Human Resources Advisor

Oxford City Council is entering one of the most exciting and significant periods of change in its recent history. Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) will reshape how councils across Oxfordshire work together, creating new ways of delivering services and new opportunities for our people. With this change comes the need to support our managers and staff so they feel confident, informed and ready for the future.

In this role you will help us to deliver a smooth, legally compliant and people-centred transition to the new Council structures, through the effective coaching of managers on a range of employee relations cases including absence management, poor performance, organisational change, disciplinaries and grievances.

You’ll be involved in work to evaluate workforce impact, identify risks and prepare managers and employees for forthcoming structural changes through robust planning, consultation and job evaluation support.

You will attend formal meetings, advise on employment law, policy, procedures, and best practice to ensure we consistently do the right thing by our staff.

You’ll also have an opportunity to shape our future policies and processes through the review and update of our core employment policy documents as well as getting involved in project work across the HR function.

You’ll be joining a friendly, supportive People Team that cares deeply about developing others and creating a great workplace culture. If you enjoy variety, connection, creativity and having a visible impact across an organisation, this role offers all of that, and more.

We pride ourselves in being a welcoming team and embrace diversity and would welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Passionate about diversity? You can even join one of our Staff Networks and help to influence the way we support our colleagues.

For an informal discussion about the post please contact Victoria Taylor via email at vtaylor@oxford.gov.uk.

About us

Our ambitious leadership team and dedicated staff are working hard building a world class city for everyone. Oxford City Council has accelerated plans to build more affordable and council housing in the city. We provide services to help reduce inequality and improve the health and wellbeing of Oxford’s residents and are taking a lead on reducing emissions and increasing biodiversity to become a net carbon neutral city of the future.

We are a supportive and collaborative bunch of people working towards shared goals, where new ideas and initiatives are valued. We strive to deliver service excellence, take accountability for our actions and communicate with honestly and respect. There has never been a more exciting time to join us! Help us to build successful places in which to live and work and build a fairer, greener city in which everyone can thrive.

We offer generous holiday of 29 days a year with an additional 4 days after 5 years’ service and an excellent range of benefits including the Local Government Pension Scheme, payment of professional fees and subscriptions, Personal accident insurance, Travel loans, Travel to Work Discount Scheme, Eye care, Gym membership, Cycle to Work Scheme, Staff Offers Discount Scheme, an Employee Assistance Programme and discounts for Oxford attractions. You can find out more in our Candidate Pack.

In addition, we are committed to supporting career development opportunities and learning and development.

Role purpose

• To provide expert advice to employees and line managers on all employee relations matters
• To support casework in line with OCC policies and procedures
• To build management capability through coaching and training
• To provide guidance and support to business leads, line managers and employees through the organisational change process
• To maintain and improve the wellbeing support provided to employees across the organisation

Role responsibilities and main duties

• Advising and coaching managers and employees on a high volume of cases covering all aspects of the employment relationship in a timely and professional manner
• Supporting and leading advice for complex case work
• Sitting as part of Hearing and Appeal Panels for complex cases, advising senior leaders on process and ensuring the correct steps are taken in line with OCC policies and employment law
• Providing support to managers in the preparation for formal processes e.g. invite letters, meeting notes, hearing packs
• Preparing Employment Tribunal bundles and supporting the preparations for court cases in conjunction with the legal team
• Attending formal meetings, taking notes and providing HR support to managers making formal decisions in line with OCC policies
• Lead on and independently drive organisational change projects, providing advice on the process and case specific concerns to ensure the necessary policies and legislation are followed
• Managing and maintaining the job evaluation procedure, including the completion of initial score line grading and organisation of panels
• Identifying ways and setting out the steps needed to develop and revise existing HR processes and policies to ensure that they comply with relevant quality standards, organisational objectives and employment law
• Leading on policy updates – to include the research, design, consultation, communication, training and implementation
• Understanding, interpreting and analysing changes in UK employment law to identify any proactive adjustments required to OCC’s internal policies and procedures
• Leading and supporting on a variety of people initiatives and projects in relation to employee well-being, attendance, engagement and people management practices
• Delivering training to line managers to support upskilling for managers on key topics – including the design of training material
• Identifying innovative and creative ways to advance service delivery and improve the efficiency of the service
• Ensuring good practice and diligence regarding production and maintenance of employee-related data and records
• Working closely and effectively with other colleagues across the organisation to deliver high quality customer service
• Generating and analysing reports from HR management information systems to inform recommendations for management action, workforce planning, etc.
• Leading on project and research work, as required
• Maintaining positive relations with Trade Union groups and providing a key role in negotiating outcomes

Who we are looking for

Candidates will be shortlisted on the basis of demonstrating that they fulfil the following criteria on their application form and should include clear examples of how they meet these criteria.

Each of the criteria below will be measured through, the application form, interview, test/exercise or documentation (eg a qualification document).

Essential Criteria

• Experience of supporting complex employee relations cases including disciplinary, grievance, performance, absence, ill health, flexible working, redundancy, contractual changes etc.
• Experience of reviewing and updating core People Policies e.g., Attendance at Work, Performance Improvement, Disciplinary or Grievance
• Excellent understanding of UK legislation across all HR policies and procedures – including ability to assess potential areas of risk
• Experience of senior stakeholder management: keeping relevant parties informed on the progress of the case and knowing when to flag any risks or concerns
• Experience of liaising and consulting with trade union representatives or staff representative groups to negotiate successful outcomes
• Strong communication and influencing skills
• Experience of driving change and delivering service improvements

Desirable Criteria

• CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent
• Confident navigation of Microsoft Word, Excel and Teams

Notes to applicants

In addition to the above criteria, Oxford City Council has developed and embedded a suite of values and behaviours. Full details of these can be found on our web page, under Working for Us. Please familiarise yourself with these values and behaviours. If you are invited for interview, you will be asked questions based on them. More information about working for the Council, our values and vision, is available on our website.

How to apply

Applications should be made via our online application system (no CVs please).For further information and how to apply online, please visit https://www.oxford.gov.uk/jobs

If you are unable to access our website please call 01865 252848.

Note: For roles that require a DBS Certificate (Enhanced and or Barred List check), candidates are required to supply their complete work history.

You will be notified of the outcome of your application either way. If you are selected for interview, you will be informed whether the interviews will be online or in-person. Please note, for hybrid roles the successful applicant will be expected to work from home. You should ensure that you have reliable and secure Wi-Fi access; a suitable workspace and are prepared to undertake distance learning and training.

Closing Date: 09 June 2026

Late applications will not be processed

Interview Date(s):

• 1st Interviews: 24 June 2026 and 26 June 2026
• 2nd Interviews: 30 June 2026 and 01 July 2026

We are an equal opportunity employer:

We are striving to become a more inclusive employer and to represent the communities that we support. We have policies in place to ensure that every applicant and employee can flourish and succeed. Currently we are underrepresented in some areas and would particularly welcome applicants from ethnic and minority communities. All applicants will be given fair consideration for work and will not receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of any protected characteristic.

Our commitment to Safeguarding:

Oxford City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and requires all staff and volunteers to demonstrate this commitment in every aspect of their work.