HR Business Partner

Ashley Kate HR; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading HR consulting firm is seeking an Operational HR Business Partner to support a diverse workforce in a fast-paced environment. This contract role, lasting 12-18 months, involves partnering with senior leaders to provide proactive HR support, managing employee relations, and driving well-being initiatives. Candidates should possess strong operational HR experience and a CIPD qualification, with a commitment to being on-site five days a week. This is an exciting opportunity for HR professionals who thrive in dynamic settings.

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 5 or Level 7 (or equivalent) strongly preferred.
• Experience in a fast-paced operational HR role is highly advantageous.
• Proven track record managing complex ER cases.

Responsibilities

• Manage employee relations cases end-to-end.
• Support and advise on shift patterns, rosters, and resource planning.
• Drive engagement, wellbeing, and retention initiatives.

Skills

Strong experience in operational HR

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving mindset

Education

CIPD Level 5 or Level 7

Job description

• Job Type: Contract
• Posted on: 8th Dec 2025
• Job Reference: JN -122025-63985_1765214450

We are seeking a highly effective Operational HR Business Partner to join our aviation client's high-performance People Team, supporting a large, multi-shift workforce across a safety-critical, 24/7 operation. This is a key role partnering with senior operational leaders and managers to deliver high-impact HR support on the ground, ensuring a consistent, proactive, and solutions-led approach to people management. This is an interim contract for 12 - 18 months.

Working on-site at their Castle Donington operation, you will be the visible HR lead for a diverse client group of c. 500+ colleagues across engineering, logistics, operations, and frontline support teams.

This is an exciting opportunity for an HR professional who thrives in fast-paced, high-volume environments where the ability to anticipate issues, influence managers, and maintain operational continuity is essential.

Key Responsibilities

As the on-site HR Business Partner you will take the lead on all core HR activity across the operation, including:

• Managing employee relations cases end-to-end, including disciplinary, grievance, performance, and attendance
• Supporting and advising on shift patterns, rosters, and resource planning in a regulated, time-critical environment
• Leading HR involvement in operational change initiatives, restructures, and continuous improvement programmes
• Conducting and sometimes leading robust investigations
• Coaching managers to build people management capability and ensure consistent use of policy
• Supporting recruitment, onboarding, vetting, and compliance for operational and safety-sensitive roles
• Driving engagement, wellbeing, and retention initiatives across a multi-shift workforce
• Providing proactive HR insight to operational leaders, identifying emerging risks and opportunities
• Acting as a trusted on-site partner, visible across the hangars, warehouse, and operational floor

Operational HR Business Partner - About You

• CIPD Level 5 or Level 7 (or equivalent) strongly preferred
• Strong experience in a fast-paced operational HR role (aviation, logistics, manufacturing, or engineering highly advantageous)
• Proven track record managing complex and high-volume ER cases
• Confident working on-site with frontline colleagues and senior operational leaders
• Experience with rostering, shift-based environments, or regulated operations beneficial
• Strong analytical, organisational, and communication skills
• A practical, problem-solving mindset: proactive rather than reactive
• Fully committed to on-site presence 5 days per week - essential for operational delivery

For further information, please contact Natasha on 0115 9223000

About Us

We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. In line with our Diversity and Inclusion policy, we welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. As a Disability Confident Employer, and part of the Nicholas Associates Group, we are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities, and we're happy to discuss flexible working options.

We are committed to protecting the privacy of all our candidates and clients. If you choose to apply, your information will be processed in accordance with the Nicholas Associates Group of companies Privacy Notice.