Senior Human Resources Business Partner

TN United Kingdom; Derby; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Senior HR Business Partner to enhance performance by addressing people-related needs. The role involves collaborating with senior leaders, implementing HR strategies, and fostering a high-performance culture. Ideal candidates will have strong business acumen, coaching experience, and a CIPD qualification.

Qualifications

• Experience partnering with senior leaders to improve people management.
• Proven ability to operate in complex environments and manage change programs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the HR Strategy/People Plan to support business objectives.
• Lead change programmes and champion HR solutions.
• Manage trade union relationships collaboratively.

Skills

Business Acumen

Coaching

Communication

Negotiation

Influencing

Education

CIPD qualification

Graduate calibre

Job description

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Client:

Network Rail

Location:

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

b88893f42c33

Job Views:

3

Posted:

17.05.2025

Expiry Date:

01.07.2025

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Job Description:

Brief Description:

The Senior HR Business Partner will play a pivotal role as a trusted partner to the route’s senior leadership team, proactively identifying and addressing the people-related needs of the business to enhance overall performance. In close collaboration with the wider HR function, the Senior HRBP will drive the implementation of the People Plan and HR strategy, aligning them with the route's strategic goals.

Key responsibilities include leading workstreams such as talent and succession planning, employee relations, performance management, employee engagement, and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI). The Senior HRBP will also lead HR projects aligned with business priorities, coach senior and mid-level leaders, and foster a high-performance culture.

The role involves developing and mentoring the HR Business Partner team, promoting collaboration, and building capability within the team to support strategic HR initiatives. A focus is also placed on elevating the people management skills of line managers, promoting accountability and leadership effectiveness. The Senior HRBP may deputise for the Head of HR as needed, taking on broader HR responsibilities.

This position requires a strategic, solution-focused approach, leveraging commercial insight and resilience to address operational and long-term people challenges, influencing at all levels to deliver measurable business impact.

About the role (External):

Key Accountabilities:

1. Develop, drive, and implement the HR Strategy/People Plan to support business objectives and foster a high-performance culture.
2. Build strong relationships with senior leaders and stakeholders, providing coaching, advice, and co-developing people initiatives.
3. Lead change programmes, champion HR solutions, and gain stakeholder acceptance.
4. Manage trade union relationships collaboratively with Employee Relations and HR teams.
5. Support ownership of people management by line managers and promote the HR Business Partner model.
6. Influence strategy and policy development through collaboration with Centres of Expertise and HR Shared Services.
7. Work with other HR Business Partners across the organization on cross-functional issues.

Job Skills, Experience, and Qualifications:

• Strong business acumen and understanding of business needs.
• Experience partnering with senior leaders to improve people management.
• Passionate about customer service and able to articulate achievements through business results.
• Knowledge of best practice HR solutions to promote high performance.
• Ability to establish credibility quickly.
• Experience coaching, influencing, and building relationships with senior leaders.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
• Experience in talent development and retention strategies.
• CIPD qualification or equivalent experience.
• Proven ability to operate in complex environments and manage change programs like TUPE, reorganization, redundancies.
• Graduate calibre.
• Experience working in a unionized environment, especially within Maintenance & Operations functions.
• Understanding of project management principles and complex project execution.

Key Leadership Capabilities include influencing others, creating solutions, understanding others, making things happen, and thinking flexibly.

We encourage applicants from underrepresented groups to apply, fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. If this role isn't a perfect fit, other opportunities may be available within the wider team.