HR Team Leader - Employee Relations

Job Description

This is an exciting opportunity to shape and lead our Employee Relations function at a time of organisational change and service development.

We are seeking an experienced, confident and credible HR Team Leader to lead our Employee Relations team within Legal and People Services. This is a key leadership role, responsible for leading a team of HR professionals and ensuring high-quality advice, support and case management across a broad range of complex employee relations matters.

The successful candidate will work closely with managers, trade union representatives and senior leaders to support effective, consistent and legally compliant outcomes. They will provide professional leadership to the team, oversee complex and sensitive casework, use data and performance information to identify themes and improvement opportunities, and contribute to the continued development of the Employee Relations service.

This is a highly influential role for someone who wants to make a real impact. You will have the opportunity to influence how employee relations support is delivered across a large and diverse public sector organisation, helping managers navigate complex workforce issues while supporting fair, consistent and practical outcomes for employees and services.

We are looking for someone who can combine technical employee relations knowledge with calm, credible leadership. You will be confident working with senior managers and trade union colleagues, able to navigate sensitive issues, and committed to developing a supportive, professional and high-performing team.

Why this role?

This post offers:

a visible leadership role within a large and diverse public sector organisation;
the opportunity to shape and improve how employee relations support is delivered;
exposure to complex, meaningful and varied work;
close working with senior leaders, managers, trade unions and HR colleagues;
the chance to lead, support and develop a professional HR team;
scope to contribute to wider People Service transformation.

Why work for Aberdeenshire Council?

You’ll join a forward-thinking organisation where HR plays a key role in shaping the workforce and supporting services to deliver for communities.

We offer:

- flexible working options;
- a strong focus on wellbeing and work-life balance;
- opportunities to influence organisational change;
- ongoing professional development.

 

Requirements

The People Service is currently under review. As a result, the scope and remit of this post may change over time, and the postholder may be asked to rotate into other HR Team Leader roles in future. This also provides the opportunity to broaden experience across different areas of HR leadership as the service continues to evolve.

Interviews are expected to be held on 8 October 2026.

Informal enquiries to: Glenda Gray, 01467 539357.

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A Privacy Notice giving you information on the data we hold on you, what we do with that data, who we share your data with and your rights under GDPR is available here.  Alternatively, we can send a copy if you ask us to by emailing askhr@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

This post has a minimum requirement of one reference, which must be your current or most recent employer.

This is a Politically Restricted position as identified by the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Further information on restrictions as a result of this designation is available here.