Senior HR Business Partner

Reed; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Reed is seeking a Senior HR Business Partner in North London to shape workforce strategy, lead organisational change and deliver innovative people solutions for a high-profile public sector environment.

The role requires strategic leadership, partnership with Directors and senior stakeholders, and a focus on inclusion, analytics and continuous improvement within a hybrid working model.

Qualifications

• Significant experience as a senior HR leader in a large, complex organisation.
• Proven track record of leading large-scale change and transformation.
• Expertise in employee relations, workforce planning and talent management.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and advising senior executives.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Directors to develop strategic workforce and org plans.
• Lead HR Business Partnering to deliver high-quality HR solutions.
• Drive complex change programmes and restructures.
• Provide expert advice on employment law and performance issues.
• Develop and implement people strategies for service delivery.
• Lead complex employee relations cases and manage risk.
• Build relationships with trade unions and lead negotiations.
• Use analytics to identify trends and inform decisions.
• Champion equality, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
• Coach and develop HR Partners and Advisors.
• Support senior recruitment and talent management initiatives.
• Represent HR on corporate projects and programmes.

Skills

Senior HR leader

Employee relations

Workforce planning

Organisational development

Talent management

UK employment law

Stakeholder management

Workforce analytics

Education

CIPD Level 7 qualification

MCIPD/FCIPD membership

Job description

Are you an experienced senior HR professional looking to make a meaningful impact within a complex and high-profile public sector environment?

We are partnering with a progressive and ambitious client based in North London to recruit an outstanding Senior HR Business Partner. This is a pivotal leadership position where you will work closely with Directors, senior leaders and key stakeholders to shape workforce strategy, lead organisational change, and deliver innovative people solutions that support excellent public services.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a strategic HR leader who thrives on influencing at the highest levels, leading transformational change, and building high-performing teams.

The Opportunity

As Senior HR Business Partner, you will act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership teams, leading the delivery of a professional, customer-focused HR service that drives organisational performance and supports the achievement of corporate objectives.

You will play a key role in workforce planning, employee relations, organisational development, talent management and culture change, ensuring people strategies are aligned to the organisation's long-term vision.

Working within a collaborative HR leadership team, you will oversee complex people matters, champion best practice, and lead HR initiatives that create a positive and inclusive working environment for employees across the organisation.

Permanent, full-time

Hybrid

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with Directors and senior leaders to develop and deliver strategic workforce and organisational plans.
• Lead the HR Business Partnering function, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, business-focused HR solutions.
• Drive complex organisational change programmes, restructures and transformation initiatives.
• Provide expert advice on employment law, employee relations, performance management and workforce issues.
• Develop and implement innovative people strategies that support service delivery, workforce sustainability and organisational effectiveness.
• Lead on high-profile and complex employee relations cases, managing risk and ensuring compliance with employment legislation.
• Build strong relationships with trade unions and lead effective consultation and negotiation processes.
• Use workforce data, insight and analytics to identify trends, inform decision-making and proactively address people challenges.
• Champion equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility across the organisation.
• Coach, mentor and develop HR Business Partners and Advisors, creating a culture of professional excellence and continuous improvement.
• Support senior recruitment and talent management initiatives to attract, develop and retain exceptional talent.
• Represent HR on corporate projects and organisation-wide programmes, influencing strategic decision-making.

About You

We are seeking a commercially minded and politically astute HR professional who combines strategic thinking with strong operational delivery.

You will bring:

Essential Experience & Knowledge

• Significant experience operating as a senior HR leader within a large, complex organisation.
• Proven success leading large-scale organisational change and transformation programmes.
• Extensive expertise across employee relations, workforce planning, organisational development and talent management.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and its practical application.
• Experience advising senior executives on complex people-related matters.
• Demonstrable success delivering business-focused HR strategies and measurable organisational outcomes.
• Experience building productive relationships with trade unions, stakeholders and senior leadership teams.
• Strong understanding of workforce analytics and using management information to drive decision-making.
• Experience of leading, coaching and developing high-performing HR teams.

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 7 qualification or equivalent professional experience.
• MCIPD or FCIPD membership (or demonstrable equivalent experience).
• Evidence of ongoing professional development and commitment to HR best practice.

Personal Attributes

• A credible and influential relationship builder.
• An exceptional communicator with outstanding stakeholder management skills.
• Resilient, confident and able to navigate complex and sensitive situations.
• Strategic, analytical and solutions-focused.
• Passionate about leadership, inclusion and continuous improvement.
• Highly professional, ethical and capable of handling sensitive and confidential information.

Why Join?

This organisation offers the opportunity to shape the future workforce of a major public sector employer and make a tangible difference to local communities.

You'll join a forward-thinking leadership team committed to:

• Employee wellbeing and engagement.
• Diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Innovation and continuous improvement.
• Professional development and career growth.
• Delivering excellent public services.

If you are an accomplished HR leader looking for your next strategic challenge, we'd love to hear from you.