Bury Council is on a bold and ambitious journey. Halfway through our 10-year “Let’s Do It!” strategy, we’re transforming how public services are delivered and how communities engage with them. We’re reshaping our corporate core to increase the pace for delivery of this vision, and now we’re looking for a strategic and operational leader to join us as
Assistant Director of People and Inclusion who will be the most senior HR/People Professional in the council.
The Role
This is a pivotal leadership role reporting to the Executive Director of Strategy & Transformation. You’ll lead a multidisciplinary HR function including HR Operations, Business Partnering, Payroll & Pensions, Health & Safety, Organisational Development, and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion.
You’ll be responsible for:
* Driving workforce transformation and cultural change across the Council.
* Leading the development and delivery of our Inclusion Strategy and internal OD programmes.
* Overseeing complex employee relations and workforce planning in a dynamic, multi-site, unionised environment.
* Supporting the Council’s improvement journey in key services such as Children’s and Housing Services.
* Ensuring statutory compliance and delivering high-quality HR services that enable our strategic ambitions.
This is a hands-on role requiring both strategic vision and operational delivery. You’ll be instrumental in shaping the future of our workforce and embedding inclusive, strengths-based approaches across the organisation driving our People Strategy.
About You
You’re a calm, pragmatic and resilient leader with significant senior HR experience in large, complex organisations ideally within the public sector. You bring:
* Strong track record in workforce transformation, employee relations, and organisational development, with the ability to lead through complexity and change.
* Deep understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion, and proven success embedding inclusive practices across diverse teams.
* Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills at all levels, to work with trade unions, Elected Members and senior leaders on sensitive, high-impact workforce issues.
* The ability to manage competing priorities, lead teams through complex organisational change, and apply sound planning and delivery skills to achieve both immediate impact and sustainable transformation.
* Commitment to continuous professional development - Chartered CIPD membership is preferred.
Why Bury?
We’re proud of our progress on our “Let’s Do It!” strategy and we know there’s more to share and more to do. This role offers the chance to make a real impact on our workforce, our culture, and our communities.
This is a permanent position paying £88,712 £96,251 depending on experience. You’ll be based at our Bury campus with agile working arrangements, and you’ll be part of a passionate team committed to making Bury a place where everyone can thrive.
About Bury
The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Appointment may be subject to a satisfactory disclosure at the appropriate level under the Disclosure and Barring Service.
In line with safer recruitment, please ensure that your application/CV covers your full employment history and there is a reason noted for any gaps in employment. Successful candidates will be asked to provide relevant references for the past ten years and character references will not be accepted.
Please note we are unable to support with sponsorship at this time.
As a Corporate Parent, ensure that the work and services you deliver considers our care experienced young people, promotes their life chances empowers them to influence the policies, services, and decisions that affect them, champions their rights, and ensure they grow up in the best possible way
We are committed to Bury being an equal society that recognises values and embraces all people, regardless of any difference, for the skills, abilities and experiences they bring into the workforce and the wider community. Therefore we guarantee an interview for disabled people, looked after children/ care leavers, armed forces personnel (including reservists and veterans) and carers of adults or disabled children if they meet the essential criteria.
If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the ‘About You’ or ‘Supporting Statement’ section of your application.
How to Apply
Bury Council is working in partnership with Hays Executive HR Practice to recruit for this role. To apply, please visit Welcome | Bury Council | Hays UK to submit a CV and cover letter, or contact Laura Bennallack laura.bennallack@hays.com / 0333 010 5299 for an informal discussion.
Closing date for applications: 29th September 2025 23:59pm
* Technical Interviews: w/c 6th October
* Shortlisting: Thursday 16th October
* Manager/Stakeholder Interviews: w/c 20th October
* Final Interviews: Thursday 23rd October and Friday 24th October