Grade 18

• Salary: £65,872 to £68,775
• Hours: 37 hours per week
• Location: Cumberland Wide (Hybrid working)
• Contract: Permanent

Join Cumberland Council at a pivotal stage in our journey and play a leading role in shaping the future of our workforce, services and communities.

We are looking for an accomplished and forward-thinking Strategic HR Business Partner to join our HR/OD Senior Management Team. This is a high-profile and influential leadership role requiring a highly credible HR professional with significant experience of operating at a strategic level, influencing senior leaders and delivering complex organisational change.

Working closely with Directors, Directorate Leadership Teams and colleagues across HR/OD, you will provide trusted advice, strategic insight and innovative people solutions that support organisational priorities and help deliver lasting benefits for the communities we serve.

About the role

As a key member of the HR/OD Senior Management Team, you will play a central role in shaping and delivering the Council's people agenda, ensuring workforce strategies, organisational development activity and transformation programmes contribute directly to the delivery of corporate and service priorities.

 Working collaboratively with senior colleagues across HR/OD, you will help develop integrated and sustainable solutions to workforce and organisational challenges, bringing together expertise from across the service to deliver the greatest impact for our customers, workforce and communities.

You will act as a trusted adviser, strategic partner and change leader, supporting Directors and senior leaders through complex workforce issues, organisational transformation, service redesign and cultural change. Combining strategic thinking with pragmatic delivery, you will influence decision-making, provide professional challenge and help leaders navigate an increasingly complex operating environment.

 This role requires an individual with the professional credibility, leadership experience and strategic capability to make an immediate contribution, providing expert support across a broad portfolio of workforce and organisational priorities.

Who we’re looking for

You will be an experienced HR leader with a proven track record of operating successfully at a senior strategic level within a large, complex and politically aware organisation.

You will bring:

• Significant senior-level HR Business Partnering experience, working directly with senior leaders and leadership teams to shape organisational and workforce strategy.
• Demonstrable experience of leading large-scale organisational change, transformation, service redesign and cultural development programmes.
• A strong track record of influencing strategic decision-making and delivering measurable organisational outcomes through people-focused interventions.
• Extensive experience of managing complex employee relations matters and working effectively with Trade Unions in challenging environments.
• Exceptional relationship-building, communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence, support and constructively challenge senior leaders.
• Strong commercial, organisational and political awareness, coupled with sound professional judgement.
• A collaborative leadership style and commitment to working collectively to deliver high-quality, customer-focused services.
• The ability to operate with confidence, resilience and credibility in a fast-paced and evolving environment.

Why join us?

There is a real opportunity to make a difference at Cumberland Council.

 As one of the newest councils in the country, we are continuing to shape our organisation, strengthen our culture and deliver ambitious plans for our workforce and communities. This role offers the opportunity to influence strategic priorities, shape organisational culture and play a key role in delivering lasting change across the Council.

You will join a progressive and ambitious HR/OD leadership team that values collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement, where your expertise, insight and leadership will directly influence the future direction of the organisation.

Guaranteed Interviews

We offer a guaranteed interview to the following applicants as long as your application can demonstrate you meet the essential criteria for the role.

• Those who consider themselves disabled as defined by the Equality Act 2010
• Those in care or who have left care and are aged 24 and under
• Those who identify as a member of the British Armed Forces community (service leavers, veterans, their partners or spouses, reservists, cadets).

If you meet one or more of the criteria above, and wish to be considered for this scheme, select 'yes' to the appropriate question during your application. Find out more.

Diversity, Inclusion & Adjustments

We’re dedicated to enhancing the diversity of our workforce and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. That’s why we’re a proud Disability Confident Leader and also an Age Friendly Employer – to provide opportunities for everyone to thrive.

If you need any reasonable adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please let either the hiring manager or our Resourcing Team know by emailing Resourcing@Cumberland.gov.uk. While adjustments aren’t always guaranteed, we’ll always listen and we’ll try our best to accommodate your needs.

Application and Interview information

• Closing date: Monday, 31st August 2026
• Interview date: w/c Monday, 14th September 2026 (in person, Carlisle)

If you experience any difficulties logging in to apply for this role, please contact the HR Systems team at HR.Systems@cumbria.gov.uk.

If you would like further information or to arrange an informal chat to hear more about the role, please contact our Assistant Director, HR/OD - Jacqui Green - jacqui.green@cumberland.gov.uk (Requests for information/informal chats will not form part of the application or selection process).

Please note this role may close early subject to demand. If you’re interested in applying, you should apply well before the advised closing date. We cannot accept applications once the role has closed.

Join us

If you are an established strategic HR professional who thrives in complex environments, can influence at the highest levels and is motivated by the opportunity to deliver meaningful organisational and workforce outcomes, we would welcome your application.

Easily apply by submitting your CV and answering a few short questions

Please read the supporting information:

• Post Specification

Please also refer to our Careers site to find out more:

• Our Staff Benefits
• Candidate Support
• About Cumberland Council