Human Resources Business Partner

Network Rail; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Pension schemes

Travel discount

Voluntary leave

Gym access

Employee discounts

Job summary

Network Rail is seeking a Human Resources Business Partner for the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU). Based in York, Leeds or Manchester, this role operates in a hybrid setup and collaborates with senior leaders to shape a People Plan that drives programme outcomes and workforce transformation.

You will lead HR data and analytics, support organisational change and succession, and partner with unions to deliver practical people solutions in a fast-paced enterprise environment.

Qualifications

• Understanding of project management principles and experience of managing complex projects to successful conclusion.
• Experience of managing projects to successful conclusion.
• Experience of working within a unionised environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR strategy and People Plan to support business objectives and a high-performance culture.
• Partner with senior leaders and stakeholders to advise on HR issues and changes.
• Lead on HR data and analytics across TRU, using insights to drive improvements.
• Provide operational HR support on organisation change, salaries, graduate or apprentice programs.
• Deliver integrated people solutions that address business needs and gain stakeholder acceptance.
• Collaborate with Centres of Expertise, HR Direct and shared services to provide the best solutions.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

HR data analytics

Job description

The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) is a £10.7 billion Programme of activities that is improving the railway between York and Manchester via Leeds and Huddersfield.

Stretching across the North of England, this key 76-mile Transpennine railway serves 23 stations, crosses over and dips under 285 bridges and viaducts, passes through six miles of tunnels, and crosses over 11 level crossings.

Proposed improvements as will deliver a hard-working, reliable railway for passengers, allowing for trains with more seats, more services and faster journey times.

TRU is more than a programme, it's a once-in-a-generation investment in the North's rail infrastructure. Being part of TRU means being part of something bigger: delivering better journeys, stronger communities and long-term economic

Location: York, Leeds or Manchester, with flexibility to travel between sites on an ad hoc basis when required

Contract Type: Permanent

Office Requirement: Hybrid. Minimum 3 days per week working from the office

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to join Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) as a Human Resources Business Partner. Working at the heart of one of the UK's most ambitious rail programmes, you'll operate in a truly enterprise environment, collaborating across organisations, partners and stakeholders to shape the future of rail as we move towards GBR.

As an HR Business Partner within TRU, you'll partner with senior leaders to deliver a strategically aligned People Plan that drives programme outcomes. Working in a complex, multi-partner environment, you'll lead change, shape high-performing teams and deliver impactful people solutions across talent, performance and engagement. In addition, this role will act as the HR lead for people data and analytics across TRU, using insight to inform decision making, identify trends and drive measurable improvements in business performance.

This is a fantastic opportunity to step beyond a traditional HRBP role and contribute to transformation across a high-profile programme.

If you're looking for your next stretch opportunity and want to make a real impact in a complex, enterprise setting, we'd love to hear from you.

Some of the key accountabilities of this role are:

• Working closely with the supported business, to implement and deliver the HR Strategy/People Plan to include talent, succession planning and change management, in order to support the delivery of business objectives and drive a high-performance culture.
• Work closely and building strong relationships with members of the supported business senior leadership team and other relevant stakeholders. Coach advises and challenge, where appropriate, business leaders on short- and medium-term HR issues as required.
• Lead on HR data and people analytics within the TRU HR team, using data, metrics and insight to identify trends, inform decision making and drive measurable improvements in organisational performance
• Provide operational HR support on (for example) organisation change, senior appointments, salary and bonus, graduate or apprentice programmes.
• Successfully deliver client responsive, cost effective and integrated people solutions that address key business objectives, gaining acceptance from key stakeholders.
• Reinforce the ownership of people management by the business and line managers and support the HR delivery model.
• Work with the broader HR function, including Centres of expertise, HR Direct and HR shared services teams to provide the best solutions for the business.
• Work with appropriate Union representatives to support the business in delivering business solutions.
• Liaise with HR Business Partners in other areas of the business in order to work collaboratively on cross business/geographical issues.

We need you to have:

• Understanding of project management principles and experience of managing complex projects to successful conclusion.
• Experience of managing projects to successful conclusion.
• Experience of working within a unionised environment.

It would be advantageous:

• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills, with the ability to use HR systems and tools to produce meaningful insight and recommendations
• 28-day annual leave with the option to buy and sell days
• Choice of pension schemes
• 75% discretionary discount of leisure travel for you and your family5 days paid volunteer or carers leave
• Up to 75% subsidised Rail and Underground travel
• Gym Pass -access to gyms across UK
• My Benefits platform- giving national and local retail discount

Our aim is to ensure your candidate experience is as positive as possible. If you require reasonable adjustments at any point, simply let us know and we'll do our best to assist you.

We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. To discover more about our ED&I commitments click here .We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we'll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process.

Network Rail adheres to a structured pay framework, any salary offered will be within the pay range advertised. If your current salary is above the maximum shown you will transfer into the new role on your current base pay. For more information refer to your pay.

This vacancy is Band 4 C, salary starting £43,588 to £51,719per annum.

Safe behaviouris a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our safety vision .

You’ll be an experienced HR professional who thrives in a complex, fast-paced environment and enjoys working at pace. Confident partnering with senior leaders, you’ll bring a commercial, solutions-focused mindset and a genuine passion for delivering people outcomes that make a difference.

We're looking for someone who can:

• Build strong, credible relationships with senior leaders to drive effective business outcomes
• Lead or support organisational change and transformation with confidence
• Influence, coach and challenge stakeholders to support high-performing teams
• Translate people priorities into practical, business-focused solutions
• Demonstrate strong HR knowledge, ideally supported by CIPD qualification (or equivalent experience)
• Adapt quickly and work collaboratively across a wide range of stakeholders in an evolving environment
• Leverage HR data and people analytics to generate insight, identify trends and provide evidence-based recommendations that drive tangible performance improvements
• Act as a lead within the HR team for people data and analytics, building capability and embedding a data-driven decision-making culture
• Demonstrate strong IT and analytical capability, with the ability to interpret complex data sets and present clear, actionable insights to senior stakeholders

Key Information

Number of Positions:

1

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hours:

Full Time

Location:

Closing Date:

21-SEP-2026

Job Category:

Business, Commercial and Project Management