Recruitment Pack

Appointment of

Head of Human Resources

Cartrefi Conwy

A Copy of the Media Advertisement

Organisational Structure

Job Description and Person Specification

The Benefits

How to Apply

Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form *(Word version available to download)

*available to download from www.emaconsult.co.uk

Head of Human Resources

About the Role

Other Important Documentation

Head of Human Resources - Temp for 14months Salary Circa £55k, but more may be available for an exceptional candidate Cartrefi Conwy is a 'Registered Social Landlord' with over 3,700 properties throughout the county of Conwy in North Wales. The organisation is committed to the growth and improvement of the areas it serves by being creative and dynamic with a pledge to its customers, creating communities to be proud of. The role The current postholder will be taking maternity leave from January 2016 and we require a Head of HR from mid-January. We are looking for a qualified HR professional, who will have responsibility for developing and review Human Resource Strategies supporting the delivery of the Business Plan, ensuring the HR function has clear direction and vision. You will also plan and oversee the organisations training delivery, health & safety and payroll services. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team you will have a visible role in providing sound and creative professional advice to the SLT/Organisation on all areas relating to Human Resources. You will have a wide range of strategic and operational HR skills, business focus and experience of managing a HR function. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are a must, together with the ability to lead on employee engagement and involvement initiatives. For an informal discussion about this post please contact our retained consultant Ian Robertson at EMA or for a copy of the briefing papers please call 01926 831467 or email responsehandling1@emaconsult.co.uk or visit www.emaconsult.co.uk quoting reference number EMA269. No agencies please. Closing date: 12noon, Friday 27th November 2015

Chief Executive

Director of Finance

Head of Finance

Head of Governance

Head of Human

Resources

Director of Operations

Head of ITHead of Landlord Services

Head of Building

Maintenance

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Head of Human Resources REPORTS TO: Chief Executive DIRECT REPORTS: HR Manager, H&S Advisor, H&S Inspections and Compliance Officer HR & H&S Administrator TEAM: Senior Management Team & Human Resources LOCATION: Abergele SALARY DETAILS: Pay scale E PURPOSE To be responsible for the development and implementation of effective Human Resource & Health & Safety strategies and services for Cartrefi Conwy and its subsidiaries which support and drive the businesses to meet their strategic objectives through best practice. DIMENSIONS (Scale & Diversity) Circa 195 employees with an approximate employee cost of £4.5million pa across two companies. Employees based in 3 main office locations, with approx 18 satellite sites and covering employees who work throughout the County of Conwy (dispersed workforce). Providing regular employment advice to circa 24 managers. Budget responsibilities: £720,000 pa MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES Develop and review Human Resource Strategies which support the delivery of the Business Plan, ensuring the HR function has clear direction and vision and informing the planning of operational activities to support the delivery of the organisations services effectively. Plan and oversee the review of training needs and advise on appropriate and effective methods to develop required skills. Design and deliver bespoke training programmes or source and select appropriate training providers to ensure that the organisation has the appropriate skills, knowledge and experience to deliver its current and future objectives. Review and monitor payroll services, overseeing and authorising amendments to payroll in a timely manner to ensure the delivery of contractual arrangements for pay and the reimbursement of employee expenses are met. Develop and implement appropriate recruitment interventions to ensure Cartrefi Conwy is able to attract and recruit in a timely manner, appropriately skilled and quality employees to deliver its strategic objectives and which contribute towards a positive employer brand.

