HR Business Partner

Overview

In this role you will act as the trusted advisor for complex employee relations issues, partnering with managers to shape fair and compliant outcomes. You will blend hands-on case management with strategic HR input to strengthen policies and management capability across multiple sites. You will resolve sensitive workplace matters, mitigate risks, and drive consistent practices aligned with UK employment law. This is a fast-paced role that offers the chance to influence transformation of HR services and workforce management.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex disciplinary, grievance, capability, conduct, performance and attendance cases from start to resolution
• Lead or support sensitive investigations with objective evidence and balanced recommendations
• Guide managers through formal meetings, hearings and appeals with clear next steps
• Advise on long-term absence, occupational health referrals, reasonable adjustments, flexible working and contractual changes
• Ensure consistency with legislation, policies and ACAS guidance; identify and mitigate emerging risks
• Build relationships with trade unions and employee representatives; support consultation activities
• Advise on collective agreements; resolve collective grievances through dialogue and escalation as needed
• Review and develop HR policies and case-management processes; promote consistent standards
• Analyse ER trends, maintain accurate records, support governance decisions
• Contribute to organisational change, restructuring and wider People projects
• Provide cross-location HR support, coaching managers, and deputising for senior HR leadership

Key requirements

• Strong ER background with experience handling sensitive, complex situations independently
• Ability to challenge practices, influence stakeholders, and balance fairness with commercial priorities
• Experience in complex, operational or multi-site environments
• CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent professional experience
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and ER best practices
• Proven experience managing investigations, disciplinary and grievance procedures, capability and absence cases
• Ability to interpret policies, assess evidence and exercise sound judgement
• Strong stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills
• Proactive approach to process improvement, risk management and management development
• Resilience to manage competing priorities with professionalism and confidentiality

• stakeholder management
• communication
• influencing
• employment legislation knowledge
• investigations management
• disciplinary and grievance procedures

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