HR Business Partner

GKN Aerospace; Luton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace manufacturer in Luton is seeking an experienced HR Business Partner to manage employee engagement and compliance. You will support various HR functions, including appeals and law updates while promoting diversity and inclusion initiatives. The role offers competitive salary, bonuses, and a range of benefits within a collaborative team environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Up to 15% bonus

Industry-leading Pension Scheme

Life assurance

185 hours holiday + bank holidays

Income protection

Shopping discounts

Cycle to Work Scheme

Free onsite parking

Local gym discount

Qualifications

• Experience in HR advising within diverse populations.
• Proven knowledge of HR best practices.
• Ability to influence and communicate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Point of escalation for employee appeals and compliance issues.
• Manage right to work compliance.
• Support employee engagement activities.

Skills

HR Business Partner experience

Employment law knowledge

Interpreting HR data

Stakeholder management

Education

CIPD qualification (or working towards)

Tools

HR Information Systems

Job description

Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 33 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.35 bn in 2023. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

It’s great to know you’re making a difference to the future of aviation! Whatever part you play you’ll be helping us deliver operational excellence to our customers. Based at our Luton manufacturing plant you’ll do just that. Established in 1993, GKN Aerospace in Luton is a world leader in commercial and military ice protection systems and transparencies. Offering a full range of capabilities; design, analysis, testing, certification and manufacture of electro-thermal ice protection, military fast jet canopies and flight deck windows to over 20 programmes including: Boeing 787, Dreamliner, Airbus A320, AgustaWestland, AW101, Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed, Martin F-22 Raptor. Our customers include Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Bell Helicopters, Textron, BAE Systems, Pratt & Whitney, Leonardo. Our Luton site is home to 370+ employees and onsite facilities including onsite parking, food hub and vending machines.

Job Responsibilities

• Point of escalation for investigation for employee appeals, concerns of compliance issues, working conditions, disciplinary actions, employee and applicant appeals, discrimination allegations and grievances
• Responsible for employment law updates and manage right to work compliance across the site
• Support and champion early careers initiatives, be point of contact for the site and proactively network and outreach to local schools and colleges
• Support employee engagement activities across the site
• Participate in developing department goals, objectives and systems
• Maintain compliance with local employment laws
• Support any occupational health issues / workers comp claims or other local return to work / re-integration processes
• Conduct various research and/or special projects and prepares reports and summaries
• Assist HR department with projects and initiatives as required

What You'll Bring

Essential

• Experience in an HR Business Partner or HR Advisor role, providing HR support across a diverse and multi-functional population
• Experience of employment law, HR best practices and employee relations
• Experience in interpreting HR data and providing insights to support business decisions
• Experience with HR Information Systems
• Proven experience in stakeholder management, with the ability to influence and communicate effectively at all levels

Desirable

• CIPD qualification (or working towards one)
• Experience in industrial relations, including working with trade unions and employee representatives
• Experience in inputting payroll data and performing accuracy audits

We’re looking for someone who brings a genuine passion for employee engagement, wellbeing, and diversity, inclusion, and belonging (DIB) initiatives. You’ll have a proactive, solutions focused approach to problem‑solving, paired with excellent communication skills both verbal and written with the ability to tailor messages to suit different audiences. A collaborative mindset is key, as is the ability to work effectively within a team and across different functions. Integrity, professionalism, and the ability to handle sensitive matters with confidentiality are essential to success in this role.

What We'll Offer

• Competitive salary dependent on experience
• The opportunity to earn up to 15% bonus
• Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis
• Life Assurance 8 x salary
• 185 hours holiday + bank holidays
• Income protection
• Shopping discounts
• Cycle To Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family
• Free onsite parking
• Local gym discount
• 50% off local travel card
• Free airport Dart
• Free airport parking
• Discount with local nursery and preschool childcare setting
• Enhanced family friendly leave
• A collaborative, dynamic working environment

As well as a competitive package we’ll offer you a world of opportunity. We want to see your career fly! We’ll support your career progression by providing you with learning and development opportunities. That’s the beauty of being part of a global business, once you’re on board you never know where you career journey may take you!

We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?

Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN. We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’. By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.

We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.

We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.