HR Business Partner

Barnsley Healthcare Federation; Barnsley; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Barnsley Healthcare Federation seeks an experienced HR Business Partner to support senior leaders with strategic and operational people services. You will guide managers on employee relations, policy compliance and workforce planning, contributing to a high-performing, inclusive culture.

Responsibilities include complex case management, data-driven decision making and leading organisational development initiatives within a not-for-profit healthcare setting.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in senior HR advisory or business partnering
• Expertise in handling complex employee relations cases
• Strong knowledge of NHS/healthcare workforce contexts is desirable

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic HR leadership with workforce solutions aligned to organisational aims.
• Manage complex employee relations cases and advise managers on resolution.
• Support workforce planning, recruitment, retention and workforce data analysis.

Skills

HR business partnering

Employee relations

Change management

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Coaching

Policy writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Job description

The HR BusinessPartner provides a comprehensive, proactive and solutions-focused peopleservice that supports Barnsley Healthcare Federation's strategic objectives andoperational priorities. The post holder acts as a trusted advisor to seniorleaders and managers, providing expert guidance across the full employeelifecycle whilst ensuring compliance with current employment legislation, NHSworkforce standards and organisational policies.

The role combinesoperational HR delivery with strategic workforce planning, organisationaldevelopment and culture improvement initiatives. The post holder willcontribute to the development of a high-performance culture, supporting staffwellbeing, engagement, inclusion and retention whilst promoting best practicein people management.

Main duties of the job

This role provides strategic and operational HR leadership, partnering with managers to deliver workforce solutions that support organisational objectives. The postholder will manage complex employee relations cases, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, performance and sickness absence matters, providing expert advice and support to managers.

The role supports workforce planning, recruitment and retention initiatives, helping to address workforce challenges and improve organisational performance. Responsibilities include analysing workforce data, identifying trends and supporting service improvement through evidence-based decision-making.

The postholder will contribute to organisational development by promoting learning, leadership development and employee engagement initiatives. They will also support the development and implementation of HR policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with employment legislation and best practice.

Using digital HR systems, the role will provide workforce reporting and intelligence, drive process improvements and support organisational objectives. The postholder will champion equality, diversity and inclusion, helping to create a positive, inclusive and high-performing workplace culture.

About us

Barnsley Healthcare Federation is a not-for-profit organisation owned by local GP practices, working collaboratively to deliver high-quality, patient-centred healthcare services across Barnsley. We support primary care by providing innovative, integrated services that improve access, enhance patient outcomes and help reduce health inequalities within our communities.

Working in partnership with GP practices, NHS organisations, local authorities and community providers, we are committed to delivering sustainable healthcare solutions that meet the evolving needs of the local population. Our values are centred on collaboration, innovation, excellence and putting patients at the heart of everything we do.

As a growing and forward-thinking organisation, Barnsley Healthcare Federation offers a supportive and inclusive working environment where employees are encouraged to develop, contribute ideas and make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of the population we serve.

Job responsibilities

Job Statement

The HR Business Partner provides a comprehensive, proactive and solutions-focused people service that supports Barnsley Healthcare Federation's strategic objectives and operational priorities. The post holder acts as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and managers, providing expert guidance across the full employee lifecycle whilst ensuring compliance with current employment legislation, NHS workforce standards and organisational policies.

The role combines operational HR delivery with strategic workforce planning, organisational development and culture improvement initiatives. The post holder will contribute to the development of a high-performance culture, supporting staff wellbeing, engagement, inclusion and retention whilst promoting best practice in people management.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic HR Leadership

• Partner with senior leaders to develop and implement workforce strategies aligned to organisational objectives.
• Provide expert advice on organisational design, workforce transformation and service development.
• Lead and support organisational change programmes, including restructures, consultation processes, redeployment exercises and redundancies.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of People and Workforce Strategies.
• Support succession planning and talent management initiatives.

