People and Transformation
strength of ambition.
Welcome to People and Transformation
“The People & Transformation function is made up of a collection of services which seek to transform the council so that we can meet our future challenges, needs of our citizens, and to ensure delivery of the organisational strategy and plan.
- Our people services seek to maintain the best employee experience, underpinned by innovative technology, modern employment practice and efficient processes. Our work on our People Plan has led us to be nominated for three CIPD awards in 2021.
- Our service transformation team ensures we have a digital first approach. Our work on user research and service design has already improved many of our services and with our exciting new digital strategy, we will continue to leverage our in-house teams to re-imagine how residents’ needs can be met in a digital world.
- Our transformation delivery teams ensures that we have a robust transformation plan, that we have proper project and programme management in place and that we can get the best return on investment for our residents.
- Finally, our business support teams work alongside frontline and corporate teams to provide essential support to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the council.
I hope you find the information on working for Essex helpful and we look forward to considering your application.“
Pam Parkes, Executive Director, People and Transformation
Essex County Council is one of the largest local authorities in England. We employ over 7,500 people. The sheer diversity of services we provide – from social care to the environmental, transport to education, planning to benefits – is a source of deep pride. For our People and Transformation team, it’s the platform for an even more promising future.
-
Business Support
Our multi-skilled teams operate in two ways, Service Support Teams work alongside front-line services day to day and are an integral part of the team, and we have a Business Centre who provide essential support to the whole of the Council. We are trusted to work flexibly whilst meeting service needs.
We pride ourselves on being proactive, forward-thinking and solution focused, we streamline processes and maximise digital opportunities. In doing so, we help increase the effectiveness of Essex County Council to deliver better outcomes for the people of Essex.
If you choose to join us in Business Support you will deliver vital administration support to a range of different front line services who protect vulnerable children and adults, support schools and provide a multitude of services to the people of Essex.
Business Support is committed to supporting and developing staff to achieve their aspirations.
-
Organisation Development & Talent Management
Organisation Development & Talent Management is here to help Essex County Council and its people develop, learn and grow throughout our various services. Throughout the team, we have experts in: Learning, Leadership & Management Development and Talent Management. We also have a performance consultancy that can help deliver and design solutions to meet learning objectives, building high-performing teams. Leadership & Talent Management also helps our council through change management. All of our services underpin our overarching agenda; enabling our learning organisation.
-
People Business Partnering & Employment Practice
Business Partners and People Consultants work closely – and strategically – with Directors across the Council to provide professional HR support, advice and guidance. They make sure functions are connected to the latest changes happening throughout People and Transformation, as well as facilitating the access to other services and products.
Our Employment Practice teams helps set out what we expect of our employees and what our employees get in return e.g. Reward & Recognition as well as supporting all employees through our wellbeing approach.
-
People Insight & Technology
In People Insight & Technology we’re a multi-disciplined team delivering digital solutions throughout People and Transformation. Over the last few years we’ve ensured we have the technology in place to provide a better experience for Essex County Council Employees. We’ve worked to capture and use people data in a smarter way, and make sure that evidence is at the heart of everything People and Transformation seeks to achieve.
We’re currently embarking on an exciting, challenging and ambitious programme to modernise our enterprise resource planning systems, council-wide.
-
People Operations
Throughout People Operations, we strive to deliver HR services that are fundamental to employees’ work lives.
People Operations delivers payroll on a monthly basis, making sure everyone gets paid, as well as a People Service Centre which answers hundreds of queries every week. We also have a Resourcing team that helps managers hire the right talent as well as providing access to temporary recruitment.
Our People Operations teams are focused on continuous improvement and are currently working on the Council’s Employee Value Proposition.
-
Service Transformation
The Service Transformation team finds simple solutions for complex problems across Essex County Council. We do this through designing ways of working and processes, engaging with service users through user research, helping to develop digital skills and knowledge across the council and through building digital solutions.
We lead on the development of user-centred services for the residents and businesses of Essex whilst our Continuous Improvement team drives forward value and efficiencies across Essex County Council, using Lean Six Sigma and other business analysis techniques. Our passionate and dedicated team is committed to using the Government Digital Service standard, meeting people’s needs in the most efficient, appropriate and sustainable way, whether that utilises digital and technology or not.
We have made strides, but we know there is much ground still to cover, as we continue to work across organisational boundaries and exert pace to keep up with evolving needs of users and our digital landscape. Essex County Council has begun a new decade of opportunity and we are excited for the huge potential ahead as we become the best local authority in the country.
-
Transformation Delivery
Transformation Delivery is the professional home of project management within Essex County Council, and we are always keen to speak to those who are experienced in project and programme management.
The variety of transformation projects in the Council is vast, ranging from supporting our strategy in relation to the economy, the environment and the health and well-being of Essex residents. The successful delivery of such a large and complex portfolio requires excellence in the development of our people and practices. As a result of our contribution to the profession within our sector, we have been recognised by the Association for Project Management, and are finalists in their Project Management Awards, 2021.
The potential is enormous
We are fundamentally changing the way we re-imagine, shape and deliver services to our thriving county. The potential is enormous: reduced costs, increased efficiencies, better use of data and, most importantly of all, improved outcomes and better lives for the people we serve.
We also have an ambitious organisation strategy and change agenda. In short, we’ve challenged ourselves to deliver a workforce strategy that lights the blue-touch paper on strong individual and team performances across the board.
Great workforce – today and tomorrow
Our workforce strategy has four key themes:
- Creating the right conditions
- Staying ahead of the curve
- Transforming passion into impact
- Enabling growth and development.
A great sense of wellbeing
Underpinning everything is our goal to strengthen our attraction as an employer and develop a strong brand for Essex County Council. We want to be known as a diverse, desirable place to work that promotes equality. One where employees feel a personal commitment and enjoy a sense of genuine satisfaction and wellbeing. And, crucially, a workplace that offers the right opportunities for everybody to develop and grow.
Top of your game
We are looking for professionals who are at the top of their game and who are passionate about developing modern, business-focused solutions, and who are not afraid to challenge and try something new.
Mission Statement
-
United in Approach
We champion the whole of People and Transformation through understanding the contribution everyone gives. We remember the importance of supporting each other, enjoying our work and being kind. We build collaborative relations and work in partnership with each other and with the business
-
Passionate about people
Our customers: the ECC workforce and service users are the heart of what we do. We believe in the potential of everyone and help them to be their best. We anticipate and meet the diverse needs of the business and our residents.
-
Innovative in thinking
Mistakes prove we’re trying – we learn from them and don’t cast blame. We recognise that innovation isn’t always ‘big ideas’ – incremental change is essential. We continuously look to improve what we do and embrace changes.
-
Trusted to deliver
As the moral compass for the organisation we do what’s right – not what’s easy. We create a climate of psychological safety within People and Transformation and the wider organisation. We build credibility through developing relationships and demonstrating success.
Award Nominations
