HR Business Partner (Ref 26-114)

Cleveland Police; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Cleveland Police is recruiting an experienced HR Business Partner to join the People and Development team in Thornaby. You will deliver expert HR and Employee Relations advice, coach leaders, and shape the people agenda across the Force.

You will influence senior managers, lead complex ER cases, review policies, and use HR analytics to drive improvements while promoting equality, diversity and inclusivity. Interviews start mid-December 2026.

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience in a generalist or specialist HR role within a large, complex organisation.
• Experience partnering with senior managers and influencing business outcomes.
• Strong knowledge of HR best practice and current people management trends.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management with the ability to influence and challenge constructively.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret data and provide evidence-based recommendations.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Evidence of recent continuous professional development.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional HR and Employee Relations advice across a broad range of workforce matters.
• Lead and manage complex employee relations cases including attendance management, misconduct, grievances, capability, performance and flexible working requests.
• Partner with senior leaders and managers to develop people-focused solutions that support operational and organisational objectives.
• Coach and build management capability, enabling leaders to confidently manage people matters and promote employee wellbeing.
• Support the development, implementation and review of HR policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with legislation and best practice.
• Use workforce data and analytics to identify trends, risks and opportunities, supporting informed decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to organisational change programmes, providing expert HR guidance throughout consultation and implementation processes.
• Build effective working relationships with leadership teams, staff associations, colleagues and key stakeholders across the organisation.
• Produce high-quality HR documentation, reports and business cases to support decision-making and governance requirements.
• Champion equality, diversity and inclusion while promoting positive employee relations and values-based leadership.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Communication

Analytical thinking

Organisational skills

Employee relations

Change management

Education

CIPD Level 5 qualification

Job description

Post: HR Business Partner

Salary: SO 1 / 2 - £37,020 - £42,612

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract Type: Permanent

Location: St Marks House, Thornaby

Are you an experienced HR professional who thrives on building strong relationships, influencing positive change, and delivering practical people solutions?

At Cleveland Police, we're looking for an experienced and people focused HR Business Partner to join our People and Development team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping our people agenda, supporting leaders across the organisation, and helping us create a positive and inclusive working environment where our people can perform at their best.

As an HR Business Partner, you will work closely with managers and stakeholders across the Force, providing expert HR and Employee Relations advice, coaching leaders through complex people matters, and contributing to strategic workforce initiatives. You will be instrumental in ensuring our people policies, practices, and organisational development objectives are delivered effectively and consistently.

What you'll be doing

• Provide professional HR and Employee Relations advice across a broad range of workforce matters.
• Lead and manage complex employee relations cases, including attendance management, misconduct, grievances, capability, performance and flexible working requests.
• Partner with senior leaders and managers to develop people-focused solutions that support operational and organisational objectives.
• Coach and build management capability, enabling leaders to confidently manage people matters and promote employee wellbeing.
• Support the development, implementation and review of HR policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with legislation and best practice.
• Use workforce data and analytics to identify trends, risks and opportunities, supporting informed decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to organisational change programmes, providing expert HR guidance throughout consultation and implementation processes.
• Build effective working relationships with leadership teams, staff associations, colleagues and key stakeholders across the organisation.
• Produce high-quality HR documentation, reports and business cases to support decision-making and governance requirements.
• Champion equality, diversity and inclusion while promoting positive employee relations and values-based leadership.

What we're looking for

We are seeking a confident HR professional who can balance strategic thinking with operational delivery and who is passionate about supporting people and organisational success.

You will have:

• CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent professional experience.
• Demonstrable experience working in a generalist or specialist HR role within a large and complex organisation.
• Experience partnering with senior managers and influencing positive business outcomes.
• Strong knowledge of HR best practice and current people management trends.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and challenge constructively.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and provide evidence-based recommendations.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Evidence of recent continuous professional development.

Why join us?

People are at the heart of policing. This role offers the opportunity to make a genuine impact by helping shape the employee experience, supporting organisational change, and ensuring our people receive professional, high-quality HR support throughout their careers.

Interviews are scheduled to take place week commencing 14th December 2026.

Cleveland Police is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from all minority groups and individuals who identify with one or more of the protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010. All appointments will be made on merit.

Regardless of the applicant, this role is on current Cleveland Police Terms and Conditions as per Police Staff Council.