Job Vacancy

Midlothian

Midlothian Council is seeking to appoint an experienced and dynamic Service Leader – People & Culture to provide strategic leadership for the organisation’s workforce, culture and people services. Reporting to the Chief Officer – Corporate Solutions and working closely with the Chief Executive and Corporate Management Team, this role will be central to shaping an engaged, high-performing organisation capable of delivering the Council’s long-term ambitions.

The People & Culture service plays a central enabling role in achieving these ambitions, supporting workforce capability, leadership development and organisational transformation across the Council.

This is a significant leadership opportunity for an experienced HR professional who can operate confidently at corporate level while leading a proactive People & Culture service that drives culture, capability and continuous improvement.

The Service Leader – People & Culture will lead the Council’s integrated HR function, ensuring delivery of workforce strategies, people policies and organisational development that support corporate priorities and statutory responsibilities.

Acting as the Council’s lead HR professional and a key member of the Corporate Management Team, the postholder will contribute directly to organisation-wide strategy, decision-making and cultural development. This is a highly visible leadership role requiring a collaborative and engaging leader who can work across senior leaders, trade unions and external partners to support workforce transformation.

To Apply

Midlothian Council has partnered with Aspen to lead the recruitment of the Service Leader – People and Culture.

All information for the post, including how to apply, is accessible through the microsite: Midlothian Council - Aspen People

Closing Date: Friday 29th May 2026

Assessment Centre: Thursday 25th June 2026

Job Advert

Post Title: Service Leader – People and Culture

Directorate: Place

Grade: 12

Salary: £71,476.16 - £78,219.91

Location: Fairfield House/Hybrid.

Hours of Duty: The contracted hours are 36 hours per week. However, the postholder will be expected to work the hours required to fulfil the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Contract Status: Permanent

Working Weeks: 52

Please note that it is Midlothian Councils policy that successful applicants will be appointed to the first point on the salary scale.

Based on 36 hours over 52 weeks per year, the minimum actual salary for this position is £71,476.16 per annum.

Requirements

Compliance with the mandatory Cabinet Office PSN (Public Sector Network) Code of Connection requires the Council to meet a baseline personal security standard. This requires completion of a disclosure check for all employees who can access official information. The fee for this PSN Disclosure check will be met by you.

Please note that Disclosure Scotland has changed the way certificates are issued. You will be notified by email from Disclosure Scotland that your certificate is available to view. Once you have viewed your certificate you will be allowed to share this with your employer and it is only available for 14 days from the first day you have viewed the certificate. If you do not grant access to Midlothian Council to view before access is removed, a further application will need to be generated, and this will incur an additional cost.

Additional Information

If you have difficulty applying for this post or accessing attached documents, or if you have a disability and reasonable adjustment is required, please email recruitment@midlothian.gov.uk to discuss with member of the Recruitment Team stating the post reference number.

Midlothian Council is currently undergoing a period of transformation, changing and improving the way it delivers services in Midlothian. As a consequence, there are a number of existing employees for whom we are committed to seeking suitable alternative employment within the Council in accordance with our legal obligations. Candidates are advised that, for some vacancies, internal candidates in this situation will be interviewed before the wider selection pool and a slightly longer delay may be experienced before application outcomes can be advised to you. Thank you for your patience in this matter.

If you are a trainee of a Midlothian Council Training Programme, have a disability or you are a care experienced young person who has previously been a looked after child, you are eligible for a guaranteed interview if you meet the essential criteria for the post.

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