Review the organisations establishment in line with current and future needs of the business ensuring that any changes to the organisation structure are affordable and that legal considerations and best practice solutions are implemented, advising management on matters relating to redundancy, TUPE transfer and restructuring. Direct and monitor the implementation of effective practices for the health, safety and welfare of employees or of others who may be affected by the activities of Cartrefi Conwy and its subsidiaries. Oversee the H&S action plan, ensuring health and safety information is collated and analysed in order to meet statutory obligations, minimise claims against the association and promote a safe and healthy place to work or live. Oversee and coordinate a programme of human resource policy review and development to ensure that Cartrefi Conwy’s employment practices meet current legislative requirements and apply best practices to support the Association’s objectives. Coordinate consultation on proposed changes and communication on agreed amendments or new policies to all employees to facilitate understanding and consistency in their application. Prepare an annual budget bid for the human resource function, monitoring and controlling the agreed spend on the human resources budget, negotiating with suppliers on costs and terms of payment and ensuring these commitments are met by authorising spend and invoices to ensure that the human resources operational plan has the resources to be delivered in a timely manner. Establish and maintain effective consultative mechanisms with nominated employee representatives and recognised trade unions, encouraging employee participation at all levels across the Association to maximise the association’s human capital and support the delivery of improved services to tenants, through smooth transitions during organisational change. Implement terms and conditions of employment for employees (pay reviews etc) in order to meet contractual obligations, reviewing and proposing amendments to the mechanisms for employee reward and recognition in order to support greater engagement, exceptional performance and value for money. Ensuring reward and recognition processes are fair, transparent and consistently applied and that they contribute to a positive employer brand. Lead, motivate and develop the Human Resources Team so that they perform to a consistently high standard, realising their potential and deliver a high-quality service to Cartrefi Conwy, providing advice and guidance to empower managers and establishing a strong performance management culture. As a member of the Senior Management Team contribute to business planning, risk management and corporate policy. Develop and maintain credible and productive relationships with stakeholders (Trade Unions, tenants, consultants/ funding providers etc) supporting and participating in relevant working groups or events (such as estate walkabouts, tenant conferences, recruitment and information days, Local Service Boards) to ensure that Cartrefi Conwy is viewed positively in the external environment and that the organisation is able to access and benefit from external networks.

Create, implement and maintain systems to monitor and manage performance within the HR function. Analysing performance and taking action to ensure improvements to embed a culture of high performance within the HR team. Produce or ensure timely updates and reports to ELT, the Board, committees, and Joint Consultative Forum on performance and delivery against agreed targets.

CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITIES To actively support the overall delivery of Cartrefi Conwy’s objectives to provide an excellent, innovative and truly customer focused service. To contribute to community involvement and tenant participation activities as required.

As a representative of Cartrefi Conwy, to, promote and maintain a positive attitude and image at all times. To positively promote Cartrefi Conwy’s values; constructively challenging traditional ways of working, contrary behaviour or comments. To ensure feedback is actively sought in order to inform service improvement for customers and develop more efficient and effective ways of working. To ensure compliance with Cartrefi Conwy’s Standing Orders, policies and procedures, standards of probity relating to the organisation’s charitable status and Welsh Assembly Government Regulation. To support the development, review and implementation of policies and procedures, in particular of:

o Health, safety and welfare initiatives

o The associations principles on Equality and Diversity

o Risk management initiatives

o Performance management practices To utilise ICT technology and systems effectively by developing appropriate skills, adopting efficient business processes, and maintaining data securely and accurately. To work collaboratively in cross functional working groups where required. WORK CONTEXT (environment, type of equipment) Predominantly this role is office based. With the requirement to attend public/ community events and meetings, which may take place outside of normal working hours. The role provides support to a dispersed workforce or remote managers and employees (throughout the County of Conwy) and there is a requirement to travel both locally and (less frequently) nationally. AUTONOMY AND DECISION-MAKING (limits and freedoms) The post is expected to operate with considerable freedom to deal with all human resource matters relating to the organisation. The post is guided by a range of legislation and regulations and is expected to identify and propose policies and procedures to ensure ongoing compliance with these. Examples of the decisions the post can take are:

o Issue of legally binding contracts of employment (within agreed establishment)

o Organisation and allocation of workload.

o Develop employment policies, plans and functional procedures for approval by the Board/ Management Team/ Joint Consultative Forum.

o Exercise judgement in interpreting employment legislation.

Examples of decisions that are referred are:

