Job Description

Senior HR Business Partner (Maternity Contract)

Overview

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Senior HR Business Partner to provide high-level HR support to business leaders and drive people initiatives across the organisation. Reporting to the Head of HR, the successful candidate will partner closely with senior management to align workforce strategies with business objectives, support organisational change, and deliver initiatives that enhance employee engagement, performance, and organisational effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic HR Partnership

• Partner with business leaders to develop and implement HR strategies that support organisational goals and business performance.
• Provide expert advice on workforce planning, talent management, succession planning, and organisational development.
• Support leaders in the successful delivery of organisational change initiatives.
• Act as a trusted advisor on complex employee relations, performance management, and employee engagement matters.
• Identify opportunities to improve business performance through effective people strategies and HR initiatives.

Employee Relations and Performance Management

• Lead and manage complex employee relations cases, including investigations, grievances, disciplinary matters, and performance issues.
• Coach and support managers in performance management, employee development, and career progression.
• Ensure compliance with employment legislation, organisational policies, and HR best practice.
• Promote a culture of fairness, accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

Talent Development and Employee Engagement

• Work with Learning and Development to identify capability gaps and support targeted development programmes.
• Drive initiatives that enhance employee engagement, wellbeing, diversity, inclusion, and retention.
• Support leadership development through coaching, mentoring, and succession planning.
• Facilitate talent review and workforce planning activities.

HR Analytics and Continuous Improvement

• Provide workforce insights and HR analytics to support strategic decision-making.
• Monitor key HR metrics, including turnover, engagement, absence, and performance, identifying trends and recommending improvements.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of HR policies, procedures, systems, and process improvements.
• Keep up to date with employment legislation, industry trends, and HR best practice to ensure continuous improvement.

Stakeholder Management

• Develop strong working relationships with senior leaders, managers, employees, and HR colleagues.
• Collaborate with Recruitment, HR Operations, Learning and Development, and Reward teams to deliver integrated HR solutions.
• Support organisational projects, change programmes, and wider people initiatives as required.
• Promote a positive, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture.

Experience

• Extensive HR experience in a business partnering or senior HR advisory role within a large, multi-site, or complex organisation.
• Proven ability to build trusted relationships and influence senior stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation, employee relations, and HR best practice.
• Experience in organisational development, change management, workforce planning, and talent management.
• Excellent communication, coaching, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with experience using HR data to inform business decisions.
• Experience within construction, engineering, manufacturing, or other project-based environments is advantageous.

Qualifications

• Degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related discipline.
• CIPD qualification or equivalent professional accreditation is desirable.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development.