HR People Consultant

Job Introduction

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

Surrey County Council is hiring for two fantastic roles within our People Consultancy team, a HR People Consultants and a HR 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.

Why Now? Why These Roles?

We’re expanding our People Consultancy team in preparation for the upcoming Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). These roles are being advertised now to ensure we have the right capacity and expertise in place to support this significant transition effectively. The LGR presents a rare and exciting opportunity for HR professionals to be at the heart of a once-in-a-generation transformation.

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

The People Consultancy team are a dedicated group of professionals who are genuinely passionate about making a positive impact in the workplace. 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.

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 will find a team that values collaboration, trust, and excellence, and is always ready to lend a helping hand. 

About the Roles

As a HR 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 HR 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.

As part of the People Consultancy team, you will play a pivotal role in supporting the TUPE transfer of staff into new unitary authorities. This is large-scale, complex work that will give you exposure to challenges and experiences few other roles can offer. You will develop specialist skills in organisational change, employee relations, and workforce transition. Skills that will set you apart in the HR field and position you as a subject matter expert in a highly sought-after area.

Application Questions

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?

What we're looking for: We are interested in hearing about your hands-on experience with complex employee relations matters. This could include disciplinary actions, grievance procedures, or cases involving third-party stakeholders such as trade unions or legal advisors. Please highlight your role in the process, the steps you took to resolve the issue, and the outcome. We’re particularly keen to understand your ability to navigate sensitive situations, apply HR policies effectively, and maintain fairness and compliance throughout.

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

What we're looking for: We are looking for insight into your direct involvement in organisational change initiatives, such as restructures, TUPE transfers, or broader change management programmes. Please describe your role in planning and delivering the process, including how you assessed risks, ensured legal compliance (e.g., consultation requirements), and supported both leaders and employees through the transition. We’re particularly interested in how you applied your HR expertise to manage the human impact of change and contributed to a successful outcome.

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

What we are looking for: We are interested in your ability to identify opportunities for improvement and contribute to meaningful change within HR. You might want to reflect on how the need for change was recognised, what your role was, how you engaged others, and what the outcome was. This could include anything from large-scale transformation to smaller process enhancements. We're keen to understand why the change mattered and how it made a difference.

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 18th July 2025, with interviews scheduled for the week commencing 28 July.

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

Local Government Reorganisation

Surrey County Council is preparing for Local Government Reorganisation which will allow us to implement the Government led policy of devolution, which is all about giving more powers to local areas. 

Currently, Surrey has a two-tier council system, with 11 district and borough councils and a county council, all responsible for different services. All these councils will be reorganised into a smaller number of new unitary councils which will come into effect in April 2027. At this point, this role will be transferred, with all existing terms and conditions intact into one of the new unitary councils. 

Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council.

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.