HR Adviser - Hybrid working, minimum 2 days in the Gateshead Office, Civic Centre
Where your HR expertise makes a real difference.
Who We Are And What We Stand For
Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading - we might just be the perfect match.
We're delighted that you're interested in working with us. You'd be joining us at a very exciting time.
We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward-thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive.
At Gateshead Council you'd be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills that you bring to your role, encourages creativity and passionately advocates a great work / life balance. Our actions speak louder than words, and with flexi-time and hybrid working available across many of our roles, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we're confident that it isn't just the salary that attracts our staff.
Trusted HR advice. Real organisational impact.
People Services plays a vital role in shaping a positive and inclusive employee experience across Gateshead Council. Bringing together HR, Learning and Operational Workforce Development, Recruitment, and Health and Safety, our teams work in close partnership with service leaders, managers, employees and recognised trade unions. We take both a practical and strategic approach to supporting the full employee lifecycle continuously improving how our people are supported, developed and engaged, and helping to create a workplace where everyone can thrive.
Creating workplace clarity, confidence, and compliance.
Are you looking for a role where your HR expertise is valued, your ideas are encouraged, and you can truly make a difference? We have an exciting opportunity for an HR Adviser to join our People Services team at Gateshead Council. In this varied and rewarding role, you'll play a key part in shaping and delivering our workforce strategy and contributing to projects that improve the employee experience. Working across employee relations, wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion, and policy development, you'll be encouraged to bring fresh thinking, creativity and innovation helping us grow as an employer of choice and ensuring our people are supported to thrive.
What You'll Get To Do
Provide support, guidance and advice on the interpretation and implementation of HR policies and procedures to ensure they are applied in an effective, fair and consistent manner.
Under the direction of the HR Manager, lead on the development of policies, toolkits and guidance and contribute to the development of associated learning.
Prepare reports and other documentation for presentation to management, to ensure that workforce related issues are fully and properly considered.
Research best practice and collate and analyse data in order to inform policy development, project delivery and decision-making.
Be familiar with and understand the Workforce Strategy and Plan and other relevant HR related strategies and plans in order to help shape and implement initiatives which arise from them.
Contribute to specific projects and activity to grow our employee benefits offer to improve our employee experience.
Consult with trade unions, employee representatives and other stakeholders as required.
Maintain appropriate systems within the service to ensure records are accurate and up to date.
Support our newly created employee Support Networks by managing engagement initiatives for Equality, Diversity, Inclusion (EDI)I and Wellbeing.
Conduct Integrated Impact Assessments (IIAs) on new policies and procedures.
Prepare, promote and deliver Wellbeing initiatives and workshops to our workforce.
Support the development, planning and implementation of EDI and Wellbeing actions in line with the Workforce EDI and Wellbeing Strategies.
Maintain, update and develop new EDI content for the intranet and Council website to ensure information is up to date and easily accessible.
What You'll Bring
Post Grad Diploma in HRM; or, HR Degree; or, Level 5 HR Apprenticeship; or CIPD Chartered Member status (MCIPD).
Experience of providing HR advice on the full range of workforce issues: capability, absence management, redundancy, discipline & grievance.
Up to date knowledge of current employment law and ability to apply it practically to workplace situations.
Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence, advise, and work collaboratively across the organisation.
An ability to develop constructive relationships with managers and colleagues.
Skills to undertake policy development research and data analysis.
A capability to work on your own initiative and as a member of a team.
Organisational skills to prioritise workload and deliver to tight deadlines.
What's In It For You
Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience.
Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don't just offer a great salary we invest in your future too. Find out what benefits a Local Government Pension provides:
Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
Flexible Working Hours: Benefit from up to 26 flexi days per year (subject to business needs), giving you more control over your time.
Hybrid & Flexible Working: We support a healthy work-life balance with flexible and hybrid working options.
Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing.
Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with our tax-efficient cycle to work programme.
Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Get behind the wheel of a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way to drive (after 12 months service).
Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (after 6 months service).
Our commitment to you
We are an equal opportunities employer and aim to have a culture and a workplace where our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work. We know that we deliver better services when our workforce reflects the full range of backgrounds and experiences in the society we serve. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
How To Apply
You can apply online using the apply now button below. Within the form, you'll be asked for details about you, your career history, skills, experiences and qualifications.
We advise you to be as detailed and specific as possible, paying particular attention to any of the above which are relevant to the role to which you are applying.
If you have any questions about your application, please don't hesitate to reach out to our recruitment team via.. Alternatively, if you'd like a confidential chat about the role, then please contact Caroline Judson - HR Manager tel:, or Steph McGuigan - People Experience Business Partner tel:
Please note: As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. However, in high-volume recruitment situations, it may not always be practicable to interview every eligible candidate. In such cases, we may need to prioritise those who best meet the essential criteria, based on the information provided in the application.
Additionally, the Council reserves the right to close this vacancy early or adjust the shortlisting criteria, including the pass mark for interview selection, to ensure a fair and manageable recruitment process. We encourage early applications.