HR Business Partner (FTC)

NAVANTIA UK; Stornoway; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Navantia UK is seeking an experienced HR Business Partner on a 6+ month fixed-term contract to partner with senior leaders and drive people initiatives. You will deliver trusted HR advice, shape workforce planning, and support change initiatives to build a high-performing, inclusive organisation.

Working with business leaders, you will use data and analytics to inform decisions, manage employee relations, and sustain engagement while ensuring compliance with employment law and company policies.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an HR Business Partner or HR Project Manager in a complex organisation.
• CIPD qualification at lvl5/7 or equivalent is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Partnership: Collaborate with senior leaders to understand business goals and develop HR strategies.
• Talent Management & Workforce Planning: Lead succession planning, talent reviews, and workforce development initiatives.
• Employee Relations & Engagement: Provide expert advice on employee relations issues and drive engagement, diversity and inclusion.
• Performance & Change Management: Partner on performance management and capability building; support restructures and cultural transformation.
• Policy & Compliance: Ensure adherence to HR policies and employment law; mitigate risk in ER and compliance.
• Data & Insights: Use HR metrics and analytics to inform strategic decisions and measure impact.

Skills

Strategic partnership

Workforce planning

Employee relations

Data-driven insights

Education

CIPD level 5/7 or equivalent

Job description

Navantia UK is a new force in British industry, supporting the UK’s defence, security and energy transition ambitions. We’re doing this by creating state-of-the-art sovereign defence capabilities, investing in the UK to modernise industrial facilities, and bolstering the nation's energy security. Established in 2022, Navantia UK is a subsidiary of Navantia SA, a Spanish state-owned company with over 300 years of naval shipbuilding history. In January 2025, Navantia UK completed the acquisition of Harland & Wolff and its four historic facilities in Belfast, Appledore, Methil, and Arnish. By combining Harland & Wolff’s proud heritage and facilities with Navantia’s global expertise, Navantia UK is well-positioned to strengthen Britain’s defence, maritime and energy industrial capabilities, supporting jobs and economic growth across the UK.

Job Description

HR Business Partner (6+ Month Fixed-Term Contract)

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced HR Business Partner to join our organisation on a 6+ month fixed-term contract. Working closely with business leaders, you will provide trusted HR advice, drive people initiatives, and support the delivery of a high-performing and engaged workforce. This role is ideal for an HR professional who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment and making a tangible impact on business success.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

Strategic Partnership

• Collaborate with senior leaders to understand business goals and develop HR strategies that enable success.
• Influence decision-making through data-driven insights and workforce analytics.

Talent Management & Workforce Planning

• Lead local succession planning, talent reviews, and workforce development initiatives.
• Support recruitment strategy emphasising critical roles and underrepresented groups.

Employee Relations & Engagement

• Provide expert advice on complex employee relations issues, ensuring compliance with employment law and company policies.
• Drive initiatives to improve employee engagement, diversity, and inclusion.

Performance & Change Management

• Partner with leaders on performance management processes and capability building.
• Support organizational change projects, including restructures and cultural transformation.
• Work with business to reduce absenteeism and in work sickness issues

Policy & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to HR policies, employment legislation, and best practice standards.
• Mitigate risk through proactive management of employee relations and compliance issues.

Data & Insights

• Utilise HR metrics and analytics to inform strategic decisions and measure impact.
• Prepare reports and recommendations for local leadership team.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Proven experience as an HR Business Partner or HR Project Manager in a complex organisation.
• CIPD qualification at lvl5/7 or equivalent is desirable.

Additional Information

***Please note as part of the onboarding process all candidates will need to complete BPSS security clearance***

We are an Opening Doors employer, committed to equal opportunity and an inclusive workplace. Our approach, shaped by our values of service, trust, excellence, agility, dedication, and you, we focus on removing barriers and recognising potential. We are committed to fairness at every stage, including providing reasonable adjustments and actively working to eliminate discrimination.

We believe talent is everywhere, and by widening access to opportunity and welcoming diverse experiences, we aim to create a workplace where every person feels valued and has an equal chance.