HR Director & London Regional Employers' Secretary

Package Description

Responsible to: Chief Operating Officer

Responsible for: Four HR and employment services related staff and any temporary staff and external contractors or consultants assigned.

Starting salary: circa £90k

Working Hours: 35 per week

Job Category: Corporate Governance - Human Resources

Contract details: Permanent. Full time. Hybrid working, some mandatory office days required.

Why Join Us?
London Councils is at the heart of improving life for Londoners. We run a number of services on behalf of our members, providing opportunities for all residents, including: the Freedom Pass, Taxicard, Health Emergency Badge and grants programme for voluntary sector organisations.

The London Regional Employers' Organisation, part of London Councils, is one of eleven regional groups representing local authorities across the UK. It manages the London Agreement on pay and conditions for borough staff, provides secretariat support to key committees, and helps resolve employment disputes

Join us and lead initiatives that make a difference to the communities we serve, and lead workforce innovation for London’s future!

Contact our retained recruitment partner Penna for more information on how to apply

• Rachael Morris – Rachael.morris@penna.com – 07840711217 

Closing date: 6 April 2025

Technical Interviews: w/c 14 April  

Final Interviews: w/c 22 April

Job Introduction

Are you ready to shape the future of London’s public services?

This is your chance to make a real impact across the capital by leading workforce strategy and innovation for London Councils. As the HR Director & London Regional Employers’ Secretary, you’ll empower London boroughs by sharing best practices, driving transformation, and ensuring that our HR policies enable teams to deliver on London’s shared ambitions.

Main Responsibilities

In this pivotal position, you will:

• Act as the strategic HR lead for London Councils, guiding workforce policies that support our mission.
• Serve as Secretary to the Greater London Provincial Council and Employers’ Forum, directly advising on workforce matters and managing key meetings.
• Oversee the London Agreement, setting pay and conditions for borough employees.
• Promote innovative employment models to enhance public service delivery across London.
• Provide expert advice on HR best practices and legislative responses.
• Manage the HR Metrics service, transforming data into actionable insights for London’s authorities.
• Lead and inspire HR teams, ensuring they thrive in an inclusive and equitable environment.

This is a politically restricted post, under Section 2 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

Read about the job activities in more detail in the Job Description and Person Specification document attached below.

The Ideal Candidate

We’re looking for a strategic leader with expert knowledge of delivering HROD services in the public sector. You should have proven experience working with senior leaders, managing negotiations, and influencing outcomes effectively. Exceptional communication skills are essential to engage confidently with a wide range of stakeholders and to navigate complex employee relations environments. You’ll work in partnership across council officers and elected members and be at the forefront of Trade Union negotiations and consultation processes. 

A passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion is vital as is your ability to analyse workforce metrics and transform data into actionable insights. If you thrive in dynamic environments and can lead and inspire HR teams to deliver their best, this could be the role for you.

About The Company

London Councils is the collective of London local government, the 32 boroughs and the City of London Corporation. They come together through London Councils to work in collaboration to deliver their shared ambitions for London and Londoners. Through lobbying, collaboration and partnership, we ensure the voice of the London boroughs are united, and heard at a local, regional and national level. We also run a number of services on behalf of the boroughs including the Freedom Pass, Taxicard and Health Emergency Badge.

Read more about London Councils - London Councils

The London Regional Employers' Organisation is part of London Councils and is one of eleven regional employers’ groups which represents the interests of local authorities across the United Kingdom.  We manage the London Agreement which determines pay and terms and conditions for London borough staff and provide secretary services to the Greater London Provincial Council and the Greater London Employment Forum committees, as well as supporting the resolution of London borough employment related disputes.