HR Business Partner (Maternity Leave)

West of England Combined Authorities; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Local Government Pension Scheme

Annual leave

Job summary

West of England Combined Authority seeks an HR Business Partner to cover maternity leave, shaping people strategies and delivering high-impact HR services. You will partner with senior leaders to align workforce plans with priorities, develop practical HR solutions, and drive culture change across the organisation.

You’ll operate in a fast-paced environment within a centres-of-excellence HR team, balancing strategic oversight with hands-on delivery and stakeholder influence.

Qualifications

• Proven experience of leading organisational restructures or service redesign.
• Ability to operate confidently in ambiguity and change.
• A pragmatic approach and the ability to simplify complex issues and deliver practical solutions.
• Confidence to challenge constructively and influence senior stakeholders.
• Ability to quickly build trust with Directors and senior leaders.
• Strong prioritisation skills in complex, fast-moving environments.
• Sound knowledge of UK employment law.

Responsibilities

• Partner with leaders to align people strategies with organisational objectives.
• Create innovative HR solutions for workforce challenges, including planning and design.
• Drive cultural and organisational change at every level.

Skills

Change management

Stakeholder management

Strategic partnering

UK employment law

Communication skills

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - 70 Redcliff Street, Bristol

Fixed Term/Full Time - 37 hours per week

Working Hours:

37

Location:

70 Redcliff Street, Bristol

Closing Date:

20/09/2026

Job Category:

HR & Organisational Development

Region / Division:

UK Region

Business Unit:

Operations

Job Introduction

At the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) we’re looking for an HR Business Partner to cover maternity leave and join our team as we address new organisational priorities and strive to deliver exceptional services. This is a critical time in our transformation and growth journey, and you’ll be pivotal in helping us achieve our ambitions by:

• Partnering with leaders to align people strategies with organisational objectives.
• Creating innovative HR solutions for workforce challenges, including planning and design.
• Driving cultural and organisational change at every level.

Our HR team is made up of centres of excellence across Operational HR, L&D, EDI, Talent Acquisition and Internal Communications, who work collaboratively together and with our internal partners to provide HR services and consultation which underpin organisational goals and mayoral priorities for the people of the West of England.

This is a fast-paced, high-impact role for an experienced HRBP with strategic capability and a willingness to be hands-on operationally. You will be expected to quickly build credibility and take ownership of a broad and evolving portfolio. In return, you’ll be given both the support to be successful and the autonomy to affect real change that matters.

What you’ll need to hit the ground running

• Proven experience of leading organisational restructures or service redesign
• Ability to operate confidently in ambiguity and change
• A pragmatic approach and the ability to simplify complex issues and deliver practical solutions
• Confidence to challenge constructively and influence senior stakeholders
• Ability to quickly build trust with Directors and senior leaders
• Strong prioritisation skills in complex, fast-moving environments
• Sound knowledge of UK employment law
• Ability to communicate complex HR processes and policies in a clear, accessible way

An understanding of HR governance and decision-making frameworks in a public sector or political environment will help you too.

This is a full time, fixed term role for 12 months to cover maternity leave.

About The Company

Our offer

We are based in a new bright and airy office, with all the latest technology, close to Bristol Temple Meads Train Station.

Alongside the opportunity to make a real difference to the people who visit, live and work in the West of England, we offer an excellent benefits package including:

• 26 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years continuous service. There is also the option to increase your annual leave with our annual leave purchase scheme.
• 2 days of paid leave each year to volunteer
• Local Government Pension Scheme (one of the most generous pension schemes in the UK).
• Flexible, family friendly and hybrid working options to ensure you achieve the best work/life balance and career goals. We follow a hybrid working model with typically 2 or 3 days in the office each week
• Reduced bus fare travel across the West of England

We believe in fostering a culture of continuous learning and development, empowering you to thrive in your career. We prioritise your growth and success by providing a diverse range of learning and development opportunities. Our goal is to keep you motivated, equipped with essential skills, and confident in delivering excellent services.

The salary for this role is £52,413 - £55,722. This is the full-time equivalent salary, and will be pro-rata for part-time. We advertise salary ranges for job roles, with new appointments for external candidates typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, where higher skill levels or experience are applicable, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate. This approach allows for potential year-on-year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees.

Fair and Inclusive Recruitment

We want everyone to have a fair opportunity to work with us. We are committed to inclusive recruitment and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. Our recruitment processes are designed to be fair, accessible and free from unlawful discrimination, in line with the Equality Act 2010.

Reasonable Adjustments
If you have an accessibility need, disability, condition or need any additional support that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process (for example, you might need to submit your application in a different format), please get in touch with our Resourcing Team at [e-mail] . We are here to assist and accommodate your needs.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We want to understand the real person behind each application. While we recognise that some applicants may use AI tools, these should support your writing rather than replace your own voice. AI can be a helpful aid, but your personal insight and individuality are what matter most to us.

From a recruitment agency?

We’re not engaging with agencies for this role. Any CVs received from agencies will be considered as unsolicited and the property of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, with no obligation to pay agency fees.