Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council - Assistant Director People & Workforce Development

Assistant Director of People & Workforce Development

Salary: £98,303

Location: Tameside Council

Contract: Permanent, Full-Time (36 hours per week)

Are you an ambitious and inspiring HR leader ready to shape the future of workforce development in a council committed to improvement?

This is a unique opportunity to join Tameside Council at a pivotal point in its journey. As Assistant Director of People & Workforce Development, you will play a key role in transforming the way we support, develop and empower our people, helping to create a modern, high-performing organisation that delivers the very best for our communities.

Working as a key member of the Extended Leadership Team, you will lead the development and delivery of a refreshed People Plan, strengthen organisational capability and create a truly integrated People & Workforce function. You will champion a culture where HR and OD is a trusted strategic partner, enabling organisational performance, supporting transformation and putting people at the heart of everything we do.

This is a role for a visible, collaborative leader who is equally comfortable addressing operational challenges as they are shaping long-term organisational success. Not only is this role pivotal to the organisation, it also has a system leadership role within Greater Manchester - enabling you to work collaboratively across one of the UK's most ambitious and nationally recognised public service partnerships. There has never been a better time to join Tameside and help shape the future of both the Council and Greater Manchester.

What you'll bring

• A proven track record of strategic leadership across HR, organisational development and workforce transformation.
• Experience of leading service improvement and modernising HR into a proactive, business-focused function.
• The ability to lead organisational and cultural change, building high-performing teams and developing leadership capability.
• Strong expertise in workforce planning, employee relations and organisational effectiveness.
• The credibility to work with, and influence senior leaders, Elected Members and partners, building trusted relationships across the organisation.
• A collaborative leadership style, with the ability to unite HR and organisational development into a single, high-performing people function.

Why join us

This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact at one of the most important points in the Council's journey. You'll have the platform to reshape our People & Workforce function, embed a culture of continuous improvement and help create an organisation where our people can thrive.

If you are a strategic, inclusive and forward-thinking leader with the ambition to transform services, inspire people and drive organisational success, we would love to hear from you. 

For further information please visit: www.leadingtameside.com

Alternatively, please contact our recruitment partners at Penna:

·      Tom Niven, Researcher on 07860 657044 or email tom.niven@penna.com

·      Rachael Morris, Associate Partner on 07840 711217 or email Rachael.morris@penna.com

How to Apply

1. Upload your CV under “Please select one of the options below.”
2. Complete the short mandatory fields on the next page.
3. Use ‘Add Attachments’ to upload your Supporting Statement and any other documents.
4. Please ensure that the file name of your CV and supporting statement includes your full name.
5. Ensure both CV and Supporting Statement are uploaded before submitting your application.
6. If you have a long-term health condition or disability and would like your application to be considered in accordance with a Disability Confident Scheme, please email: execapplications@penna.com, to inform the Penna team.

Closing Date: 23:59, Sunday 6th September 2026