Talent & Careers Advisor

Overview

We have an exciting opportunity within our Talent OD and Learning Team for a forward-thinking Talent and Careers Advisor to support the delivery of our Horizons Programme and wider early careers activity across the Council. This role plays an important part in helping people access opportunities, develop their skills and progress into sustainable employment.

The role will predominantly support the Horizons Programme, coaching and working with a new cohort of candidates to help them build confidence, develop employability skills and secure long-term employment outcomes.

To find out more about the Horizons Programme, please visit: New ways of recruiting to reduce barriers to employment (Horizons Programme) - BucksNet. You can also review our latest evaluation report here: https://buckinghamshire.pagetiger.com/Confident-Futures

Alongside this core focus, you may also contribute to a wider portfolio of talent and careers activity, including work experience, apprenticeships, the Talent Register and other projects such as redeployment support, helping us attract, retain and develop talent across the workforce.

This is a fixed term/secondment role until the end of March 2027.

About us

Our HR & OD Service is at the heart of the Council’s mission to deliver outstanding services to our communities. We work in partnership across the organisation to build capability, support our people and create a culture where individuals and teams can thrive. We are committed to:

• Building a culture of adaptability, collaboration, and innovation
• Leveraging data and AI to inform our decisions and interventions
• Supporting our people to perform at their best and develop their potential
• Upholding the values of being Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative, and Trustworthy

As part of the wider strategic people partner team, you’ll work alongside passionate colleagues who are committed to delivering high-quality support, building strong relationships and making a positive difference for our workforce and communities.

About the role

In this role, you will:

• Predominantly support the delivery of the Horizons Programme and wider early careers initiatives across the Council.
• Provide high-quality coaching, advice and practical support to trainees, candidates, employees and managers involved in Horizons, work experience and apprenticeship activity.
• Coordinate recruitment and onboarding activity for the Horizons Programme, including adverts, applications, candidate communications and progress tracking.
• Support programme participants through 1:1 meetings, workshops, drop-in sessions and other employability activity designed to build confidence and skills.
• Act as a first point of contact for talent and early careers queries, responding directly where appropriate and escalating when needed.
• Build effective relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners, including schools, colleges, universities, referral partners and other organisations.
• Help coordinate apprenticeship and work experience activity, including tracking starts, supporting related administration and responding to enquiries.
• Monitor programme activity, maintain accurate data and reporting, gather feedback and use insights to recommend improvements.
• Contribute to the planning, promotion and delivery of events, communications and resources that raise awareness of Horizons and early careers opportunities.
• Where required, contribute to wider talent and careers projects such as redeployment support, skills matching and internal career development activity.
• Work collaboratively across the HR & OD service to improve processes, share best practice and contribute to a positive one-team approach.

Please refer to the attached job summary for full details of the role and person specification.

About you

For further information on this role please see the attached job summary.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

Other information

Other information

This role is based on a hybrid working arrangement, with 1–2 days per week in the Walton Street or Gateway offices, alongside travel to remote Communities service sites as required by stakeholder needs.

Number of positions available: 1

Our values

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

We recognise and reward you

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/