Strategic HR Business Partner (Hybrid Working)

Join Cumberland Council at a pivotal stage in our journey and play a leading role in shaping the future of our workforce, services and communities.

We are looking for an accomplished and forward-thinking Strategic HR Business Partner to join our HR/OD Senior Management Team. This is a high-profile and influential leadership role requiring a highly credible HR professional with significant experience of operating at a strategic level, influencing senior leaders and delivering complex organisational change.

Working closely with Directors, Directorate Leadership Teams and colleagues across HR/OD, you will provide trusted advice, strategic insight and innovative people solutions that support organisational priorities and help deliver lasting benefits for the communities we serve.

About the role

As a key member of the HR/OD Senior Management Team, you will play a central role in shaping and delivering the Council's people agenda, ensuring workforce strategies, organisational development activity and transformation programmes contribute directly to the delivery of corporate and service priorities.

Working collaboratively with senior colleagues across HR/OD, you will help develop integrated and sustainable solutions to workforce and organisational challenges, bringing together expertise from across the service to deliver the greatest impact for our customers, workforce and communities.

You will act as a trusted adviser, strategic partner and change leader, supporting Directors and senior leaders through complex workforce issues, organisational transformation, service redesign and cultural change. Combining strategic thinking with pragmatic delivery, you will influence decision-making, provide professional challenge and help leaders navigate an increasingly complex operating environment.

This role requires an individual with the professional credibility, leadership experience and strategic capability to make an immediate contribution, providing expert support across a broad portfolio of workforce and organisational priorities.

Who we’re looking for

You will be an experienced HR leader with a proven track record of operating successfully at a senior strategic level within a large, complex and politically aware organisation.

You will bring:

• Significant senior-level HR Business Partnering experience, working directly with senior leaders and leadership teams to shape organisational and workforce strategy.
• Demonstrable experience of leading large-scale organisational change, transformation, service redesign and cultural development programmes.
• A strong track record of influencing strategic decision-making and delivering measurable organisational outcomes through people-focused interventions.
• Extensive experience of managing complex employee relations matters and working effectively with Trade Unions in challenging environments.
• Exceptional relationship-building, communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence, support and constructively challenge senior leaders.
• Strong commercial, organisational and political awareness, coupled with sound professional judgement.
• A collaborative leadership style and commitment to working collectively to deliver high-quality, customer-focused services.
• The ability to operate with confidence, resilience and credibility in a fast-paced and evolving environment.

Why join us?

There is a real opportunity to make a difference at Cumberland Council.

As one of the newest councils in the country, we are continuing to shape our organisation, strengthen our culture and deliver ambitious plans for our workforce and communities. This role offers the opportunity to influence strategic priorities, shape organisational culture and play a key role in delivering lasting change across the Council.

You will join a progressive and ambitious HR/OD leadership team that values collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement, where your expertise, insight and leadership will directly influence the future direction of the organisation.

To find out more about the role and the flexibility and benefits of working for Cumberland Council, please click the APPLY button now.