Business Partner - People Services

Job Description

Job Title: Business Partner - People Services
Salary: £53,460 – £61,638 per annum (pro rata if part-time)
Grade: G
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: 37 hours per week

About the role

Thurrock Council is seeking an experienced and strategic Business Partner within People Services to play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering our people agenda during a period of organisational transformation and continuous improvement.

This is a senior business‑partnering role focused on working closely with senior leaders to build organisational capability, support transformational change, and ensure our people strategy enables the delivery of the Council’s priorities. You will provide expert challenge, insight and coaching, using evidence‑based HR solutions to drive improved outcomes.

You will:

• Partner with senior leaders to deliver strategic people and workforce solutions
• Lead on organisational design, development and strategic workforce planning
• Coach and influence leaders to drive culture change and business performance
• Use workforce data and insight to shape medium‑ and long‑term people strategies
• Provide expert HR advice on complex people and change matters
• Lead on senior job design and evaluation

About you

You will have:

• Significant experience in a senior HR business partnering role
• Strong knowledge of organisational design, development and workforce planning
• Proven ability to influence and coach senior leaders
• Experience of leading and supporting change in complex organisations
• The ability to use data and insight to inform strategic decision‑making

Benefits of Working with Us

At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
• Staff discounts and local offers
• A supportive and inclusive working environment

Important Dates

Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 7th May 2026

Closing Date (Internal & External): 17th May 2026

Interview Date: To Be Confirmed

Additional Information

If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact:

Heidi Cole Head of Service– Heidi.Cole@thurrock.gov.uk

To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below:

Download Job Profile (PDF Document)

If the Job Profile and Person Specification list any qualifications as essential, please also upload copies of those relevant qualifications.

About us

Why Thurrock?

Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve.

Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead.

This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.

Our location

Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents.

We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes.

Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.

Staff benefits

We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.

Further information can be found here Employment benefits | Working for the council | Thurrock Council

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification.

We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.

For further information about Thurrock Council please visit our website: Thurrock Council