People Business Partner

The Co-operative Bank; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A notable UK banking institution is seeking a People Business Partner to manage employee relations and provide strategic HR support. The role involves partnering with leadership teams, managing complex ER issues, and driving HR initiatives. Located in Manchester, this position offers a hybrid working model with excellent employee benefits including holidays, pension, and wellbeing support.

Benefits

27 days holiday rising to 30 with service

Up to 10% employer pension contribution

Wellbeing support and mental health resources

Corporate discounts and Cycle to Work Scheme

Colleague network groups for inclusion

Qualifications

• Broad understanding of HR processes linked to employee lifecycle.
• Experience managing complex ER cases up to Employment Tribunal resolution.
• Approachable, respected, able to connect with colleagues at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Partner with leaders providing support in handling complex ER matters.
• Assess key people metrics to identify issues and recommend solutions.
• Coach leaders to minimize formal ER cases and maximize effectiveness.

Skills

Employee Relation Management

Complex Problem Solving

Employment Law Expertise

Coaching/Mentoring

Detail-Oriented Communication

Job description

People Business Partner CR3 - up to £50,000 12 Month FTC Hybrid working - Manchester or Coventry 2 days a week in office Closing Date - 15/10/2025 Want to change the world? Choose a career that makes a difference

At The Co-operative Bank we're proud to be different. We're proud of our values and ethics, and our unique, customer-led Ethical Policy that shapes everything we do.

Born out of the co-operative movement over 150 years ago, you could say that doing the right thing has always been our thing. We don't just help people with their money, but help people fight for justice and the causes they care about. We put people at the heart of every decision we make and there's never been a more important time for our Bank to stand up for the causes that matter most to our customers, colleagues and partner organisations. Join us and help us continue to make progress in environmental and societal change, all with the UK's original ethical bank.

We promote a hybrid-working environment, which means you will work at our office in Manchester roughly twice a week and then remotely from home. To enable you to work from home, you will need have a suitable office set up which includes a desk and a chair in a location, which is free from the interruptions of day-to-day life.

The Role:

You will play a key role partnering with functional and business leaders across the Bank, working on complex ER cases, leading key projects to drive future improvements, providing specialist advice and guidance to reduce people risk and drive commercially appropriate solutions to people related issues. You'll also be responsible for partnering with our leadership teams to provide high quality, commercially focussed People strategy support ensuring delivery of business plans within the Bank's defined policies, values and risk appetite

Key Accountabilities:

• Partner with leaders providing best practice and pragmatic support in handling complex employee relation (ER) matters (including but not limited to investigations, performance management, absence management, grievances, disciplinary, and appeals).
• Regularly assess key people metrics (absence, attrition, development, including & diversity) to identify potential issues and make recommendations using centres of excellence where appropriate to implement solutions to mitigate.
• Support change programmes and collective issues being the point of contact for the business from the People Function on these matters.
• Ensure business areas have appropriate capability to meet current and future demand, ensure appropriate reward and retention strategies are in place engaging with COE's for expertise
• Coach and influence leaders to identify and respond to people issues and opportunities in order to minimise formal ER cases, maximise the effectiveness of their people and to facilitate delivery of operational business plans

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required:

• Broad, generalist understanding of all HR processes and activities linked to the employee lifecycle
• Demonstrable experience in managing complex ER cases up to Employment Tribunal resolution
• Experienced in handling difficult conversations, navigating complexities and disagreements whilst maintaining neutral
• Expert employment law knowledge and continuous professional development to maintain this
• Approachable, respected and responsive - able to connect with colleagues at all levels
• Supportive team player with strong drive to create a positive work environment
• Solution-focussed and commercially aware - able to make independent decisions, managing conflicting priorities in a fast paced environment
• Mentoring, Coaching or mediation experience desirable
• Applies solid judgment ensuring integrity, compliance and confidentiality
• Detail-oriented with succinct written and verbal communication skills

What You Can Expect From Us:

• Flexible and home working options
• 27 days holiday rising to 30 with service, plus opportunity to buy 5 extra days
• Competitive pension with up to 10% employer contribution
• Income protection / life assurance
• Commitment from employers on continued learning & development
• Wellbeing support 'Help@Hand' offers mental health support, physiotherapy, GP's for both you and your family.
• 2 paid days for volunteering per year
• 'MyReward' corporate discount for over 800 retailers and Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Family friendly policies and supportive working environment
• Colleague network groups committed to inclusion and diversity within our Bank.

We can only consider candidates with the right to work in the UK at this time. Our Bank is passionate and committed to continuing to create a diverse workforce and an inclusive environment where all colleagues can fulfil their potential. At the beginning of the year, The Co-operative Bank officially became part of the Coventry Building Society Group. Together, we have shared values and an ethical approach towards our members, customers and colleagues.

As a reputable employer regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, all offers of employment for this role are subject to a series of background checks, including criminal (DBS) and financial checks.