HR Advisory Manager

Job Description

Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities!

We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.

Introduction

Lewisham Council is seeking a highly experienced and strategic HR leader to join our Education and HR Services as Service Manager of Schools HR.

You will lead a skilled team of HR professionals, providing expert advice and operational support to schools across the borough. Your work will directly influence the quality of education and staff wellbeing in Lewisham’s diverse and vibrant school community.

What’s the role?

Leading and managing the Schools HR service, ensuring high-quality support across all HR functions.

• Advise headteachers and governing bodies on complex staffing matters, including employee relations, recruitment, and policy compliance.
• Develop and implement HR strategies aligned with Lewisham’s education and inclusion priorities.
• Ensure compliance with employment law, safeguarding, and best practice in school HR.
• Foster strong partnerships with school leaders, governors, and council colleagues.
  
  

What’s in it for you?

Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday allowance
• Local Government Pension scheme
• Flexible working and family friendly policies
• Season ticket and bicycle loans
• A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
• Supportive staff networks
  
  

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for a confident and collaborative leader with:

• Significant experience in senior HR roles, ideally within education or the public sector.
• In-depth knowledge of employment law and HR policy in school settings.
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and leadership skills.
• A commitment to equity, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
  
  

You will have an eye for accuracy and can ensure quality and consistency of published digital content within the Council’s content management system. You will be keen to get involved in content creation, including directing messaging, editorial and tone of voice. Liaising and supporting service-based content editors to ensure webpages are accurate, kept up to date and serve our residents well, will be what you excel at, as well as having great people skills and experience of supporting and working alongside a diverse range of people.

• Applications will close on Friday 19th September 2025@23:59pm.
• Shortlisting will take place week commencing Monday 22nd September 2025.
• Interviews will be taking place on Thursday 2nd October 2025.
  
  

Location

The job is primarily based in Laurence House, 1 Catford Rd, London SE6 4RU, but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office and from home on a regular basis.

Special conditions

• The job is subject to an enhanced DBS check
  
  

The recruitment process is anonymous and we don’t accept CV’s.

Applicant handbook - please read the guidance in this handbook when applying. It is essential that you complete the application fully and that your supporting statement covers how you meet each of the person specification criteria listed.

For an informal discussion about this job, please contact: Anthony Doudle, Head of Lewisham Learning, [email protected] , mobile: 07090 2583384

Please click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification

Salary

£64,938 - £69,660 per annum (SMG1)

N.B: All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.

Diversity

Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply

The Council has a dedicated employment support service, Lewisham Works , which offers Lewisham residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you want to join Lewisham Works, please email [email protected] and an advisor will be in touch with you.

The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.

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