Lead People Business Partner

Versus Arthritis; London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Versus Arthritis seeks a Lead People Business Partner to enhance workplace culture and support people-related functions. This role drives collaboration across the organization, providing expert advice to foster a positive atmosphere for employees, with an emphasis on equality and continuous improvement. Suitable candidates should possess strong experience in employee relations and team management.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Health and wellbeing support

Learning and personal development opportunities

Generous pension plan with 10% employer contribution

Life Assurance plan (4 x salary)

Employee Assistance Programme

Competitive annual leave policy

Supportive and inclusive culture

Qualifications

• Expert people advice aligning with organizational objectives.
• Manage and deliver people projects successfully.
• Experienced in navigating employee relations complexities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee people business partnering model and team relations.
• Shape a positive, inclusive, high-performing culture.
• Deliver trusted people advice and drive positive change.

Skills

Employee relations

Building teams

Problem solving

Driving cultural change

Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

Job description

Location (UK):Office Hybrid*-London / Chesterfield (potential office relocation to central Sheffield in 2026)

Hours:Full-time 35 hours per week or Part-time 28 hours per week

Contract type:Permanent

Travel:Occasional travel to Versus Arthritis offices (London, Chesterfield, Cardiff, Belfast, Glasgow)

Join us and use your skills, knowledge, passion and energy to help us achieve a future free from arthritis.

We are seeking a Lead People Business Partner to join our People Services team. You will oversee and manage our people business partnering model, leading the team to build strong working relationships and provide expert advice and guidance across all people related matters. With expertise in employer relations and a passion for continuous improvement you will shape a positive, inclusive and high performing culture.

About the role

Our People Business Partners deliver trusted partnering services and help shape a positive, inclusive and high performing culture. Working in collaboration with leaders and managers across the charity, the team drives and embeds positive change. Through effective coaching, influencing and excellent people advice, the team make a significant contribution to our goal of making Versus Arthritis a great place to work and volunteer.

About you

If your knowledge, skills and experience include the following then we’d love to hear from you:

• Delivering expert people advice which aligns to organisational objectives and culture
• Building and leading high performing teams of people professionals
• Leading, managing and successfully delivering people projects and initiative
• Navigating complexities through effective problem solving to deliver impactful results.
• Experienced in employee relations, managing risk and seeking positive outcomes.
• Driving cultural change and proactively embedding change across an organisation.
• Strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

*As a hybrid worker the expectation is that you will spend around 40% of your working time in our office spaces or working in community settings. As an inclusive employer we will consider home-based working for anyone where office-based hybrid working would be a barrier to being able to work for us, for example for someone living with a long-term health condition or disability.

Benefits

Your excellent benefits include:

• Flexible hours, environments and working practices to promote a healthy work/life balance.
• Health and wellbeing support – including the Employee Assistance Programme (free confidential 24/7 support with mental health, legal and financial queries).
• Simplyhealth cash plan.
• Supportive and inclusive culture, with a wide range of employee networks and support groups available to join.
• Learning and personal development opportunities.
• Competitive annual leave, with the option to buy/sell up to five days per year.
• Generous pension plan, with employer contribution of up to 10%.
• Life Assurance plan (4 x salary).

You must be based, and hold the right to work, in the UK to apply for this position.

Application deadline and shortlisting:

• We advise candidates to apply early as we reserve the right to close applications ahead of this date.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

We do not wish to receive contact from agencies or media sales.

Please note that we do not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) during our recruitment and selection processes, and we would respectfully ask that you also refrain from using AI during the selection process. Whilst we do recognise that AI may be a beneficial tool for some when aiding research and preparation for an application or interview, we want to maintain a fair, inclusive and positive recruitment experience at Versus Arthritis where candidates can feel supported to demonstrate their experience, knowledge, and skills without the use of AI generated answers.

Interview

Interviews expected: Tuesday, 22 July 2025.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee you will be offered an interview if you disclose a disability and demonstrate sufficient evidence within your application that you meet the essential criteria for this role. We will also make any reasonable adjustments you may require for your interview.