Job Introduction
This opportunity has arisen due to the career progression of the current postholder, making it an excellent time to join a team that plays a key role in supporting managers and colleagues across the organisation. As a trusted HR partner, you'll provide practical, solution-focused advice on a wide range of employee relations matters, helping managers navigate people challenges with confidence while ensuring fair, consistent, and positive outcomes.
This is a varied and rewarding role where no two days are the same. You'll work closely with managers to resolve complex issues, build management capability, and contribute to a positive workplace culture that reflects our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative. Your expertise will help ensure our colleagues are supported to deliver excellent services for the people of Milton Keynes.
Site-Based role
This is a Site-Based role, and you’ll be expected to work from the designated workplace.
Interviews for this role will be held on 3rd November 2026
At Milton Keynes City Council, we aim to make a difference every day. We’re dedicated, respectful and collaborative. We act as one council, and we work hard to create cleaner, safer and healthier communities while tackling inequalities and supporting people to thrive.
We take pride in our supportive work culture and try to go that extra mile when it comes to investing in our colleagues.
Find out more about working with us here: www.mkcounciljobs.org.uk
Main Responsibility
- Provide accurate and practical advice on employee relations and wider human resources matters.
- Lead and manage casework involving absence, disciplinary matters, grievances, underperformance and terms and conditions.
- Coach and support managers to address people matters promptly, fairly and effectively.
- Build collaborative relationships with managers, colleagues and other stakeholders across the council.
- Identify people-management learning needs and support coaching, mentoring or workshops where appropriate.
- Contribute to council-wide human resources policies, programmes, processes and service improvements.
The Ideal Candidate
- A degree-level qualification with a recognised HR professional qualification, or significant experience in a generalist HR role with strong employee relations expertise.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex or sensitive matters clearly and confidently.
- Ideally, CIPD Level 5 qualification (or working towards it) and Associate Membership, or an equivalent qualification.
- Strong analytical and decision-making skills, with the ability to assess risk and recommend practical solutions.
- Experience of coaching, influencing and supporting managers at different levels.
- Experience of working in a unionised environment would be advantageous but is not essential.
Package Description
In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:
- Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
- Excellent pension - everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support.
- Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
- Salary sacrifice car scheme - eligible employees can lease an electric or low-emission vehicle at a reduced cost through salary sacrifice, subject to National Minimum Wage and other eligibility requirements.
- Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Why join us? Along with more on our Benefits, discover why Working at the City Council could be the right move for you here Working at the Council | Milton Keynes
Roles are either ‘site based’ or ‘home based’.
Site based roles are mainly based at the workplace, with the option to work from home for up to two days a week, depending on service needs.
Home based roles are mainly based at home, with the expectation of attending the workplace up to one day a week.
The working arrangement for each role is set by the manager, based on service requirements.
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.
We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.
We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.
We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.
If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.
Please note that this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have an independent and unrestricted right to work in the UK, without the need for employer sponsorship now or in the future.
