HR Business Partner

Innovate UK Business Connect; Harwell; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days annual leave

Enhanced Pension Plan

Life Assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Wider Wallet discounts

Continuous professional development

Job summary

Innovate UK Business Connect is seeking an HR Business Partner to partner with senior leaders, shaping people strategy and delivering pragmatic HR guidance across the organisation. The role reports to the Head of People and Organisational Development and supports the MD Office.

Based in Harwell, it involves leading HR initiatives, workforce planning, and engagement programmes while ensuring regulatory compliance and a high-performing culture.

Qualifications

• CIPD accreditation level, minimum 5, desirable 7 or equivalent experience.
• Strong employment law knowledge and experience.
• Experience of leading HR programmes and initiatives (performance management, compensation, restructures).
• Experience of working in a unionised environment with trade unions and employee representatives.
• Proven ability to handle confidential matters with discretion.
• Experience in public sector organisations and complex Employee Relations cases.
• Ability to translate organisational strategy into deliverable HR plans and outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective business partnering and coaching to Leadership to build high performing teams.
• Develop and deliver HR projects, including talent management, ED&I, engagement and reward.
• Support workforce planning, culture change, design and capability-building initiatives.
• Plan resourcing, training, restructuring and succession; assist staff to implement.
• Provide guidance on HR policies, systems and processes.
• Support consultation and negotiation with recognised trade unions and representatives.
• Use data to inform strategic and operational decisions.
• Lead training sessions to provide guidance and best practice.
• Promote wellbeing, diversity, inclusion and Innovate UK Business Connect values.
• Undertake policy development to keep procedures up to date and compliant.
• Manage day-to-day HR workload; support wider HR & Talent team as needed.
• Line-manage HR team members and support their development and wellbeing.
• Deputise for Head of People at Executive/Board/Trade Union meetings.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Influencing

Communication

Coaching

Data analysis

Negotiation

HR policies

People data

Relationship building

IT literacy

Education

CIPD accreditation

Job description

HR Business Partner

Application Deadline: 13 November 2026

Department: MD Office

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Harwell

Compensation: £50,267 / year

Description

Reporting to the Head of People & Organisational Development, and with the support of the wider HR and Talent team, this role will partner with senior leaders and managers to deliver the IUKBC Strategic plan, support organisational effectiveness and provide clear, pragmatic HR advice across the business.

The role will be responsible for leading and supporting HR initiatives and programmes of work and will provide effective business partnering and coaching to the business and senior leaders to promote a high-performing workforce, support the organisational OKRs (Objectives & Key Results) and deliver the People Strategy.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Provide effective business partnering and coaching to Leadership within your business area to support them in building high performing, engaged teams through effective people processes.
• Support and lead the development and delivery of our people projects, programmes and initiatives to include talent management, ED&I, employee engagement, employee & industrial relations and reward and recognition.
• Support organisational development activity, including workforce planning, culture change, organisational design and capability-building initiatives that help the organisation adapt, improve and deliver its strategic objectives.
• Develop plans for resourcing, training, restructuring and succession, and support relevant staff to implement them effectively.
• Provide guidance and support to employees and line managers on current and new HR policies, systems and processes.
• Support and contribute to effective consultation and negotiation with recognised trade unions and employee representatives, building constructive working relationships and ensuring organisational change, employee relations matters and policy developments are managed fairly, consistently and in line with the Union Partnership Agreement.
• Use qualitative and quantitative people data to inform strategic and operational decisions.
• Develop and lead training sessions and workshops to provide employees and line managers with support, training and best practice guidance.
• Promote wellbeing, diversity, inclusion and represent Innovate UK Business Connect values to contribute to the organisation culture and values.
• Undertake policy development work and ensure people policies and procedures are up to date, aligned with business need, Innovate UK Business Connect values and compliant with current legislation.
• Manage the day-to-day operational HR workload, providing support and/or additional resource to the wider HR & Talent team where appropriate.
• Line manage other members of the HR Team, as required, for example the HR Advisor, HR Coordinator and/or HR Assistant, supporting their professional development, performance and wellbeing.
• Deputise for the Head of People and Organisational Development when required in Executive meetings, Board meetings, Trade Union meetings.

Experience & Skills

Essential Experience

• CIPD accreditation level, minimum 5 desirable 7 or equivalent experience
• Strong employment law knowledge and experience
• Experience of leading HR programmes and initiatives (performance management processes, compensation planning, restructures, conflict resolution)
• Experience of working in a unionised environment, including supporting consultation, negotiation and engagement with recognised trade unions and/or employee representatives
• Proven ability to deal with confidential matters and with discretion
• Demonstrable experience of working within a public sector organisation
• Significant experience of managing complex Employee Relations cases
• Experience of translating organisational strategy into deliverable HR plans and outcomes

Skills

• A self-starter, able to demonstrate high levels of initiative and motivation
• Strong business orientation and alignment with company values
• Strong influencing and stakeholder manager skills at mid to senior levels
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate confidently and build effective relationships
• Team player with good relationship building and influencing skills; enjoys working in a collaborative manner in an open, honest, and diverse environment
• Excellent coaching and facilitation skills
• Be able to produce and analyse data, spot trends and make recommendations for improvement
• Confident negotiation and consultation skills, with the ability to support constructive discussions with recognised trade unions and employee representatives
• Ability to balance organisational priorities with fair, consistent and legally compliant people practices
• Strong employee relations judgement, including the ability to assess risk, manage sensitive issues and provide pragmatic advice
• Clear and confident written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex HR matters in plain English and with excellent attention to detail
• Excellent attention to detail
• High level of IT literacy

Benefits

• This is a Grade 4 role with a salary of £50,267 (or a salary in line with our Pay Policy - https://teamsite.ktn-uk.org/Interact/Pages/Content/Document.aspx?id=6600&SearchId=391535)
• 28 days annual leave plus 10.5 bank and public holidays
• Enhanced Pension Plan
• Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Wider Wallet employee benefits high street discounts scheme
• Opportunities for continuous professional development as part of our Talent & Development Programme

Applicants must have the existing and ongoing right to work in the UK without restrictions as sponsorship for visas is not provided. Unfortunately, owing to the high number of applications received, we can only provide feedback to applicants selected for interview.

Innovate UK Business Connect strives to be a diverse and inclusive place where we can all be ourselves. We welcome everyone to apply, especially those individuals who are underrepresented in the industry: people of colour, LGBTQ+ community, women, disabled people, people of any age or family status. We know that diversity makes us stronger and we strive to create a working environment that is inclusive, and ensures everyone can be heard and valued for their contributions.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or family status, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected status. We are committed to removing barriers for individuals with conditions, illnesses or disabilities and we will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable adjustments to participate in the job application or interview process, and in their future role.

If you would like to request any reasonable adjustment, for any part of the recruitment process (including application), please let us know by emailing [e-mail].