People Consultant

The starting salary for this role is £36,282 based on working 36-hours per week.

This role is open to agile working meaning you aren’t required in the office 5 days a week. Fundamentally this is about working practice and goes beyond the location in which we work – having the freedom and flexibility to work when and where as needed. Our focus on results, outcomes and collaboration is enabled by high levels of trust and accountability in our people. Supporting our people to work where they are most effective, this can be remotely from a variety of locations including SCC offices, home or any other suitable location. We have a team base to enable you and your colleagues to come together as and when required.

We pleased to announce we have an opportunity for a HR People Consultant on an initial 9-month fixed term basis within the People Consultancy team. Reporting to the People Consultant Lead, you will be joining a friendly and supportive team of ten People Consultants who sit within the Business Partnering and Employment Practice function.

Working alongside managers and stakeholders across the council, you will be equipped with a “can do” attitude reflecting a commitment to continuous improvement and be an active driver for change. 

As a People Consultant you will be responsible for providing managers across the council with HR advice on the breadth of people matters, Employment Tribunal cases and operational project work using coaching, restorative approaches, and technical advice. Our team also work and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders and business partners on a day-to-day basis.

You will confidently manage complex employee relation case work spanning the full range of HR&OD issues across all areas of the business in addition to providing HR support to restructures and TUPE projects. Outcome focused, you will ensure that cases allocated are resolved in a timely manner and in line with legislation/policies and best practice. A strong ability to coach managers through HR&OD issues as well as coaching and mentoring team colleagues. 

Although this role involves working as part of a well-supported team you will be given the tools to work independently and flexibly as the business needs to allow you to deliver work to a high standard.

The range of knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to be successful in this role are:

• A thorough knowledge and application of employee relations policies and practices in relation to supporting a range of casework and HR projects with an outcome focused mindset
• Supporting a variety of change programmes from inception to completion, overcoming challenges to achieve the objective
• Excellent communication skills and ability to quickly build rapport and effect successful relationships with stakeholders and business partners (internal and external) to achieve organisational and team objectives
• Coaching and mentoring skills in developing and supporting colleagues
• The ability to work autonomously with initiative, to engage, develop and consult on plans or projects as appropriate.

To be considered for interview, you will need to respond to the questions in the application demonstrating how your experience, knowledge, skills, and behaviours align to the role.

At Surrey, our values and behaviours are just as important as our skills and abilities. They shape who we are as an organisation. Find out more about the values we follow.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 19 February 2023.

Interviews will take place week commencing 27 February 2023.

Contact Details

For an informal discussion please contact Geraldine Judge by e-mail at geraldine.judge@surreycc.gov.uk.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Benefits

From flexible working to job sharing (where possible) we are committed to providing a healthy work life balance. A laptop and mobile will be supplied if applicable to your role. You will benefit from 26 days annual leave, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service, a generous local government salary related pension, as well as the option to join our car lease scheme. For more information about the wide variety of benefits you can take advantage of please visit MyBenefits for Surrey County Council staff.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer of first choice reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all under represented groups.