People Advisory Consultant

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity. Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries. We connect. We inspire. The Role The People Advisory Consultant will provide expert, short-term People Function support to the rapidly growing Shared Services Centre in Noida, addressing immediate HR and employee relations priorities. The role will provide practical, risk-based advice on complex people matters, support senior stakeholders and managers, and strengthen leadership, management capability and organisational culture. The role will also assess the longer-term People Function requirements of the Shared Services Centre and provide evidence-based recommendations on the future service model, capability, capacity and resources needed. Reporting to the Head of APAC People Solutions, the consultant will work closely with SSC leadership, managers, People Function and global specialist teams to stabilise current priorities while designing sustainable support for continued growth. Main responsibilities The People Advisory Consultant will provide expert HR and employee relations advice on complex, sensitive and high-risk matters, assessing priorities, risks and required actions. The role will support managers and senior stakeholders with fair, consistent and timely solutions, ensuring alignment with organisational policies, employment requirements and risk considerations. It will also identify recurring issues, cultural and management capability gaps, and provide practical recommendations to strengthen leadership and people management. The role will assess the current and future People Function requirements of the Shared Services Centre, developing evidence-based recommendations on service model, capability, capacity, resourcing and associated costs. It will work closely with People Partners, Employee Relations, specialist teams and SSC leadership to establish priorities, clarify accountability and develop an implementation plan for sustainable support. The consultant will bring together people data, stakeholder insight and case experience to identify themes and underlying causes, translating findings into clear, prioritised actions. The role will monitor progress, highlight emerging risks and provide senior stakeholders with clear recommendations to support immediate interventions and longer-term People Function planning. Role specific skills * Employee Relations and Risk Management * Provides expert advice on complex employee relations matters. * Balances organisational, employee and legal considerations when making recommendations. * Identifies and mitigates people-related risks. * Business Acumen and Organisational Insight * Understands organisational priorities and translating people issues into practical solutions. * Assesses organisational capability, capacity and future people requirements. * Use evidence and insight to inform recommendations and decision-making. Role specific knowledge and experience Minimum/essential Experience of: * Minimum 10 years of experience in HR and Employee Relations, gained within a global organisation operating in a matrix structure. * Advising senior leaders on complex people matters. * Organisational, leadership or management capability issues and recommending solutions. * Assessing people’s resource requirements, operating models or service delivery approaches. * Influencing stakeholders and delivering outcomes in a fast-paced environment Desirable * Experience of supporting shared services or rapidly growing operations or working in a global or multinational organisation. * Knowledge of the Indian labour legislation Language Requirements * The British Council systems and global processes operate in English. Written and verbal proficiency in English is required. Education * Minimum 14 years of education, preferably with specialisation in HR Professional Qualification and Certification * Evidence of continuous professional development British Council | Pay Band 9 Location: Noida, India Department: Human Resources Contract: Fixed Term Contract for 1 year Apply by: Tuesday, October 05th 2026 (11:59 PM) Interview Date, TBD Please note that candidates must have the pre-existing, legal right to work in India at the time application. Mobility / relocation / visa sponsoring support will not be provided. British Council supports working in new ways such as hybrid working, subject to full approval by line management and conditional upon our ability to provide the appropriate level of service. This may not be appropriate for all roles but can be explored at interview. A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes, increase understanding of disability and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent. We guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities. Safeguarding Statement The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with. We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989. Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children. If you experience any difficulties with submitting your application, please email askhr@britishcouncil.org