HR Business Partner

Talent Smart Limited; Reading; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A dynamic HR consultancy is seeking an HR Business Partner to provide strategic HR support to senior leaders. The role focuses on employment law compliance, organizational change, and TUPE transfers. Key responsibilities include advising on HR practices, leading restructures, and managing complex employee relations cases. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in HR within complex organizations and a strong knowledge of UK employment law. Join a collaborative environment to help shape the future of the workforce.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an HR Business Partner or Senior HR Advisor in a complex organisation.
• Strong, up-to-date knowledge of UK employment law.
• Demonstrable experience leading organisational restructures and redundancy consultations.
• Hands-on experience managing TUPE transfers, including consultation and implementation.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills at senior level.

Responsibilities

• Partner with senior leaders to deliver effective people strategies aligned to business goals.
• Provide expert HR advice on UK employment law.
• Lead and manage complex employee relations cases.
• Support organisational restructures and change management.
• Develop and implement HR policies and procedures.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Negotiation skills

Education

CIPD qualification (Level 5 or Level 7)

Job description

The HR Business Partner will act as a strategic partner to senior leaders, providing expert HR advice and solutions that support organisational objectives. The role has a strong focus on employment law compliance, organisational change and restructuring, and TUPE transfers, ensuring all people-related activities are legally compliant, well‑managed, and aligned with best practice.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic HR Partnering

• Partner with senior leaders and managers to deliver effective people strategies aligned to business goals.

• Provide proactive, commercially focused HR advice to support organisational performance and change.

• Use HR data and insights to influence decision‑making and workforce planning.

Employment Law & Employee Relations

• Provide expert advice on UK employment law, ensuring compliance across policies, processes, and practices.

• Lead and manage complex employee relations cases, including disciplinary, grievance, absence management, performance, and dismissal matters.

• Keep the organisation informed of legislative changes and assess their impact on policies and operations.

Organisational Restructure & Change Management

• Lead and support organisational restructures, including role redesign, consultation processes, redundancies, and redeployment.

• Ensure all change processes are legally compliant, fair, and handled sensitively.

• Coach and support managers through change, building capability and confidence in people management.

TUPE & M&A Activity

• Provide expert guidance on TUPE transfers, including due diligence, employee liability information (ELI), consultation, and post‑transfer integration.

• Work closely with legal teams, unions/employee representatives, and external stakeholders during TUPE processes.

• Support mergers, acquisitions, and outsourcing initiatives from a people and compliance perspective.

Policy, Governance & Best Practice

• Develop, review, and implement HR policies and procedures in line with employment law and organisational needs.

• Ensure consistent application of HR policies across the organisation.

• Support audits and ensure HR practices meet internal governance and regulatory requirements.

Stakeholder Management & Collaboration

• Build strong relationships with managers, trade unions, employee representatives, and external advisors.

• Work collaboratively with HR Centres of Excellence (eg Reward, L&D, Resourcing) to deliver joined‑up HR solutions.

Person Specification (Essential)

• Proven experience as an HR Business Partner or Senior HR Advisor in a complex organisation.

• Strong, up‑to‑date knowledge of UK employment law.

• Demonstrable experience leading organisational restructures and redundancy consultations.

• Hands‑on experience managing TUPE transfers, including consultation and implementation.

• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills at senior level.

• Ability to manage sensitive issues with professionalism, integrity, and discretion.

Desirable

• CIPD qualification (Level 5 or Level 7) or equivalent experience.

• Experience working in unionised environments.

• Exposure to M&A, outsourcing, or large‑scale transformation programmes.

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic thinking with a pragmatic, solution‑focused approach

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills

• Resilience and confidence in managing complex and high‑risk situations

• Ability to balance commercial needs with legal compliance and employee wellbeing