HR Business Partner - LHR

John Menzies; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Menzies Aviation in London Heathrow is seeking an experienced HR Business Partner to join the People team. Reporting to the Head of People, the role provides expert guidance across all people matters, with a strong focus on employee relations and industrial relations in a fast-paced, unionised operation.

You will act as a trusted partner to managers and employees, lead on complex ER cases, support trade union engagement, and ensure fair, compliant application of policies while driving wellbeing,

Qualifications

• Proven HR Business Partner or Senior HR Advisor experience in a complex, unionised environment.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and best practice in employee relations.
• Demonstrable experience of handling complex ER cases from start to resolution.
• Experience of working with trade unions, including consultation and negotiation.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong problem-solving ability with resilience and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to balance operational needs with a people-first approach.
• CIPD qualification (Level 5 or above) or equivalent experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted advisor to the LHR Ground Handling leadership team, providing expert guidance on all aspects of HR with a strong emphasis on employee relations (ER) and industrial relations (IR), including employment law, equal opportunities, and associated legislation.
• Lead and manage complex ER cases (disciplinary, grievance, absence, performance) ensuring consistency, fairness, and compliance.
• Build and maintain constructive relationships with trade unions, supporting negotiations on pay, terms and conditions, and procedural matters, as well as collective consultation exercises.
• Support business change initiatives, including restructures, TUPE transfers, and redundancy programmes, ensuring compliance with legislation and best practice.
• Work closely with the Head of People to deliver an effective HR partnering service (Employee Relations, Resourcing, Reward, Learning & Development).

Skills

ER expertise

IR expertise

UK employment law

Union engagement

Stakeholder management

Education

CIPD Level 5 or above

Job description

Overview

People. Passion. Pride. This is what has driven our teams since 1833.

Since that time, we have developed to become a critical partner in the global aviation industry, delivering time-critical logistics services at 350 locations in more than 65 countries, across six continents.

But at the heart of our business is our people.

Role Purpose

We are looking for an experienced and confident HR Business Partner to join our team at London Heathrow. Reporting to the Head of People, this role is at the heart of our operation, providing expert guidance and support across all people matters, with a strong focus on employee relations and industrial relations.

You will act as a trusted partner to managers and employees, leading on complex ER cases, supporting trade union engagement, and ensuring fair and consistent application of policies. With Heathrow's fast-paced and unionised environment, you will play a key role in maintaining constructive industrial relationships while also driving initiatives that support employee wellbeing, engagement, and performance.

If you are passionate about making a difference through positive employee relations, and thrive in a dynamic operational environment, this role offers a unique opportunity to have a real impact at one of the world's busiest airports.

What you will be doing

• Act as a trusted advisor to the LHR Ground Handling leadership team, providing expert guidance on all aspects of HR with a strong emphasis on employee relations (ER) and industrial relations (IR), including employment law, equal opportunities, and associated legislation.
• Lead and manage complex ER cases (disciplinary, grievance, absence, performance) ensuring consistency, fairness, and compliance.
• Build and maintain constructive relationships with trade unions, supporting negotiations on pay, terms and conditions, and procedural matters, as well as collective consultation exercises.
• Support business change initiatives, including restructures, TUPE transfers, and redundancy programmes, ensuring compliance with legislation and best practice.
• Work closely with the Head of People to deliver an effective HR partnering service (Employee Relations, Resourcing, Reward, Learning & Development).

Would you like to see more detail on the accountabilities of the role? Please see the attached job description for further information

Safety, Security, Wellbeing and Compliance:

You will have a responsibility and duty whilst at work to take reasonable care of the health, safety and wellbeing of yourself and others in accordance with provided information, training, and workplace health and safety rules or procedures. The company is committed to providing a safe working environment for all staff members. In all areas of our business there is a potential risk to the health, safety and welfare to everyone on our sites through the misuse of alcohol and drugs. As such the Company prohibits such misuse and carries out regular testing to enforce our Substance Misuse Policy.

Please see the attached job description for further details on safety, security, wellbeing & compliance.

What we are looking for

• Proven HR Business Partner or Senior HR Advisor experience in a complex, unionised environment.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and best practice in employee relations.
• Demonstrable experience of handling complex ER cases from start to resolution.
• Experience of working with trade unions, including consultation and negotiation.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong problem-solving ability with resilience and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to balance operational needs with a people-first approach.
• CIPD qualification (Level 5 or above) or equivalent experience preferred.

Diversity

Menzies Aviation are a committed equal opportunity employer and encourage applications for suitably qualified and eligible applicants regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, and maternity. We strive to create an inclusive working environment, where the different knowledge, perspectives, experiences, and approaches of our global workforce are represented. Where everyone feels valued and can reach their full potential.

Please be aware that as part of our recruitment process, we may look to use a variety of resourcing tools to help us understand your skills and experience in relation to the role. Please feel free to contact to recruiter below, if there are any reasonable adjustments to our process that you would like us to consider.

As part of our recruitment process, we will always consider how candidates fit with our values which you can learn more about here.