Job Description
3 month contract role with a Local Authority
Job Summary:
• The HR People Business Partner will work closely with services across Wokingham Borough Council to deliver high‑quality people, culture and talent management support.
• Acting as a trusted adviser, the postholder will partner with managers to improve organisational performance, drive cultural development, lead change initiatives and provide expert HR guidance.
• The role covers the full employment lifecycle, including complex ER, change management, HR policy, workforce planning and organisational development.
• Operating within the HR & OD (People & Culture) function, the role requires resilience, strong stakeholder management and the ability to work collaboratively across the organisation.
• It is a hybrid post requiring attendance at Shute End as needed.
Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):
• Partner with managers to shape and deliver people, culture and talent plans aligned to organisational objectives.
• Build trusted relationships across the Council and champion the People Business Partnering model.
• Provide expert HR advice on casework, policies, legislation and best practice, ensuring legal compliance and timely resolution of ER issues.
• Support and lead organisational change programmes, including restructures, redundancies, TUPE and complex ER matters.
• Contribute to People Strategy delivery, policy development, EDI initiatives and service improvements.
• Coach managers to develop leadership capability and support change and transformation activities.
• Work with OD partners to identify and meet learning, development and workforce needs.
• Undertake job evaluation activities and support the creation or review of job descriptions.
• Analyse HR data and management information to identify trends, risks, opportunities and the impact of change.
• Promote positive employee relations and support staff networks and engagement activities.
• Ensure HR policies remain up‑to‑date, legally compliant and effectively communicated across the organisation.
• Maintain strong internal partnerships with Finance, service managers and HR colleagues.
Skills/Experience:
• Strong background in generalist HR with experience managing complex casework.
• In‑depth knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• HR policy development and implementation experience.
• Proven experience supporting organisational change including TUPE, restructures and redundancies.
• Capability to work in a matrix environment with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience delivering projects and supporting organisational initiatives.
• Strong partnership and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to analyse HR data and translate insights into actions.
• Excellent coaching, influencing and negotiation abilities.
• Confident communicator with strong written and verbal skills.
• CIPD membership (desirable).
• Experience in schools/education HR (advantageous).
• UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for travel across the borough.
Additional Information:
• Bi-Weekly Payments.
• Client: Wokingham Borough Council
• Location: Shute End Offices – Hybrid
• Hours: 37 per week.
• UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for travel across the borough.
Requirements
• Strong background in generalist HR with experience managing complex casework. • In‑depth knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice. • HR policy development and implementation experience. • Proven experience supporting organisational change including TUPE, restructures and redundancies. • Capability to work in a matrix environment with multiple stakeholders. • Experience delivering projects and supporting organisational initiatives. • Strong partnership and stakeholder management skills. • Ability to analyse HR data and translate insights into actions. • Excellent coaching, influencing and negotiation abilities. • Confident communicator with strong written and verbal skills. • CIPD membership (desirable). • Experience in schools/education HR (advantageous). • UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for travel across the borough.