o Approval of policies and strategic plans

o Expenditure above agreed limits. (Individual transactions in excess of £25,000) Performance objectives are agreed with the Chief Executive and performance is subject to review under the agreed performance review process. COMMUNICATIONS (the main communications that take place. frequency, purpose and method) INTERNAL Members of the Executive Leadership Team on a weekly basis to review activities etc. Members of the Senior Management Team on a daily basis to review a range of issues such as Finance, Governance and IT, etc. Board members as and when required at Board and committee meetings and to provide advice and information as necessary on employment matters (monthly). Employees and line managers daily to provide advice and guidance on a range of employment related queries. EXTERNAL Employment Solicitors to secure legal opinion and advice (monthly). Peers etc several times each year for general networking, sharing of best practice. Trade Union Officials (monthly). Consultants/ employment agencies/ training and educational establishments (weekly). AREAS OF COMPLEXITY (what provides most stretch) The legislative environment (WA, Employment legislation, H&S Legislation) creates scope for interpretation depending on the circumstances of any case. This presents a variety of potential courses of action and a requirement to balance the likely risks against ever developing case law in order to advise managers on employment issues. Interaction between employees, trade unions and the organisations creates difficulties in managing employing relations as employee objectives are not always aligned with the objectives of Cartrefi Conwy and its subsidiaries Subsidiary companies with different objectives and employment terms can create an additional layer of complexity as practices, procedures and strategies are likely to be different for different companies within the same group, this can provide some stretch to managing employee relations matters within a group structure.

Person Specification Head of Human Resources

The Head of Human Resources will have and drive high standards; setting stretching objectives and developing strategies that promote a customer focused, performance driven culture. Confident, enthusiastic and inspiring, this person will be an excellent coordinator and influencer; able to motivate and generate action from others. They will overcome challenges and demonstrate optimum levels of leadership, showing flexibility in approach and adaptability to changing situations. ACADEMIC /PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS Essential / Desirable How this will be assessed Degree qualified or equivalent Desirable Application/ Certification Relevant professional qualification, e.g. CIPD or equivalent experience Essential Application/ Certification

Relevant H&S Qualification e.g. IOSH managing safely / NEBOSH or equivalent experience Essential Application/ Certification

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE Experience of developing and delivering HR Strategies including Recruitment/ Learning & Development/ Remuneration/ People Management/ Human Resource Planning/ Communication & Involvement)

Essential Application/Interview

Up to date knowledge of UK employment legislation (including TUPE) Essential Application/ Interview

Experience of working in a unionised environment Desirable Application/ Interview Experience of developing the use of HR systems Desirable Application/ Interview Experience of working in the Housing Sector Desirable Application/ Interview Previous experience managing a H&S function Desirable Application/ Interview

SKILLS Project Management, Planning and coordination Essential Application/ Interview Budget Management Essential Application/ Interview Microsoft Office; Word, Outlook, Basic user level Essential Ability Test Ability to drive* Desirable Application/ Certification CARTREFI COMPETENCIES Serving Customers – ensures processes and resources are available and that service is in line with strategic direction, focusing activities on those with the greatest benefit to the customer.

Essential Interview

Collaborating- resolves conflicts to make sure objectives are achieved and takes advantage of opportunities to work collaboratively.

Essential Interview

Decision Making – Analyses and interprets complex information in order to make strategic decisions that drive the organisation forward.

Essential Interview/ Presentation

Improving- Creates processes that allow others to be creative and sets benchmarks; reviews processes, progress and work Essential Interview

Communicating – Effectively influences others whilst maintaining positive working relationships. Delivers complex information in a clear and engaging way (report writing and presentation skills).

Essential Interview/ Presentation

Leading – Energises others to generate support for change, ensures stakeholders understand and feel part of the vision, proactively publicises progress.

Essential Interview/ Presentation

Delivering Results – Achieves agreed targets and ensures processes are integrated and focused on areas that drive the organisation forward.

Essential Interview

Cartrefi Conwy are committed to Equality and Diversity in our activities * Where disability precludes, this will be reviewed with candidates at interview stage to ascertain if there are any reasonable adjustments that can be made to this requirement.

A Career with Cartrefi Conwy

The Benefits!

At Cartrefi Conwy our aim is to be an ‘employer of choice’. Investing

in our people is just one of the ways we show this and by providing

all our colleagues with an exciting, friendly and supportive place to

work.

We want enthusiastic and committed people who work for us and go

that extra mile to give our customers great service. We also want

our colleagues to be flexible, innovative and take on responsibility

to make sure we are the best we can be.

In return we offer competitive salaries, excellent learning and

personal development opportunities on top of a great range of other

fantastic benefits…

Interested? Take a look; we hope you’ll like what you see and want

to join our team…

TThhee GGrraassss iiss GGrreeeenneerr…… Cartrefi Conwy’s new build BREAAM excellent standard Head Office

is located on the beautiful North Wales Coast line (and includes

including sea views!). It is accessible by the A55 expressway and

just three quarters of an hour from the historic and bustling city of

Chester, nestled next to the Snowdonia National Park; playground

for those that love the action of the outdoors or just some peace

and quiet.

