Service Leader – People & Culture
Midlothian Council
Dalkeith
£71,476 - £78,219 (Grade 12)
Midlothian Council is seeking to appoint an experienced and dynamic Service Leader – People & Culture to provide strategic leadership for the organisation’s workforce, culture and people services. Reporting to the Chief Officer – Corporate Solutions and working closely with the Chief Executive and Corporate Management Team, this role will be central to shaping an engaged, high-performing organisation capable of delivering the Council’s long‑term ambitions.
Midlothian is one of Scotland’s fastest growing areas. The Council’s Single Midlothian Plan sets out ambitions to reduce inequalities in learning, health, economic circumstances and climate change. Delivering these priorities relies on a capable, engaged workforce supported by strong leadership, modern people practices and a positive organisational culture.
The People & Culture service plays a central enabling role in achieving these ambitions, supporting workforce capability, leadership development and organisational transformation across the Council.
This is a significant leadership opportunity for an experienced HR professional who can operate confidently at corporate level while leading a proactive People & Culture service that drives culture, capability and continuous improvement.
The Role
The Service Leader – People & Culture will lead the Council’s integrated HR function, ensuring delivery of workforce strategies, people policies and organisational development that support corporate priorities and statutory responsibilities.
Acting as the Council’s lead HR professional and a key member of the Corporate Management Team, the postholder will contribute directly to organisation‑wide strategy, decision‑making and cultural development. This is a highly visible leadership role requiring a collaborative and engaging leader who can work across senior leaders, trade unions and external partners to support workforce transformation.
* Providing strategic HR leadership and advice to the Chief Executive and Corporate Management Team
* Leading workforce, people and organisational development strategies aligned to Council priorities
* Driving organisational change, transformation and workforce planning across services
* Leading equalities, wellbeing and employee engagement agendas and embedding a positive culture
* Developing a corporate learning and development strategy to strengthen leadership and capability
* Leading complex employee relations and trade union negotiations
* Ensuring HR policies comply with employment legislation, national agreements and best practice
* Representing the Council in national forums including COSLA and external bodies
* Leading and developing the People & Culture team to deliver high‑quality HR support
The Candidate
Midlothian Council is seeking a credible and experienced HR leader with the capability to operate at the most senior levels of a complex public sector organisation.
You will bring a strong track record in workforce strategy, organisational development and service improvement, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively at senior level. You will be a degree‑qualified, CIPD Chartered professional with significant senior HR leadership experience in a large or complex organisation, ideally within the public sector or a similarly governed environment.
You will have experience operating at corporate leadership level and contributing to organisation‑wide strategy and decision‑making, alongside strong knowledge of employment law, workforce governance and public sector frameworks. You will also bring experience in leading organisational change, managing teams and budgets, and delivering strategic programmes of work. A visible, collaborative and engaging leadership style, with a strong commitment to equality, inclusion and employee wellbeing, is essential.
A postgraduate management qualification or leadership development programme would be advantageous.
Working for Midlothian Council
Midlothian Council offers a supportive and progressive working environment, alongside a strong benefits package including flexible working arrangements, generous annual leave, membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of wellbeing and employee support initiatives.
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