Employee Relations

• Manage complex employee relations cases including disciplinary, grievance, capability, sickness absence and performance management matters.
• Conduct or oversee investigations and formal hearings where required.
• Provide coaching and support to managers in resolving workplace issues at the earliest opportunity.
• Facilitate mediation and informal dispute resolution processes.
• Ensure all casework is managed fairly, consistently and in accordance with employment legislation and organisational policy.

Workforce Planning and Recruitment

• Support workforce planning activities including recruitment, retention, redeployment and workforce sustainability.
• Develop innovative recruitment and attraction approaches to address workforce challenges.
• Support managers in reviewing workforce structures and staffing requirements.
• Monitor workforce metrics and trends to identify areas for intervention and improvement.

Learning, Development and Organisational Development

• Promote a culture of continuous learning and professional development.
• Advise managers regarding training needs analysis and workforce development planning.
• Support leadership development, management training and coaching programmes.
• Lead organisational development initiatives that improve engagement, performance and culture.

Policy Development and Governance

• Develop, review and implement HR policies and procedures in line with legislative requirements and best practice.
• Maintain awareness of developments in employment law, NHS guidance and workforce policy.
• Ensure HR systems, processes and records remain compliant with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Support organisational compliance with CQC standards and wider governance frameworks.

Workforce Information and Digital HR

• Utilise digital HR systems to provide workforce intelligence and reporting.
• Analyse workforce data including sickness absence, turnover, recruitment and retention trends.
• Present workforce information to inform decision making and strategic planning.
• Support continuous improvement of HR processes through digital innovation and automation.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

• Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging across the organisation.
• Support initiatives that improve workforce diversity and employee experience.
• Ensure equality considerations are incorporated into HR decision making and policy development.

Knowledge, Training & Experience

Comprehensive understanding of UK employment legislation and case law.

Significant experience of managing complex employee relations matters.

Experience of workforce planning and organisational change management.

Experience of HR policy development and implementation.

Experience of advising senior leaders and managers.

Understanding of NHS workforce challenges and healthcare environments.

Knowledge of data protection legislation and information governance requirements.

Experience of using HR information systems and workforce reporting tools.

Excellent communication and influencing skills.

Strong coaching and mentoring capability.

Ability to build positive and credible stakeholder relationships.

Excellent negotiation and conflict resolution skills.

Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Ability to manage competing priorities and work autonomously.

Report writing and presentation skills.

High level of confidentiality and professional integrity.

Advanced IT and digital literacy skills.

Effort Factors

Mental Effort

Frequent requirement for concentration when analysing complex workforce issues, employment legislation and workforce data.

Regular requirement to manage multiple competing priorities and deadlines.

Emotional Effort

• Frequent exposure to sensitive, distressing and challenging employee relations matters.
• Requirement to support managers and employees through organisational change, performance concerns and wellbeing issues.

Physical Effort

Light physical effort associated with office-based work and travel between sites as required.

Prolonged periodsof computer use.

Working Conditions

Primarily office and hybrid working environment.

Occasional travel across organisational sites and partner locations.

Exposure to emotionally demanding situations requiring resilience and professional judgement.

Salary range: £42,000-£45,000 per annum

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Coaching or mediation qualification

Knowledge and Skills

• UK Employment Law and HR best practice
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion principles
• Workforce planning methodologies
• HR systems and workforce analytics
• Influencing and stakeholder management
• Coaching and mentoring
• Data analysis and reporting
• Policy writing and review
• Presentation and facilitation skills
• NHS People Plan and NHS workforce frameworks

Experience

• Senior HR advisory or business partnering experience
• Managing complex employee relations cases
• Supporting organisational change programmes
• Workforce planning and talent management
• Policy development and reviewWorking within healthcare, NHS or primary care settings

Personal Qualities

• Professional, credible and approachable
• Resilient and adaptable
• High level of integrity and confidentiality
• Values-driven and inclusive leadership approach
• Commitment to continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Coaching or mediation qualification

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.