North Wales has a lot to offer

with great surfing, climbing,

walking, cycling, sailing,

kayaking, and windsurfing

amongst its top outdoor

activities all set to a backdrop of

rolling countryside, world

heritage sites and popular seaside towns.

Quickly becoming known for its calendar of food, cultural and arts

events, there’s something for most people in North Wales and with

the average house price in Wales being £119,263 in comparison to

the average in England and Wales of £179,4921 it can be an

attractive place to live for more than one reason.

CCuurrrreenntt BBeenneeffiittss……

Apart from a competitive salary we’ve a whole host of benefits that

our colleagues enjoy as a reward for their efforts… 1 Source: Land registry house price index January 2015, released 27/02/2015

AAnnnnuuaall LLeeaavvee You’ll have 30 days leave a year and the possibility of 3 more concessionary days if granted over the Christmas period. (This includes statutory holidays).

LLeeaavvee CCaarrrryy OOvveerr You can carry over 5 days leave

to the next holiday year for

some specific event as long as

you take the statutory

minimum.

LLeeaarrnniinngg &&

DDeevveellooppmmeenntt We are committed to colleague development and offer extensive training to support you to do your role or progress into other roles as well as sponsorship for formal and professional qualifications

through our Cartrefi @ College

scheme. Our Business language is English, but as we’re a welsh Company we’re also keen to support the development of Welsh Language skills for colleagues who want to learn.

PPeennssiioonn We offer a defined benefit pension schemes or if you prefer a defined contribution scheme (currently LGPS or SHPS schemes).

PPeerrssoonnaall

ddeevveellooppmmeenntt ggrraannttss In addition to work based learning we offer grants for other personal development activities on an annual basis.

FFaammiillyy FFrriieennddllyy

PPoolliicciieess We offer a range of enhanced family friendly policies to assist you in balancing home and work commitments.

OOccccuuppaattiioonnaall HHeeaalltthh

SSeerrvviicceess

We use an independent and confidential occupational health service to support colleagues whilst in work and/or returning to work following ill health.

EEnnhhaanncceedd SSiicckk PPaayy We pay occupational sick pay for up to 6 months full pay and 6 months ½ pay (depending on your length of service).

CCaarr MMiilleeaaggee If you need to use your car for business, we offer generous mileage rates. You’ll only pay tax on the amount over the HMRC rates.

DDiissccoouunntteedd GGyymm

MMeemmbbeerrsshhiipp We offer subsidised gym membership at Conwy County leisure centres or at a range of private Gyms in the area through your Simply Health Plan.

TTeeaamm BBuuiillddiinngg We work as one team and we offer all colleagues the opportunity to take part in fun team building days.

RReeffrreesshhmmeennttss aatt

wwoorrkk We provide free tea, coffee and milk all day in all our offices.

PPrrooffeessssiioonnaall

ssuubbssccrriippttiioonnss We will pay for one professional work related membership fee each year.

FFuunn DDaayy Each summer colleagues get to take part in this fantastic event

for a tenant, which has proven to be fun for all.

CChhrriissttmmaass PPaarrttyy

The Board annually review performance and reward colleagues with a free Christmas party to celebrate the achievements in the year if we’re doing well.

IInntteerrnneett && ee--mmaaiill All computer users have access to the internet and email. You can use these for personal activities outside working hours to view authorised web sites.

CChhiillddccaarree VVoouucchheerrss A childcare voucher provides tax

savings for employees who have

to pay for child care.

MMoobbiillee pphhoonneess

We provide a mobile phone for many roles, which you can use for personal calls, within agreed limits. PPrrootteeccttiivvee CCllootthhiinngg

&& EEqquuiippmmeenntt You’ll be provided any necessary protective clothing or equipment for your role, including uniforms, IT and communication equipment wherever needed.

RReellooccaattiioonn PPaacckkaaggee We’ll provide you with up to £8,000 tax free assistance if you need to permanently relocate to work for Cartrefi Conwy.

CCyyccllee ttoo wwoorrkk Our Cycle to work scheme gives

colleagues access to a tax

efficient way to buy a bike, and

pay it off each month through

your salary.

