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Halton Borough Council is seeking an experienced and driven Project Lead to take ownership of a high-impact absence management project, working from within the HR Business Partner (HRBP) Team.

This is a hybrid role (3 days in the office, 2 days remote) based at the DCBL Stadium in Widnes, offering a unique opportunity to lead a strategic piece of work as part of the Council's wider Transformation Programme. The aim is to improve attendance, reduce absenteeism-related costs, and embed long-term change across the organisation.

About the Role:

We are looking for a highly experienced HR professional with significant expertise in absence management and a proven track record of leading or contributing to HR projects.

As the Project Lead, you will:

Be the key figure within the HRBP service responsible for driving the absence management project forward.

Lead on the design, development and delivery of the project's strategic action plan.

Work closely with HRBPs, senior leaders, service managers and trade unions to implement sustainable attendance improvements across key service areas.

Use data insight to target interventions and ensure measurable impact aligned to organisational goals.

You will play a hands-on role in both the strategy and the delivery - developing the plan and leading its implementation across the organisation.

What We're Looking For:

Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional HR credentials, with evidence of continuous professional development.

Extensive HR experience, particularly in absence management and complex casework.

Demonstrable experience of leading or delivering projects, preferably in a public sector or unionised environment.

Strong knowledge of UK employment law, ACAS Codes and HR policy frameworks.

Skilled in using HR data and analytics to inform decision-making and track progress.

Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills - able to influence and lead at all levels.

Ability to plan and manage work at pace, meeting deadlines with resilience and flexibility.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Leading the absence management project from within the HRBP Team - designing, developing and delivering a detailed action plan.

Collaborating with key stakeholders to drive forward targeted interventions where absence exceeds Council targets.

Analysing HR data to identify trends and evaluate the impact of project actions.

Reporting regularly to the Programme Management Office and Transformation Programme Board.

Supporting, coaching and advising managers on policy implementation and best practice absence management.

Leading communication and engagement efforts with managers, employees and trade unions.

Ensuring the sustainability of improved attendance through policy, systems and cultural change.

Contributing to the wider HR and transformation agenda within the Council.

Why Join Us?

This is a fantastic opportunity to take a leadership role in shaping the future of attendance management at Halton Borough Council. You'll lead a significant change project within a supportive HRBP team, helping to build a healthier, more resilient workforce.

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