HR Business Partner

Ipsum; Chorley; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading HR consulting firm is seeking an experienced HR Business Partner to support operational divisions in the water utilities sector. This role focuses on aligning HR strategy with business goals while managing recruitment and fostering employee engagement. The ideal candidate will have utilities experience and be CIPD qualified, offering a salary of up to £40k with additional benefits including a £6k car allowance.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Group Personal Pension Plan

Car allowance

Career development opportunities

24/7 access to a virtual GP

Cycle to Work scheme

Life assurance cover

Qualifications

• Experience from the utilities sector is preferred.
• Strong track record of leading complex change projects.

Responsibilities

• Deliver workshops to boost manager skills.
• Support recruitment activities.
• Prepare monthly HR reports for senior leadership.

Skills

People management

Employment law knowledge

Change management

Communication

Coaching

Education

CIPD qualified (Level 5 minimum)

Tools

Microsoft Office

SharePoint

Job description

HR Business Partner (Water & Infrastructure) - Chorley (includes national travel)

What’s in it for you

• We believe in looking after our people, and it shows. When you join Ipsum, you're not just taking a job, you are starting a career with real support behind it.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays with the option to buy more
• Group Personal Pension Plan
• Car allowance
• Career development & progression with the opportunity to earn professional qualifications
• 24/7 access to a virtual GP and Mental health support & counselling services
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Discount club - supermarkets, phone bills, gyms & more!
• Life assurance cover
• Long service recognition
• Active local social committees
• Regular social events

About the role

We are looking for an experienced and proactive HR Business Partner to join our team at Ipsum, supporting our operational divisions across the water utilities sectors. This role is key to aligning HR strategy with business goals, working closely with the Head of HR Operations to deliver a people-focused plan that drives performance and engagement.

You'll lead the delivery of local HR projects, partner with line managers to embed best practices, and play a hands-on role in shaping our culture, providing guidance and mentorship as they grow within the team. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact in a growing business.

As an HR Business Partner you will

• Deliver targeted workshops to boost line manager skills in disciplinaries, grievances, absence management, and more
• Empower managers to take ownership of everyday people issues and become more self-sufficient
• Support recruitment activities—advertising, screening, interviewing, onboarding—to enhance candidate experience
• Champion employee engagement and positive relations through proactive collaboration with managers
• Partner with Head of HR (Operations) to implement engagement action plans that drive performance
• Embed PeopleHR across divisions to strengthen accountability and enable cultural change
• Maintain real-time accuracy of operational data within PeopleHR
• Coordinate with Head of HR (Operations) on TUPE, acquisitions, integration, restructuring, and redundancy
• Coach managers on handling difficult conversations and resolving issues informally
• Provide pragmatic, risk-aware HR advice to managers, escalating to Head of HR (Operations) when needed
• Prepare monthly HR reports for senior leadership and board-level business reviews
• Use HR metrics to generate insights and drive performance improvements across operational teams

About you

We are looking for a confident and experienced HR Business Partner who thrives in a fast-paced, matrixed environment. Ideally, you'll bring experience from the utilities sector and have a strong grasp of employment law, with a proven track record of leading complex change projects such as restructures, TUPE, and variations to terms and conditions. You'll be comfortable building relationships at all levels, influencing stakeholders, and driving meaningful business impact through strategic HR initiatives.

You'll be CIPD qualified (Level 5 minimum), with excellent IT skills across Microsoft Office and SharePoint. Resilience, adaptability, and a proactive approach to personal development are key, as is the ability to navigate change with confidence. If you're passionate about making a difference and ready to take ownership of your HRBP remit, we'd love to hear from you.

Our commitment to Equal Opportunities

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Salary and location: Up to £40k plus £6k car allowance. 40 hours per week. Can be based in the Chorley area and may cover the south, but most likely North.