SSeelllliinngg HHoolliiddaayyss You can request to ‘sell’ any

unused holidays (up to 5 days) as

long as you take the statutory

minimum. (Currently 28 days for

someone working 5 days a week).

HHeeaalltthh CCaarree CCaasshh

PPllaann You’ll have access to a range of

health care benefits through our

scheme currently provided by:

More details are included about this benefit.

DDiissccoouunntteedd ssppeennddiinngg

ccaarrdd Until April 2016 you’ll have access

to a discount card through

which offers

discounts on a huge range of

entertainment, retail, holiday and

services (such as AA discounts

with the AA etc) (this will be

reviewed depending on the

popularity and feedback on other

benefits that colleagues provide.

How to Apply – Head of Human Resources Thank you for expressing an interest in the position of Head of Human Resources at Cartrefi Conwy. If you have read the candidate briefing papers and you would like to apply, please follow the guidelines below.

Application Process

Please submit an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV) and covering letter, ensuring that you quote reference EMA269.

It is important that your CV highlights supporting evidence of how your previous experience and skills relate to the criteria outlined in the job description and person specification. Within your CV, please supply the following:

• Full name and postal address; • Work and home telephone number, mobile number and email address (NB most

written communication with you will be electronic); • National Insurance number; • Confirmation that you are a full current driving licence holder (with details of

‘live’ motoring convictions); • Employment history (explaining any gaps); • Education and dates your qualifications were obtained; • Current Memberships of relevant professional associations/Institutes and dates;

Your covering letter should be used to convey why you are attracted to this role and what specifically you envisage you will control and therefore what areas of change you consider this post holder will be involved in. The covering letter is considered an important aspect of your application and will be used to assess your motivation for the role.

We also request that you complete an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form which is included in this pack and available to download from our website (www.emaconsult.co.uk/recruitment).

The timetable for the Selection Process is included below. In your supporting letter, please advise us if you have any difficultly with the outlined dates and/or any other dates when you are unavailable for assessment. We try to offer flexibility but it can be difficult to convene the selection panel outside the advertised selection dates due to diary commitments.

Please return your application by 12 noon on Friday 27th November (electronic submissions preferred) to our retained consultants at EMA Business and Management Consultancy Limited (EMA) to responsehandling1@emaconsult.co.uk. Your application will be treated with strictest confidence.

If you wish to send a hard-copy by post, the full address is as follows:

EMA Business and Management Consultancy Limited 13 Dormer Place Leamington Spa Warwickshire CV32 5AA

Assessment and Selection Process

All applications will be considered and assessed against the requirements of the Person Specification in order to select an initial long list of candidates. If you have been successful at this stage EMA will contact you via telephone/email immediately following the initial longlisting meeting with Cartrefi Conwy.

Timetable

The information outlined below has been agreed with Cartrefi Conwy:

Process Date

Advertised Closing Date for Applications 12 noon – Friday 27th November 2015

Interviews 2nd December and/or 16th December 2015

Suggested Start Date 11th January 2016

*If you are invited for interview , you w ill be asked to bring along evidence of your professional qualifications as described on your CV.

Contact Details

If you have any queries about the position or the selection process; or if you would like an informal and confidential discussion with our consultant, please do not hesitate to contact Ian Robertson at EMA on 01926 887272.

Equality and Diversity monitoring Updated November 2007

Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form

Position applied for: _________________________________________________

Name: We request the information below for monitoring purposes only. All information provided will be kept confidential and will be separated from your application. We have asked for your name to enable us to monitor applications at shortlist and appointment as well as application stage. Thank you for your assistance. GENDER: Male Female

Date of Birth: MARITAL STATUS: Married Single Other

ETHNIC ORIGIN: Please tick the box next to the words that best describe you: Black Asian/SE Asian Black African/Caribbean Black British/European/Other White British/European/Other White Irish Mixed Other

We welcome applications from people with a disability. Applicants who have a disability and who meet the criteria for the job are guaranteed an interview. Do you consider yourself to have a disability? Yes No Please indicate if there is anything we need to do to assist in your recruitment: ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………… Data protection: Information from this application may be processed for purposes registered by the employer under the Data Protection Act 1998. I hereby give my consent to Central Borders Group processing the data supplied in this form for the purpose of recruitment and selection. Applicant's signature:…………………………… Date: ………………………………………..