HR Business Partner (Acquisition and Projects)

Ipsum Utilities Limited; Astley Village; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Ipsum Utilities Limited is seeking an HR Business Partner (Acquisition and Projects) to lead the people workstream for mergers and acquisitions, reviewing due diligence information and managing people-related risks. You will develop effective integration plans and collaborate with Operational HR Business Partners to smooth the transition into the organisation.

You will also deliver strategic people projects, partnering with the Head of HR to drive change, support technology/process

Qualifications

• Experience in HR with a focus on M&A and projects.
• Strong employment law knowledge.
• Experience managing organisational and cultural change.
• Ability to develop project plans and meet deadlines.
• Full UK driving licence.
• CIPD Level 7 or degree-level qualification desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR due diligence activities for mergers and acquisitions, reviewing structures, terms, policies, benefits and compliance.
• Analyse data and identify gaps, risks and opportunities relevant to integration.
• Produce HR due diligence reports and recommendations to support decisions.
• Develop and coordinate people integration plans for post-acquisition periods.
• Drive strategic HR projects, partnering with leadership and HR teams to improve processes.

Skills

HR experience

M&A experience

Change management

Stakeholder management

Project delivery

Employment law knowledge

Communication skills

Education

CIPD Level 7

Degree-level qualification

Job description

Job Overview

As an HR Business Partner (Acquisition and Projects), you will lead the people workstream for mergers and acquisitions, reviewing due diligence information, identifying and managing people-related risks, and developing effective integration plans. Working closely with acquired businesses and Operational HR Business Partners, you will help deliver a smooth and well-governed transition into the organisation, supporting integration activities through to business-as-usual operations.

You will also play a key role in delivering strategic people projects, partnering with the Head of HR to drive change across the business. This will include supporting technology and process implementations, organisational change initiatives, and continuous improvement programmes that enhance both employee experience and business performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead HR due diligence activities for mergers and acquisitions, reviewing organisational structures, employment terms, policies, benefits, workforce programmes, liabilities and employment law compliance.
• Analyse and validate HR due diligence data, identifying gaps, inconsistencies and people-related risks, and escalating material findings where required.
• Produce clear HR due diligence reports and recommendations to support acquisition decision-making.
• Identify workforce synergies, opportunities and potential challenges to support successful post-acquisition integration.
• Develop and coordinate people integration plans, ensuring workforce alignment, operational efficiency and consistency across structures, roles and reward frameworks.
• Act as the central HR lead for acquisitions, partnering with acquired businesses, Operational HR Business Partners and specialist HR teams to drive integration activities.
• Lead the delivery of post-acquisition people plans, providing hands-on support through the transition period and ensuring an effective handover into business-as-usual operations.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders, providing clear communication and support to promote engagement, trust and a smooth integration experience.
• Support the delivery of strategic HR projects and continuous improvement initiatives, developing project plans, KPIs and timelines while leveraging technology and process enhancements to drive efficiency and consistency.

You are an experienced HR professional with expertise in mergers and acquisitions, people integration and project delivery. You have a track record of building trusted relationships with business leaders, providing commercially focused HR advice and supporting organisations through periods of change. With strong employment law knowledge and a collaborative approach, you are comfortable managing multiple priorities and delivering successful outcomes in a fast‑paced environment.

Requirements

You'll bring:

• Experience in HR, with a focus on M&A and projects.
• Strong employment law and HR knowledge.
• Experience managing organisational and cultural change.
• Ability to build trusted relationships and influence stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong planning, organisation and attention to detail.
• Resilience and adaptability in a changing environment.
• Ability to develop project plans and meet deadlines.
• Full UK driving licence.
• CIPD Level 7, Chartered CIPD membership and/or degree-level qualification (desirable).

We believe in looking after our people, and it shows. When you join Ipsum, you're not just taking a job - you're starting a career with real support behind it.