HR Business Partner - 12 month FTC - Maternity Cover

Michael Page (UK); Birmingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a proactive HR Business Partner for a 12-month fixed-term contract to support strategic projects across the organisation. This critical role involves providing expert HR advice, managing people-related activities, and ensuring alignment with business commitments. Candidates with a strong background in HR within unionised environments and exceptional collaboration skills will thrive in this position.

Qualifications

• Solid understanding of HR in a unionised environment preferred.
• Comfortable with HR metrics and legal aspects.
• Experience in change management and strategic HR.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert guidance on people practices and HR processes.
• Support integration of people considerations into business planning.
• Identify employee relations or legal implications within changes.

Skills

Collaboration

Influencing skills

Communication

Data analysis

Attention to detail

Solution-oriented

Education

CIPD Level 5

Diploma in Management / Leadership

Job description

• Passionate about strategy
• Previously worked in a unionised environment

About Our Client

We are looking for a proactive and collaborative HR Business Partner to join the team. This role will play a critical part in supporting the development and delivery of the Business Plan Commitments. You will provide expert HR advice, guide people-related activities, and ensure alignment with our People strategies across a wide range of strategic projects. The role is 12 month FTC covering maternity.

Job Description

• 
  
  Provide expert guidance on people practices, working patterns, and HR processes aligned to BPCs and programme needs.
• 
  
  Act as a trusted HR Business Partner on the people impact of programme recommendations and decisions.
• 
  
  Maintain a comprehensive log of people-related assumptions and their impact throughout programme development.
• 
  
  Support the integration of people considerations into all business planning activities.
• 
  
  Identify and flag any employee relations or legal implications within proposed changes.
• 
  
  Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders to embed strong HR principles across the programme.

The Successful Applicant

Knowledge & Experience

• 
  
  Solid understanding of HR in a unionised or collectively bargained environment (rail or similar preferred).
• 
  
  Comfortable with HR metrics, data analysis, and the legal aspects of employment.
• 
  
  Experience in change management and strategic HR involvement in complex projects.
• 
  
  Background in railway operations or large-scale infrastructure projects is a plus.

Skills

• 
  
  Strong collaboration and influencing skills across a wide range of stakeholders.
• 
  
  Confident communicator - both written and verbal.
• 
  
  Ability to organise and present complex information clearly and accurately.
• 
  
  Forward-thinking with exceptional attention to detail.
• 
  
  Outcome-focused and solution-oriented mindset.

Qualifications

• 
  
  CIPD Level 5 (or equivalent experience).
• 
  
  Diploma in Management / Leadership (or equivalent experience).

What's on Offer

The role requires travel to Birmingham head office and weekly travel to London.

You'll be at the forefront of shaping the future for the organisation. With a supportive team, forward-thinking leadership, and a critical role, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact.
If you're passionate about people, strategy, and future-focused infrastructure, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply now and be part of the journey.