HR Business Partner

What will you be doing?

 In this role, you’ll:

•    Provide expert, risk aware HR advice and coaching to managers on all aspects of employee management — including conduct, performance, attendance and capability.

•    Support and partner with managers to deliver their workforce plans and achieve their service objectives.

•    Take a leading role in organisational change activity.

•    Build effective relationships with Trade Unions and employee representatives, managing local consultation and negotiations as needed.

•    Coach and develop managers, helping them build confidence and capability through both day to day advice and the delivery of management training.

•    Support continuous improvement across the HR service — contributing to policy development, streamlining processes and working closely with colleagues across HR, OD, Payroll, Learning & Development, Health & Safety and Workforce Strategy.

•    Provide HR advice for hearings, appeals and, where necessary, support preparation for tribunal representation with legal advisors.

Every day will bring something different — and you’ll be at the centre of helping us evolve, improve and deliver a high performing HR service.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, we encourage you to submit your application as early as possible.

About you

 You’re someone who thrives in a collaborative, solution focused environment and enjoys being a trusted partner to managers and senior leaders. You bring:

•    Substantial post qualification experience as an HR professional in a complex organisation, with strong employment relations expertise.

•    Confidence in advising on organisational change

•    Strong communication, influencing, mediation and negotiation skills — able to build positive relationships at every level.

•    The ability to work both independently and as part of a wider HR and OD team.

•    Curiosity, resilience and a commitment to continuous improvement — you enjoy shaping the future of HR services and driving innovation.

•    CIPD Level 7 (or equivalent) and evidence of ongoing professional development.

•    Experience of working in a unionised environment; local government experience would be beneficial but not essential.

If you’re passionate about delivering high quality HR, excited by the opportunity to influence change, and ready to be at the centre of our business partner evolution, we’d love to hear from you.

When applying please ensure your supporting statement details how you fulfil the essential criteria set out in the attached person specification as this will be used to shortlist. You will need to provide a full employment history including any gaps since leaving full time education. 

Our benefits

We are committed to continuous improvement, building a skilled, knowledgeable, and flexible workforce alongside promoting innovation and creativity whilst keeping children, young people and families at the heart of all we do.

We really value our workforce and offer you a great benefits package including:

• 28 days annual leave, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time) and an additional 5 days, after 5 years
• Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health pension protection.
• Opportunity to purchase up to 25 days annual leave
• Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.
• Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.
• Flexible and family working arrangements including enhanced maternity benefits
• A permanent, supportive and inclusive management team where you will be empowered to make good professional decisions
• Extensive Learning & Development and career development opportunities
• Subsidised town centre car parking scheme

About us

At Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, children, young people and families are at the heart of all we do – in every decision we make and every action we take. Our mission is driven by the unwavering commitment to achieving the best outcomes for them.  The Trust is wholly owned and funded but operationally independent from the Councils.

Our workforce are our most valuable asset and are pivotal to making the services and support we offer to children, young people and families who need us to be the absolute best we can be.

We value our colleagues and empower them to be able to do the best job of their lives every single day, working in a culture of support and kindness where achievements are celebrated and creativity is very much welcomed.

At NCT equality, diversity and inclusion are part of us and in everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and thrive in our organisation.  We are a disability confident employer and have a commitment to care leavers who we guarantee an interview if they meet the essential criteria.

Join our dedicated team and be a part of an organisation where your work makes a real difference.