HR Adviser
- Exeter, Devon
- Multiple Terms
- £39,862 - £44,075 per annum, pro rata
We’re looking for passionate and experienced HR Advisers to join our People and Culture Directorate at Devon County Council.
We are recruiting for both permanent and 12 month fixed-term vacancies within our Policy, Reward & Relations and Operational Casework teams.
The 4 HR Adviser posts we are recruiting for are:
- 0.69 FTE - Permanent - HR Casework
- 1 FTE - Fixed term maternity cover (up to 12 months) - HR Casework
- 1 FTE - Fixed term additional funding (up to 12 months) - HR Casework
- 1 FTE - Permanent - Policy, Reward & Relation
Please clearly indicate within your application whether you wish to be considered for vacancies in one or both teams and your preferred contract type.
Our HR Adviser vacancies fall within two teams within People and Culture:
1. Our Policy, Reward and Relations Team
The Policy, Reward and Relations team are responsible for developing and maintaining the framework for policy and reward within Devon County Council. The team are split into Reward (job evaluation, pay and employee benefits) and Policy – with both teams supporting the operational delivery of our People Strategy.
As an HR Adviser within the Policy Team within HR Policy, Rewards and Relations, you will play a crucial role in supporting the workforce and shaping the future of the organisation by delivering first class, business focused HR solutions. You will be responsible for policy development, working with and maintaining constructive relations with our trade union colleagues. It is important that these activities are delivered in an efficient and productive way.
The role requires someone who can bring attention to detail with the ability to interpret employment legislation and translate this into policy and guidance as well.
2. Our Operational Casework Team
The Operational Casework team has a strong presence, providing advice and guidance on many HR and employee relations issues across Devon County Council, to Schools and other external clients. Demands are high due to the challenges the Council currently faces, but this provides the opportunity for HR Advisers to work in partnership with our customers to enable them to pragmatically resolve their HR issues, which can be complex, and support them in delivering crucial services to our communities and Schools.
As a team, we take a person-centred approach to employee relations and are on a journey to embed restorative practices. The role requires highly effective communicators and negotiators, able to adapt their approach to suit different customer needs. We are seeking individuals with a ‘can do’ attitude who will be able to fit quickly into our existing teams and can offer a range of HR experience and knowledge.
Whilst experience of working with local government, Schools or NHS terms and conditions would be helpful, we are interested in hearing from you whatever your HR background. As we are currently undergoing significant change in DCC, experience in change programmes including restructures and TUPE would be particularly advantageous.
Who you are
We are looking for highly skilled and experienced HR professionals with a proven track record of delivering HR solutions and working effectively as part of a team. We are looking for candidates who;
- Are self-motivated and driven
- Can conduct benchmarking and market analysis to ensure our people solutions are evidence based
- Have highly effective research skills with ability to interpret and apply to organisational objectives
- Are customer focused, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills which build effective relationships
- Have strong written skills with an ability to communicate clearly and concisely, in a way that fosters understanding
- Can work collaboratively with colleagues and Trade Union representatives to achieve desired outcomes
- Can work in an agile way to support changing demands
Our offer to you
Working for Devon County Council delivers all the benefits you would expect from a large employer including:
- Incremental pay increases within your grade
- Generous annual leave and other holiday entitlements along with flexible working
- Entry into the Local Government Pension Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Discount schemes
- Find out more about Our Offer to You. For more information on our People Strategy.
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Work from home
Schedule:
- Flexi-time
- Monday to Friday
For more information or to request an informal discussion about this opportunity, please email Heather Timbrell, Head of HR Policy, Reward & Relations at heather.timbrell@devon.gov.uk or Kathryn Chidzey-Jones, Head of HR Casework at kathryn.chidzeyjones@devon.gov.uk.
How to apply
Please ensure when completing your application form that you provide a supporting statement which demonstrates how you meet the essential and desirable criteria as described in the person specification of the job description. Applications may not be taken forwards if the supporting statement is not adequately completed.
Internal Applicants, please note: If you are an existing DCC employee, please use your iTrent Employee Self Service (ESS) details to log in and apply.
Please click Apply Now to see the Job Description.
- DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages.
- Happy to Talk Flexible Working- The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
- We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
- This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
- Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice.
- For more information about Working for Devon please visit our Working for Devon page.
- We cannot consider visa sponsorship at this time. UK Right to Work is required. For further guidance on right to work in the UK, please visit: Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
- This role requires a DBS disclosure.
Reference: REQ009281
Job Details
- OrganisationDevon County Council
- Work LocationExeterDevon
- Work Postcode
EX2 4QD
- Reference
REQ009281
- Occupational GroupHR & Recruitment
- Salary Details
£39,862 - £44,075 per annum, pro rata
- Job TermPermanentFixed
- Appointment TypeFull TimePart Time
- Hours
Please see the advert text regarding the hours of work
- Closing Date
05/03/2026
- DBS Check Required
Yes