Service Manager: Recruitment and Resourcing

Halton Borough Council is looking for an experienced and confident Service Manager - Recruitment and Resourcing to lead its Recruitment and Resourcing Team through a period of change and development.

This is a key leadership role within the HR Service Centre, with responsibility for the performance, direction and delivery of the Recruitment and Resourcing service across the Council.

The successful candidate will provide strong and visible leadership to the team, bringing structure, consistency and focus to the service whilst supporting colleagues through current challenges and identifying opportunities to improve processes, systems and customer experience.

Reporting to the Head of HR Operations, you will work closely with senior leaders across the Council and the wider HR function, providing strategic and operational leadership across recruitment, resourcing, contingent workforce management and associated HR systems and processes.

This role would suit an experienced recruitment, resourcing or HR leader who is comfortable operating in a complex environment, can build relationships quickly and has the resilience and confidence to lead a team through change.

The Role

As Service Manager - Recruitment and Resourcing, you will have overall responsibility for managing and developing the Recruitment and Resourcing Team, ensuring the service provides an effective, compliant and customer-focused recruitment solution to the Council.

A key priority will be providing stability and clear direction to the team, ensuring resources are appropriately deployed, performance is managed effectively and colleagues have the coaching and support they need to deliver a high-quality service.

You will work collaboratively with the Head of HR Operations and wider HR Leadership Team to shape service strategy, improve recruitment and resourcing processes and ensure the service continues to meet the changing needs of the Council.

The role also has significant responsibility for the Council's contingent workforce, including agency and casual workers, and the relationship with Connect2Halton as the Council's agency worker provider.

Key Responsibilities

Lead, manage, coach and develop the Recruitment and Resourcing Team, including objective setting, performance management, mentoring and employee development reviews. Provide clear leadership and direction to the team during a period of change, ensuring a positive, collaborative and high-performing working environment. Review team structures, workloads and processes to ensure resources are effectively deployed and service priorities are met. Take responsibility for the overall delivery and performance of the Recruitment and Resourcing service. Work closely with the Head of HR Operations and wider HR Leadership Team to develop business strategy, service plans, performance measures and improvement initiatives. Oversee and continuously improve recruitment policies, processes and procedures, ensuring compliance with employment legislation, Council policies, governance requirements and best practice. Manage recruitment processes for permanent, temporary and fixed-term employees, alongside the acquisition and management of contingent resources including casual and agency workers. Manage the Council's Agency Contract Manager and ensure an effective relationship and interface between the Council, its Directorates and Connect2Halton. Monitor and report on contingent workforce spend, including agency and casual worker costs, providing accurate management information to senior management, elected members and relevant boards and committees. Support complex service reviews, restructuring and organisational redesign exercises, providing practical and legally compliant resourcing solutions. Work collaboratively with managers, senior leaders and Trade Union colleagues on organisational change and resourcing matters. Manage and develop service level agreements, ensuring effective service delivery, compliance and appropriate cost recovery. Oversee recruitment and resourcing services provided to schools, including teaching and non-teaching recruitment and chargeable recruitment advertising services. Work with internal and external stakeholders to ensure recruitment processes are timely, accurate and customer-focused. Support the development and effective use of the Council's HR, payroll, e-recruitment, document management and associated HR systems. Ensure accurate and effective use of recruitment and workforce data, including management information, statistical returns and responses to relevant information requests. Prepare and present reports, presentations and management information to senior management teams, Council boards and other relevant forums. Build strong relationships with internal customers, professional networks, auditors, external bodies and other local authorities to share best practice and resolve challenges. Deputise for the Head of HR Operations at relevant boards, meetings and forums when required. Promote and market the Council's HR Operations and Recruitment and Resourcing services, including supporting tender activity and opportunities to generate new business. Ensure safeguarding, employment legislation, ACAS guidance and relevant statutory and regulatory requirements are embedded within recruitment and resourcing processes. Support continuous improvement across the wider HR function and identify opportunities to make better use of systems, technology and resources. Provide advice and guidance to managers and senior stakeholders on complex recruitment, resourcing, organisational change and workforce matters.

About You

We are looking for an experienced Recruitment, Resourcing or HR Manager with a strong track record of leading teams and delivering effective recruitment and workforce services within a complex organisation.

You will be a confident and resilient leader who can quickly understand the current position, identify priorities and provide clear direction. You will be comfortable managing change, challenging existing processes and finding practical solutions whilst maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders.

You will have:

Significant experience of managing and developing a recruitment, resourcing or HR team. Strong knowledge of recruitment and resourcing processes and best practice. Experience of managing organisational change, restructuring or service redesign. Strong knowledge of employment legislation, ACAS Codes of Practice and HR policy. Experience of managing complex recruitment and resourcing challenges. Experience of managing or overseeing contingent workforce and agency supply arrangements. Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and advise senior managers. Experience of working collaboratively with Trade Unions and other key stakeholders. Proven experience of coaching and developing teams and managing performance. Experience of budget management, service level agreements and cost recovery. Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret workforce and recruitment data. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to produce and present clear reports and management information. Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing demands and tight deadlines. A pragmatic, solutions-focused approach and the resilience to operate effectively during periods of change. Strong IT and HR systems knowledge, with an understanding of e-recruitment, HR and payroll systems. A commitment to delivering excellent customer service and continuous improvement.A driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential as the role involves travel across the borough and occasionally further afield. Reasonable adjustments will be made where appropriate in accordance with the Equality Act.

Why Join Us?

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced recruitment or HR leader to make a real impact within Halton Borough Council.

You will be joining at an important time for the Recruitment and Resourcing service, with the opportunity to lead a team through change, strengthen service delivery, improve processes and systems, and help shape the future direction of the function.

The role offers hybrid working, a 37-hour working week, Monday to Friday, at £25.26 per hour.

The initial contract is for 3 months, with the potential for extension and potentially a permanent appointment for the right person.

Connect2Halton is a trading style of Halton & Kent Commercial Services LLP- A joint venture between Halton Borough Council & Commercial Services Kent Ltd. Connect2Halton is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates