Group HR Business Partner

Acorn Training Ltd; Hanley Swan; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company seeks an HR Business Partner to enhance the HR function and implement impactful people strategies. This pivotal role involves managing employee relations, fostering an inclusive culture, and providing strategic guidance to improve performance and engagement. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in HR business partnering within complex environments, supported by necessary qualifications.

Qualifications

• Significant HR experience in a business partnering role.
• Proven experience managing change and organisational development projects.
• Strong background in employee relations and UK employment law.

Responsibilities

• Act as a strategic HR partner providing support to senior leaders.
• Lead the HR team, fostering a culture of continuous learning.
• Drive forward the Group’s People Strategy and engagement initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem Solving

Relationship-Building

Education

CIPD Level 7 or equivalent

Level 2 IT Qualification

Degree level qualification

Job description

Department: HR

Location: Hybrid

Compensation: £35,000 - £41,000 / year

Description

Please note the role is 22.5 - 37.5 hours. Salary will be pro-rata

We reserve the right to close this advertisement at any time if we receive suitable applications for the role.

To partner with teams, managers, and the Executive Management Team (EMT) to strengthen organisational capability, embed a positive people culture, and shape and implement impactful people strategies. The role is pivotal in creating a high-performance, inclusive and well-led environment, improving employee engagement and wellbeing while enabling business objectives.

This role will also lead on enhancing the HR function, developing services and systems that are proactive, innovative, and truly valued across the business.


Key Responsibilities and Key Performance Indicators

• Act as a strategic HR partner across the Group, providing professional support, coaching and challenge to senior leaders, people managers, and teams.
• Lead and inspire the HR team, creating a culture of continuous learning, empowerment, and collaborative working.
• Deliver the Group’s People Strategy, driving forward workstreams in areas such as leadership capability, talent development, workforce planning and engagement.
• Champion and embed a strong culture that prioritises colleague wellbeing, recognition, inclusion and positive behaviour.
• Provide timely and insightful HR data and analysis, including monthly MI reports, to the EMT to inform decision making and performance tracking.
• Take the lead on strategic HR projects including TUPE transfers, change management and cultural transformation.
• Continuously review and refine HR processes to ensure they support employee efficiency and experience.
• Build line manager capability through training, coaching and tools on performance management, employee relations, wellbeing and engagement.
• Manage complex employee relations matters effectively and sensitively, ensuring compliance with UK employment law and best practice.
• Drive consistency and compliance by embedding and maintaining effective HR policies, procedures, and documentation.
• Lead on health and wellbeing initiatives to ensure Acorn is a supportive and safe place to work.
• Play an active role in supporting Acorn’s values-led culture, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion statement, and Information Security and Quality priorities.

Key Performance Indicators

• Positive trends in employee engagement and wellbeing metrics
• Leadership capability improvements through 1-2-1s and development activity
• MI and HR insight provided to EMT accurately and on time
• Compliance with employment legislation and internal HR processes
• Positive outcomes in ER casework, demonstrating resolution and support
• Implementation of people strategies and cultural initiatives
  
  
  
  

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

Qualifications and specific training

• CIPD Level 7 or equivalent (essential)
• Level 2 IT Qualification (essential)
• Level 5 management qualification (desirable)
• Degree level qualification (desirable)
  

Experience

• Significant HR experience in a business partnering role across complex environments (essential)
• Proven experience managing change and organisational development projects (essential)
• Strong background in employee relations and UK employment law (essential)
• TUPE transfer experience (desirable)
• Experience within education, employability, or skills sectors (desirable)
  

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong leadership and people management skills (essential)
• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills (essential)
• Skilled in presenting data and insight to drive decisions (essential)
• Capable of managing sensitive/confidential information with integrity (essential)
• Strong problem-solving, time management and initiative (essential)
• Full driving licence (essential)
  

We welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, ethnic or social origin, religion, belief, or sexual orientation. In addition, during the various stages of recruitment, reasonable adjustments can be taken to ensure equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities or special needs.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy

Please get in contact with [e-mail] to discuss alternative options you may require, or alternative application methods