Business Partner – Organisational Development (Gr J)

Job Category : Human Resources

Location : Royal Borough of Kingston

Hours Per Week : 28.80

Start Date : Immediate start

Start Time :09:00

End Time :17:00
Salary: £346.36

Permanent role, based in Kingston and Sutton

Grade J

We are a shared service between Kingston and Sutton Councils providing HR and Organisational Development services to both Councils as well as a number of arm’s length companies and traded services to schools.  These companies are all different – in size, their customer groups and their aims. HR & OD needs to ensure that it is able to deliver against all their organisational priorities through the use of a flexible service delivery model.

To operate in this model we will all be:

• Easy to do business with and responsive
• Commercially astute
• Flexible, creative problem solvers
• Professionals with collaborative and participative working styles
• Well trained, technically competent and knowledgeable in our fields
• Engaged in life long learning
• Advocates of a culture that fosters performance excellence, full participation and personal and organisational growth
• Accountable at individual, team, service and organisation level

As a service we will:

• Continually assess our effectiveness
• Review our practices to enable simplicity and timeliness
• Exploit digital technological opportunities
• Take a pragmatic approach
• Focus on the customer not the process
• Recognise that we are part of a wider system and operate as a key part of this

Role purpose

The Council is focused on delivering the best possible outcomes for its communities.  To do this the Council needs managers who thrive in a networked organisation and who can provide strong operational leadership.  

• Be focused on either Kingston or Sutton and will work across the directorates within that borough although there is an expectation you will support the other borough if priority demands it
• Take a lead responsibility for one or more Directorates of Kingston and Sutton Councils, as directed, acting as a strategic relationship manager and interface between HR/OD and the business.
• Identify the need for OD and/or HR interventions and to provide or commission advice, support and enhanced solutions, as appropriate.
• Provide challenge and support to the lead area, to actively contribute in achieving objectives within the service plan and those of the wider agenda.
• Lead on organisational development projects, both Directorate and Council wide, including identification of need through to design, development and implementation.
• Be an active member of the respective service area DMTs etc (where applicable). To actively participate in Directorate DMTs and groups e.g. Health and Safety group, Corporate Equality & Diversity group where required.

• All OD Business Partners will be flexible to work in any area of the OD Services as required by the needs of the service to ensure best use of resources. 
• Responsibility for the overseeing of HR & OD objectives will be a requirement

Knowledge and Experience                                        

Substantial HR & OD experience of working in a large and complex shared services environment

Demonstrate post qualifying experience of providing a range of HR and OD Services at strategic and operational levels

Experience of working within a commercial environment                

An understanding of the strategic objectives of an organisation and how this relates to the OD function             

Significant experience of advising and supporting all levels of management and staff on all disciplines relating to Organisational Development                         

Influencing, building and sustaining relationships in order to achieve results                      

Proven experience of delivering successful OD and Council wide projects and supporting organisational change             

Experience of assisting and advising managers through change and service redesign with an understanding of the business and implications involved                                  

Thorough knowledge of employment legislation and experience of interpreting this to support the business                  

Experience of benchmarking and analysis of information including data trends to make informed decisions and support investigations and the development of organisational policy            

Experience of working in a highly unionised environment                            

Excellent working knowledge of relevant legislation and statutory guidance                      

Line management experience            

Qualifications/Training                                               

Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel & Development (MCIPD) or with the necessary criteria and prepared to apply for chartered membership                           

An OD qualification equivalent professional knowledge gained through experience of working as an OD Specialist or as a HR Generalist with an OD focus                                 

Evidence of continuous professional development and keeping up  to date with employment law and best practice across all sectors              

Practical Skills  

Skills and Personal Attributes                                     

Good facilitation skills            

Detailed knowledge and understanding of employment legislation and policies and procedures with the ability to translate this understanding into HR policy             

Ability to build strong relationships               

Commercial awareness                      

Design of OD and Learning and Development interventions            

Ability to understand the meaning of diversity and promote equality                                 

Exceptional analytical skills – ability to not only accurately analyse and interpret data but to identify trends and translate this to effectively provide advice and make decisions on all OD related issues             

Strong verbal, written and reasoning skills including the ability to produce clear and concise documents, to present reports and brief/train stakeholders at all levels                    

Highly developed negotiation and influencing skills              

A broad understanding of the Public Sector and the challenges faced by local authorities             

Ability to work quickly, accurately and to tight deadlines, managing various casework and projects across a range of related subjects              

Personal Qualities and Attributes                                          

A knowledge of Equality, Inclusion & Diversity issues                       

Ability to anticipate and understand challenges and opportunities                          

The desire to drive change to support the transformation of the councils                           

Ability to understand, interpret and apply employment legislation for use in the councils                         

High level problem solving with the ability to balance risks and make decisions                 

Highly developed organisational skills with the ability to identify and manage workloads and deadlines including those whose output you may have responsibility for                        

Flexible and adaptable to work across the Directorates as required                        

High level customer service skills with a business solution focus                              

Excellent inter-personal skills and in particular the ability to negotiate and influence by expressing ideas and views effectively at all levels                              

Forward thinking, innovative and creative, prepared to consider different approaches; solution focused             

Willing to be accountable – for own achievements and the delivery of objectives              

IT literate in line with the requirements of the role and understanding of maximising digital technology to benefit organisations                      

Political sensitivity and awareness of local government and political issues