Strategic HR Manager

Job Description

The London Borough of Harrow is seeking an experienced Strategic HR Manager to join its Resources & Innovation Directorate. This pivotal role offers an exciting opportunity to shape and deliver innovative HR and Organisational Development strategies that drive cultural change, enhance leadership capability, and foster a high-performing workforce.

Reporting to the Head of Human Resources, you will lead on critical workforce priorities, including reducing sickness absence, minimising agency costs, and supporting organisational transformation through restructuring and change programmes. You will champion employee engagement, equality, diversity, and inclusion while ensuring compliance and consistency in all aspects of employee relations.

As a key member of the HR leadership team, you will manage and develop HR professionals, promoting a proactive, customer-focused service that delivers solutions-oriented support across the Council. Your expertise will influence strategic decision-making, build strong partnerships with senior leaders and trade unions, and contribute to Harrow’s vision of continuous improvement and organisational resilience.

If you are CIPD-qualified, with proven experience in leading HR and OD initiatives within complex organisations, and possess exceptional stakeholder management and analytical skills, this is an outstanding opportunity to make a lasting impact on Harrow’s workforce and community.

The selection process will include a competency-based test and interview - Planned interview date: 15 Jan 2025

The successful candidate will have:

• CIPD qualification or equivalent professional HR accreditation.
• Proven experience in leading HR and Organisational Development initiatives within a complex organisation.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law, employee relations, and organisational development practices.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and develop HR teams, fostering high performance and engagement.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to build strong relationships at all levels.
• Experience in delivering large-scale change programmes, including restructures and TUPE transfers.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret workforce data and drive evidence-based decisions.
• Exceptional communication skills, including report writing and presenting complex information clearly.
• Financial awareness and experience in managing budgets.
• A commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and continuous improvement in all aspects of HR delivery.

For more information, please refer to the Role Profile/ Selection Criteria

About us

Harrow Council is the 12th largest London borough and one of the most culturally diverse local authorities in the UK, making it a great place to live, work and visit with a range of cultures, religions and opinions that come together to produce high achieving schools and a close and friendly community. Located 10 miles from the city centre and just 13 minutes to Euston from Harrow & Wealdstone station there are great transport links via the Metropolitan Line, Watford DC Line and national rail service. It is easily accessible to the M1, M25 and A406.

Other information

Support for candidates visit:Harrow.gov.uk Our behavioural indicators roles below G11 and above G11 Here at Harrow Council, the vision is one of 'Working together to make a difference for Harrow' Please click here to view Harrow Council's benefits

Important Note

To deliver our commitment to equality of opportunity in service provision, all staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in the services the Council delivers. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs at the London Borough of Harrow. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender, reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy, or maternity unless a Genuine Occupational Qualification applies. As such, we value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds. For further information, please read our equality statement.

As a disability-confident employer, we are committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and accessible to everyone. This includes reasonably adjusting the recruitment process for those with disabilities or long-term health conditions. For further information, please contact us at resourcing@harrow.gov.uk

London Borough of Harrow is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Harrow operates stringent, safer recruitment procedures.

Due to the high number of applications received for some posts, we may close vacancies before the stated closing date if sufficient applications are received. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible.

Harrow redeployees will be given priority consideration.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, any your data protection rights, can be found by visiting www.cifas.org.uk/fpn