People Consultant

Job Introduction

The starting salary for a People Consultant (permanent position) is £40,296 per annum, and for a Senior People Consultant (12-month fixed-term contract), it is £45,680 per annum, both based on a 36-hour working week.

Are you ready to take the next step in your HR career? Surrey County Council is hiring for two fantastic roles within our People Consultancy team, a People Consultant and a Senior People Consultant. If you thrive on managing employee relations casework, working collaboratively with managers, and making a real impact, we want to hear from you! 

The team is based in Reigate and this role is open to hybrid working meaning you aren’t required in the office 5 days a week working to a 2 day a week average. Fundamentally this is about working practice and goes beyond the location in which we work – having the freedom and flexibility to work when and where as needed. Our focus on results, outcomes and collaboration is enabled by high levels of trust and accountability in our people.

Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days’ holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years’ service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer’s leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependants leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About the Team

Our People Consultancy team is a dedicated group of professionals who are genuinely passionate about making a positive impact in the workplace. We thrive on collaboration and believe that the best solutions come from working together. Each team member brings their unique skills and perspectives, creating a rich tapestry of expertise in human resources and employee relations. We are committed to fostering a culture of trust and mutual respect, where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their best. 

We pride ourselves on providing tailored support and guidance to managers and employees alike. Whether it's navigating complex HR policies, managing employee relations processes, or facilitating change management initiatives, we're here to help every step of the way. Our approach is interactive and inventive, ensuring that we not only address immediate challenges but also equip our clients with the tools and knowledge they need for long-term success. 

We are a personable, friendly, and enthusiastic team that genuinely cares about the well-being and development of the people we work with. Our mission is to create a thriving workplace culture where everyone can achieve their full potential and contribute to the organisation's success. Join us, and you'll find a team that values collaboration, trust, and excellence, and is always ready to lend a helping hand. 

About the Roles

As a Senior People Consultant, you will bring your expertise in handling complex employee relations casework, collective disputes, TUPE processes, employment tribunal work, and change management. You will also play a key role in coaching and mentoring our People Consultants, ensuring high standards of casework delivery.

We are looking for someone with strong technical HR knowledge, including the practical application of employment law and HR policies. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to strategic projects and work closely with Trade Union colleagues to drive improvements.

As a People Consultant, you will be a trusted HR adviser to managers across the council, supporting them on a range of employee relations matters, including disciplinaries, grievances, managing absence, and performance. You will also gain exposure to restructures and TUPE cases while working as part of a collaborative and supportive team.

This role is perfect for a HR professional looking to broaden their casework experience in a dynamic and varied environment. You will benefit from a dedicated mentor, ongoing learning opportunities, and the chance to be involved in impactful HR projects.

Both roles require HR professionals with experience managing employee relations casework and providing expert advice. If you are passionate about HR, enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, and want to make a difference, we encourage you to apply.

Shortlisting Criteria

If this sounds like the team and role for you (and both are equally important) we would love to see your CV and hear your responses to the shortlisting questions below:

1. Can you describe a challenging employee relations case you have managed, and how you approached it?

Senior candidates can discuss more complex or high-impact cases, while junior candidates can focus on less complex scenarios they’ve worked on. 

2. Give an example of a time you were involved in a restructuring or change process. How did you contribute to its success?

Senior candidates can elaborate on leading or managing the process, while junior candidates can discuss supporting roles or involvement in smaller aspects. 

3. Tell us about a project or initiative where you helped improve HR processes or implemented a positive change.

Senior candidates may talk about leading or driving large-scale change, while junior candidates can focus on supporting or contributing to smaller, more tactical improvements. 

Your responses will be used for shortlisting, so make them count! If shortlisted, we will send interview questions in advance to help you prepare.

Contact Us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the roles. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

If you would like to know more about this role or have an informal discussion, please contact Geraldine Judge by email at Geraldine.judge@surreycc.gov.uk.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 4th May 2025 with interviews to follow.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit. 

Our Values

Our values are as important as our abilities and shape who we are as an organisation. Discover more about our values.

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description. Our Life at Surrey handbook provides insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where: 

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application 
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form 

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.