HR Service and System Improvement Adviser

This role offers a fantastic opportunity to support our People Services Team to implement and update new and existing HR systems and processes. You’ll be joining us at a pivotal time as we commence the build and implementation of our new Oracle ERP system.

This a fixed term contract for 8 months to provide additional resource to the team during the implementation phase of our new system. With your HR and systems experience, you'll be supporting our employees and managers to use our current payroll system functionality and investigating payroll/HR related queries; as well as supporting on the development of our new system configuration and process design. It will involve lots of data validation, so be prepared for lots of analysis and spreadsheets!

This role is based in Stafford and operates within a hybrid working model. A minimum of two office-based days per week is required, however there may be the requirement for additional office days during peak times.

As a Service and System Improvement Adviser, you will:

• Support digital transformation – Contribute to the implementation of payroll/ERP system changes including HR process mapping, system knowledge, testing, communications, developing user guides and undertaking training.
• Data Analysis – extract and manipulate data within excel for data validations within our current payroll system to ensure it is accurate and ready for transferring into our new ERP system. Analyse and present your data/findings to various stakeholders to identify trends, data gaps, data accuracy or utilising data to support a change in process.
• Solve complex problems – Use your analytical skills to investigate and resolve either a HR terms and conditions query (such as occupational maternity pay), a system issue or a pay related query. This will include using your HR knowledge to review existing data, processes and systems to identify root causes and deliver effective solutions.
• Support on process improvement – Ensure our HR processes are efficient, streamlined, and deliver excellent service to our customers.
• Be our HR systems expert – Act as the go-to person for complex HR system queries. This includes supporting our employees and managers on accessing our HR systems and using its functionality to undertake HR/payroll actions. Where queries cannot be resolved, escalating and working closely with our system provider to resolve issues.
• Collaborate across teams – Work closely with our external payroll provider to ensure our Payroll Transactions are well managed and delivered to agreed Service Level Agreements, escalating resolutions where required. Work closely with our People Services Team with process changes or delivery of services which impact on payroll transactions.

The minimum criteria that will be used to shortlist for this role will be:

• HR and Payroll Systems Experience – Proven experience working within a HR/payroll environment, with hands-on experience of using HR and payroll IT systems.
• Digital Confidence & Data Analysis Skills – Strong computer literacy skills, knowledge of HR/payroll systems and ability to manipulate data effectively using Microsoft excel.
• Advisory Skills – Ability to provide clear, informed advice on pay and HR matters (including HR system queries), identifying potential risks and offering practical solutions.
• Project and Process Expertise – Experience supporting HR processes, system implementations, or improvement projects, including system testing.
• Process Mapping Skills – Proficiency in process mapping (e.g., using Visio) and re-engineering to drive efficiency and improvement.
• Analytical Thinking – Experience conducting research, reviewing local government terms and conditions/HR legislation, identifying opportunities for improvement, and implementing new or revised HR processes.
• Communication and Influence – Skilled in engaging with internal stakeholders, presenting information clearly in various formats to influence and inform.

For further information about this role please contact Karen Till, Service & Systems Improvement Manager - karen.till@staffordshire.gov.uk

Interviews are anticipated to take place week commencing 2nd November 2026.

Our Recruitment Process: We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you’ll bring to the role.

Please note: The minimum criteria in the ideal candidate section detailed above will be used if you are applying under one of our Interview Guarantee Schemes, detailed below.

We are no ordinary county council:

Our Values:

The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.

Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:

We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.

We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.

Our benefits:

We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.

In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire

Our recruitment process:

As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities

As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.