Senior Human Resources Business Partner

Network Rail Limited; Lincoln; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Senior Human Resources Business Partner to enhance performance through strategic HR initiatives. This role involves collaborating with senior leaders, managing change, and fostering a high-performance culture. The ideal candidate will possess strong business acumen and a CIPD qualification, with a passion for developing talent and improving people management practices. Join us to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Up to 28 days annual leave

75% off Leisure Travel and Season Ticket

Flexible working arrangements

Healthcare

Gym memberships

Qualifications

• Proven experience partnering with senior leaders to improve people management.
• Experience managing complex change programmes like TUPE and redundancies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the HR Strategy/People Plan.
• Manage trade union relationships and support change programmes.
• Coach and advise senior business leaders.

Skills

Business Acumen

Coaching

Communication

Negotiation

Influencing

Education

CIPD Qualification

Graduate Calibre

Job description

Join Network Rail - Where People and Connections Matter

Vacancy: Senior Human Resources Business Partner

Role Type: Permanent

Network Rail Benefits: To find out about what benefits we offer, click here. At Network Rail, you will have a clear development path with access to training and additional qualifications. You can enjoy a range of employee benefits, such as up to 28 days annual leave, 75% of Leisure Travel and Season Ticket for travel, a range of pension options, flexible and agile working arrangements, healthcare, discounts on shopping, gym memberships, and much more.

Brief Description

The Senior HR Business Partner will play a pivotal role as a trusted partner to the route’s senior leadership team, proactively identifying and addressing the people-related needs of the business to enhance overall performance. In close collaboration with the wider HR function, the Senior HRBP will drive the implementation of the People Plan and HR strategy, aligning them with the route's strategic goals. Key responsibilities include leading critical workstreams such as talent and succession planning, employee relations, performance management, employee engagement, and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI), while leading the delivery of HR projects that align with business priorities. The Senior HRBP will provide expert coaching to senior & mid-level leaders, enhancing leadership capability, strengthening people management practices, and fostering a high-performance culture across the business.

The role also involves developing and mentoring the HR Business Partner team, fostering a collaborative and high-performing HR function, and building capability within the team to drive strategic HR initiatives and support the route effectively.

A key focus is to elevate the people management skills of line managers, promoting accountability, leadership effectiveness, and organizational success. The Senior HRBP will deputize for the Head of HR as required, taking on leadership responsibilities across the broader HR agenda.

This role demands a strategic, solution-focused approach, leveraging commercial insight and resilience to address operational and long-term people challenges, influencing at all levels to deliver measurable business impact.

About the role (External)

Key Accountabilities:

• Develop, drive, and implement the HR Strategy/People Plan in collaboration with the supported business areas, focusing on talent, succession planning, and change management to support business objectives and foster a high-performance culture.
• Build strong relationships with senior business leaders and stakeholders, coaching and advising them, and co-developing integrated people initiatives to meet current and future needs.
• Lead and support change programmes, championing HR solutions within the business area, and gaining stakeholder acceptance.
• Manage trade union relationships proactively, working with Employee Relations teams, HR Business Partners, and managers.
• Reinforce ownership of people management by line managers and promote the HR Business Partner model.
• Collaborate with Centres of Expertise, HR Shared Services, HR Direct, and other HR teams to improve HR services and influence strategic development.

Job Skills, Experience, and Qualifications:

• Strong business acumen and understanding of business needs.
• Proven experience partnering with senior leaders to improve people management.
• Passion for customer service and ability to demonstrate achievements through business outcomes.
• Knowledge of implementing best practice HR solutions to foster high performance.
• Ability to establish credibility quickly.
• Experience coaching, influencing, and building relationships with senior leaders.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
• Experience in talent development and retention strategies.
• CIPD qualification or relevant equivalent experience.
• Experience managing complex change programmes (e.g., TUPE, re-design, redundancies).
• Graduate calibre.
• Experience working in a highly unionized environment, especially supporting Maintenance & Operations functions.
• Understanding of project management principles and complex project execution.

Key Leadership Capabilities:

• Influencing others
• Creating solutions
• Understanding others
• Making things happen
• Thinking flexibly

We encourage applications from diverse backgrounds and underrepresented groups. If this role isn't for you, other opportunities may be available within our wider team.

How to apply (External)

Closing date: 27th May 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.

Click apply now to submit your application.

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