HR Advisor – Casework – CMB2182e

FULL JOB DESCRIPTION

About us

‎Cumberland Council is building a supportive, collaborative, and forward-thinking HR Advisory Team dedicated to strengthening people practices across the organisation. We champion best practice, consistency, and the professional development of managers to ensure excellent service delivery for our communities. You’ll be part of a team that values ambition, compassion, innovation, and empowerment.

 

Employer: Cumberland Council 

Position: HR Advisor 

Salary: £38,220 to £39,152 per annum

Job Type: Full-time 

Work location: Cumberland, UK

 

What We Offer:

• ‎A flexible working model across Cumberland, with base locations in Workington or Carlisle plus some home working.
• ‎The chance to consolidate and strengthen your employee relations expertise within a knowledgeable and friendly HR team.
• ‎Opportunities to contribute to key HR projects and policy development.
• ‎A fixed-term contract until 31st March 2026, with the possibility of extension depending on funding.

Other Benefits:

• Work within a values-led organisation committed to positive change and excellent public service.
• ‎Support to grow in the role — we prioritise potential over perfection.
• ‎A culture that encourages collaboration, capability building, and continuous improvement.
• ‎The opportunity to make a meaningful impact across the council’s people-related decisions and practices.

Your Role Will Include:

• Provide timely, accurate, and professional HR advice on policies, procedures, and employment legislation.
• ‎Support managers with complex casework including disciplinary matters, grievances, and absence management.
• ‎Promote HR best practice by educating and guiding line managers.
• ‎Contribute to HR project work and the development or review of policies.
• ‎Analyse HR data and metrics to spot trends, recommend interventions, and support decision-making.

What We’re Looking For:

• You may already be an Associate Member of CIPD or working toward it; experienced HR professionals are also encouraged to apply.
• ‎Strong generalist understanding of HR across the full employee lifecycle.
• ‎Up-to-date knowledge of employment law and HR best practice.
• ‎Excellent communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder-influencing skills.
• ‎Individuals who embody our values: ambitious, collaborative, compassionate, empowering, and innovative.

 

This is your chance to step into a role where your HR expertise genuinely shapes people, practice, and culture across a whole council. If you’re driven, people-focused, and ready to grow, Cumberland Council is ready to help you thrive. This is more than an HR role — it’s an opportunity to make a real difference in how a community is supported, led, and inspired.

 

Contact

For more information about the role or to arrange an informal chat prior to your application, please contact Phillippa Hardy by email at Philippa.Hardy@cumbria.gov.uk

 

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 Employer 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.

 

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

 

Application and Interview information

Closing date: midnight on 14 December 2025

Interview date: 22 December 2025

 

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.

 

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

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

If you’re interested in this role, CLICK HERE and apply now!