Job Details

Job Description

HR Business Partner (Children’s) – G11

Agency: London Borough of Harrow
Contract: 27 July 2026 – 26 February 2027
Hours: 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Working pattern: 9:00am – 5:00pm, with a 48-minute lunch break

Job Purpose

The HR Business Partner will provide strategic, proactive and outcome-focused Human Resources support across the London Borough of Harrow, with a particular focus on supporting the Children’s Division.

The postholder will work closely with senior managers and key stakeholders to deliver a high-quality HR service, providing expert advice and guidance across complex employee relations matters, organisational change, workforce planning, policy development and wider people-management initiatives.

The role will contribute to the continued transformation and development of the HR service, ensuring that HR provision is aligned with Council priorities and delivers effective, practical and commercially focused solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a strategic HR Business Partner to the Children’s Division, providing expert advice, challenge and support to managers and senior leaders.
• Lead and advise on complex employee relations and HR casework, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, sickness absence, performance and other employment matters.
• Provide professional HR advice and guidance in line with current employment legislation, Council policies, procedures and best practice.
• Support the delivery of organisational change, restructures, workforce transformation and other change-management programmes.
• Develop, review and implement HR policies, procedures and guidance to support effective people management.
• Work proactively with managers to identify workforce issues, risks and opportunities and develop appropriate HR solutions.
• Provide high-quality advice on employment matters while balancing employee needs with organisational priorities.
• Build strong and effective relationships with senior managers, service leaders and other key stakeholders.
• Ensure HR interventions are evidence-based, outcome-focused and aligned with the Council’s strategic objectives.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of employment legislation, case law, HR policy developments and emerging best practice.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement and transformation of the HR service.
• Support workforce planning and wider people-management initiatives within the Children’s Division.
• Produce clear, accurate and timely HR advice, reports and recommendations.
• Lead on specific HR projects and policy initiatives as required.
• Line manage members of the HR team, providing effective leadership, direction, support and performance management.
• Promote consistent, fair and effective HR practices across the organisation.
• Work independently and proactively, using professional judgement to resolve complex HR issues and identify appropriate solutions.

Knowledge and Experience

The successful candidate will have:

• Significant experience working as an HR Business Partner or in a senior HR advisory role.
• Strong experience of providing strategic HR support to senior managers and operational leaders.
• Extensive experience of managing complex employee relations casework.
• Experience supporting organisational change, restructures and change-management programmes.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment legislation and HR best practice.
• Experience of developing and implementing HR policies and procedures.
• Experience of working in a complex public-sector or similarly regulated organisation would be advantageous.
• Experience of working within a Children’s Services environment or supporting a large, complex frontline service would be desirable.
• Experience of line management and developing HR professionals.
• Ability to interpret HR policy and legislation and translate it into practical advice for managers.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and challenge at senior level.
• Strong negotiation, mediation and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information appropriately.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Ability to work autonomously while contributing effectively to a wider HR team.
• Strong written skills, including the ability to produce clear reports, correspondence and professional HR documentation.
• A proactive, customer-focused and solutions-oriented approach.
• Ability to build credibility and effective working relationships across all levels of an organisation.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and fair employment practices.

Key Behaviours

The postholder will be expected to demonstrate:

• Strategic thinking – understanding organisational priorities and translating them into effective people solutions.
• Professional leadership – providing confident, credible and evidence-based HR advice.
• Collaboration – working effectively with colleagues, managers and stakeholders.
• Accountability – taking ownership for delivering high-quality HR outcomes.
• Continuous improvement – identifying opportunities to improve HR processes, policies and service delivery.
• Adaptability – responding effectively to changing organisational requirements and priorities.
• Integrity and confidentiality – maintaining high professional standards when dealing with sensitive employee matters.

Working Arrangements

The role is contracted for 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday:

• Monday: 09:00 – 17:00
• Tuesday: 09:00 – 17:00
• Wednesday: 09:00 – 17:00
• Thursday: 09:00 – 17:00
• Friday: 09:00 – 17:00

Each working day includes a 48-minute unpaid lunch break.

Pay Information

• Pre-Parity Hourly Pay Rate: £24.81
• Post-Parity Hourly Pay Rate: £25.35

Contract Period

Start Date: 27 July 2026
Finish Date: 26 February 2027

Reporting and Management

The postholder will operate as a senior HR professional within the Council’s HR function and will have responsibility for line managing relevant HR team members, providing leadership, guidance and support to ensure effective service delivery.