Director of People – AR

Job Details

Job Description

Director of People

Service: Corporate – People
Grade: D
Reports to: Executive Director of Resources (S151 Officer)
Location: Delamere House, Crewe (with travel to Macclesfield Town Hall and other Cheshire East locations)
DBS Check: Basic

Role Purpose

As Director of People, you will be a member of the Resources Directorate Senior Management Team and provide strategic leadership for the Council’s workforce, organisational culture, and customer experience.

You will be responsible for developing and delivering a modern, inclusive, and future-focused people and customer strategy that enables the Council to deliver high-quality services for residents and businesses, supports organisational transformation, and aligns with the Council’s Corporate Plan and Target Operating Model.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

  • Lead the Council’s Workforce Strategy, ensuring effective workforce planning, talent management, skills development, and succession planning.
  • Provide strategic leadership on organisational culture, values, and behaviour, supporting large-scale transformation and continuous improvement.
  • Act as the Council’s senior professional lead for people, organisational development, and customer experience.

People, Culture and Organisational Development

  • Lead all aspects of Human Resources, including:
    • Organisational development and design
    • Workforce planning and resourcing
    • Talent management and leadership development
    • Employee engagement and employee relations
    • HR policy, governance, and compliance
    • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I)
  • Shape and embed a positive, inclusive culture aligned to the Council’s values of Drive, Integrity, Respect and Collaboration.
  • Ensure the Council has a skilled, engaged and empowered workforce able to respond to changing service and workforce demands.

Customer Experience and Customer Services

  • Lead the design, development and implementation of the Council’s strategic approach to customer experience.
  • Direct and oversee Customer Services, including the Contact Centre, ensuring high-quality, fair and accessible services.
  • Work across Directorates and with partners to improve customer journeys and service outcomes for residents and businesses.
  • Ensure digital innovation and customer insight are used effectively to enhance customer engagement and service delivery.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

  • Hold the Council’s statutory responsibility for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in relation to the workforce.
  • Act as a visible advocate and champion for equality and inclusion across the organisation.
  • Ensure ED&I principles are embedded in workforce strategy, HR practices, culture, and service delivery.

Governance, Advice and Assurance

  • Provide expert professional advice and assurance to the Chief Executive, Members, Corporate Leadership Team and senior managers on people, culture, workforce and customer engagement matters.
  • Operate effectively at the political–management interface, demonstrating high levels of political awareness and judgement.
  • Support relevant committees by providing clear, timely and high-quality reports, advice and guidance.

Leadership and Management

  • Provide visible, supportive and empowering leadership to the HR & Organisational Development and Customer Services teams.
  • Manage multidisciplinary services, driving performance, value for money and continuous improvement.
  • Role model effective leadership behaviours and lead change in line with the Council’s transformation agenda.

Corporate Contribution

  • Contribute to the overall leadership of the Council as part of the senior management team.
  • Undertake additional duties as requested by the Chief Executive or Executive Director, commensurate with the role.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience

  • Relevant professional qualification with substantial post-qualification experience at a senior level.
  • CIPD Level 7 qualification or equivalent experience.
  • Significant senior leadership experience leading HR and organisational development functions.
  • Proven experience developing and delivering HR and workforce strategies in a complex organisation.
  • Expert knowledge of customer services performance, best practice, emerging trends and innovation.
  • Strong understanding of the political environment and experience working effectively with elected Members.
  • Knowledge of local government services and their impact on residents and businesses.

Skills and Abilities

  • Proven ability to lead, influence and inspire across large, multidisciplinary teams.
  • Strong understanding of employment law, HR best practice, people and culture, and learning and development.
  • Demonstrable experience leading organisational change and transformation.
  • Experience leading employee engagement, consultation and partnership working.
  • Strong digital awareness and understanding of how digital solutions enhance customer experience.
  • Ability to plan, prioritise and deliver outcomes in a complex, high-pressure environment.

Interpersonal and Leadership Skills

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to build trusted relationships and credibility at all organisational levels.
  • Confident in challenging constructively and leading innovative approaches.
  • Collaborative leadership style that promotes partnership working and shared ownership of outcomes.

Other Requirements

  • Ability to travel across Council locations and attend meetings as required.