Human Resources

Our HR service is made up of 115 passionate, friendly, and inclusive colleagues who work together every day to support the employees of Leeds City Council and the people of Leeds.

We provide employment advice, support and interventions across a workforce of over 14,000 staff delivering hundreds of different services to the people of Leeds. We also support 11,500 staff working across our primary and secondary schools.  

We work in a complex, diverse and fast-paced environment but we are proud to always adopt a positive, friendly and ambitious approach to our work. We develop positive working relationships between ourselves and our many stakeholders including elected members, trade unions and other employers in the city. 

Most of the roles in this service are HR Advisers who work directly with services or schools, supporting them with a wide range of employment matters. We also work together to improve the employee experience, strengthen the council’s culture and values, and improve leadership and management across the organisation.

We have specific teams that support and manage recruitment, employee relations, equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, wellbeing, and organisational development. Due to the size and breadth of the areas we support, it is common for individuals to rotate around the teams to further skills, contribution, and career.

We strive to improve the council’s workforce capacity and capability and we are committed to ensuring our staff are safe and have the best employee experience.  

Equality, diversity and inclusion are core to our values and behaviours, and underpin everything that we do. It matters therefore to us that everyone feels included regardless of their background. We embrace difference, encouraging everyone to bring their whole and best self to work. 

Not all our roles require you to have HR or local government experience but you will need to be a   great team worker, exercise sound judgement and be willing and able to apply fresh thinking and creativity. 

Now is a very exciting time to be joining the HR service. We have fantastic talent across our teams, and new colleagues will strengthen our resources and help us continue the great work we are doing to support the delivery of the city’s ambitions.  

We are looking for practitioners who can help us continue to deliver our People Strategy and make Leeds City Council the best place to work. We need people who: 

  • Come with fresh thinking, energy, and compassion for people  
  • Are willing to innovate and challenge   
  • Can apply their knowledge, skills, and judgement within a large and complex organisation 
  • Are values-driven and outcome focussed. 

In return, we will provide roles that will enable you to develop in both breadth and depth. We will support your development and career ambitions. We will also encourage you to craft and frame your job to maximise your diverse skills, talents, and expertise.

Our colleagues say:

Nick, Senior HR Advisor

“Working in the HR team of a major local employer I see the impact of good employee relations close up. Living our values is key to colleagues wanting to stay with us. I’m glad to be in a team where people being in the right place and feeling positive about work is central to what we do. The work is challenging, enjoyable and varied.”

Gerry, Senior HR Advisor

“You never know what interesting openings might come up at the council. I moved into HR from community-based roles, helping me understand what services need from HR. Now I'm in recruitment and workforce planning, I love that my role contributes to creating opportunities for others, including entry routes for young people to start a career with us.”