OR25737 – Strategic HR Business Partner

Job Details

Purpose

• Support delivery of the council’s people strategy (At our Best) and the Swindon Plan as a senior member of the HR & OD leadership team.
• Act as both a strategic advisor and Senior Management Team member for a specific service.
• Provide expert HR and OD advice on complex people issues.
• Improve services through effective people strategies and solutions.
• Role model the council’s culture, values, behaviours, and new ways of working.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

Strategic Contribution

• Contribute to strategic management as part of the Senior Management Team.
• Ensure people considerations are embedded in service design and delivery.

Strategic Alignment

• Partner with senior leaders to develop and implement HR strategies.
• Support organisational performance, belonging, and financial sustainability.

Organisational Design & Change

• Lead restructuring, workforce planning, and transformation initiatives.
• Ensure organisational agility and scalability.

Talent & Development

• Support succession planning, leadership development, and recruitment strategies.
• Build a strong internal talent pipeline.

Culture & Engagement

• Champion initiatives such as At our Best.
• Promote inclusion, engagement, and a high-performance culture.

Performance & Capability

• Drive performance management processes.
• Support team capability development.

Data & Digital

• Use HR analytics to inform decisions and identify trends.
• Leverage systems, technology, and AI to improve service delivery.

Employee Relations & Risk Management

• Provide expert advice on complex employee relations issues.
• Ensure compliance with policies and employment law.
• Assess and manage risks, advising on solutions and decisions.

Service Improvement & Transformation

• Commission HR & OD services to deliver innovative solutions.
• Contribute to council-wide transformation programmes.
• Identify and implement improvements to business processes.

Policy & Governance

• Support development and consistent application of HR policies and procedures.

Stakeholder & Union Engagement

• Build and maintain strong trade union relationships.

Talent Development (HR & OD)

• Support succession planning and talent development across HR & OD and the wider council.

Values

The council’s values guide how work is delivered:

• We SEE – People, not problems; stay curious
• We HEAR – Each other and the people we serve
• We CARE – About colleagues, residents, and community
• We ACT – With integrity, accountability, and purpose
• We LEARN – From data, feedback, and experience

The Swindon Commitment

A framework that brings values to life through everyday behaviours, guiding how colleagues work together and serve communities.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Chartered Membership of CIPD (or equivalent) – Essential

Knowledge & Experience

• Extensive HR experience across all relevant areas
• Experience in large, complex, unionised organisations
• Strong employee relations expertise
• Experience working with trade unions
• Leadership and people development skills
• Experience managing change and projects
• Strong research and reporting skills
• Up-to-date knowledge of employment law
• Understanding of local government context and trends
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion
• Strong IT skills (Microsoft Office)
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving ability
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong organisational skills

Aptitudes, Skills & Competencies

• Cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Strong numerical and data analysis skills
• Ability to work at pace and adapt
• Influencing and relationship-building skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Diplomacy and tact