and external partners/suppliers to ensure effective delivery of employee relations services, including collaboration with legal services, finance, audit, H&S and communications, occupational health.
• Undertake research and project work as required, including preparing and presenting reports, and oversee or support project implementation as appropriate.
• Keep abreast of changes in legislation, case law and best practice and reflect these in changes to Council policy and practice.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the post.

All employees are required to:

• To actively promote equality and diversity in the workplace
• Participate in the Performance Evaluation Scheme and undertake appropriate training and development identified to enhance their work
• Carry out the duties of the post with due regard to the Council's Dignity at Work Policy and core values
• Comply with the Council's Health & Safety policies and procedures at all times, taking due care for themselves, colleagues and members of the public
• Assist in carrying out the Council's environmental policy within the day to day activities of the post
• Undertake other duties, commensurate with the grade, as may reasonably be required
• Treat all information acquired through employment, both formally and informally, in strict confidence

Person specification

Commitment to implement the Council's Equal Opportunities Policies

Awareness of equalities issues within an inner London authority and experience of how to integrate diversity and inclusion approaches into people management solutions

Knowledge & Experience

• Successful track record as an HR practitioner in a complex environment/organisation.
• Experience of managing others and setting performance targets.
• Up to date knowledge of corporate and business challenges facing local authorities and public bodies and how to deliver people management solutions that address those
• Sound knowledge of employee engagement, employment law, best practice and employee relations to deliver key outcomes that support the organisation's priorities and objectives.
• Experience of successfully developing and implementing people management solutions to deliver agreed organisational outcomes
• Good track record in leading and delivering people management initiatives and interventions to improve performance management and the employee experience.
• Good understanding and experience of the political interface in a local authority and the role and needs of elected members.
• Experience of successfully managing relationships and stakeholders within a complex organisation.
• Experience of working in a unionised environment
• Strong communication skills able to speak confidently, persuasively and articulately and to write clearly and effectively.
• Highly organised, able to prioritise and handle change, and to lead a team to work calmly and effectively under pressure and to meet deadlines
• Ability to use information technology including MS Office and financial and human resources management systems.
• Good project management and financial management knowledge.
• Astute, with the ability to identify long and short term risks and opportunities, and to think creatively and work collaboratively to develop and deliver practical solutions

Personal Qualities/Behaviours

• Be resident focused. With the ability to listen to learn, think broadly and find solutions, make decisions and take action.
• Be ambitious to improve. A person who takes responsibility, creates and innovates, measures and evaluates.
• Take a one council approach. Inspiring and communicating, trusting and empowering, collaborating.
• A team player with energy and credibility who commands the confidence of Members, senior managers, staff, partners and stakeholders.
• Personal authority and stature to lead by example, achieve successful outcomes and able to act firmly and decisively both corporately and collaboratively.
• A strong commitment to probity, honesty and openness, treating people consistently, fairly and with respect
• Ability to work collegiately in a matrix environment and to provide training, development and coaching to colleagues and direct reports.
• Proactive, positive, customer centric and determined to add value.
• Evidence of commitment to continued professional development.

Qualifications

Chartered membership of the Institute of Personnel and Development or demonstrable equivalent experience.

Circumstances

Able to attend meetings in the evenings; to work outside normal office hours; and to work beyond minimum hours as and when required to achieve deadlines.

Physical

Generally, must meet LB Lewisham requirements for the post.

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