Strategic HR Business Partner Flight Operations (FTC/24 Months)

British Airways PLC; City Of London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading airline is seeking a Strategic HR Business Partner for Flight Operations. In this pivotal role, you will partner with senior leadership to shape a strategic people plan for over 4,500 staff. Ideal candidates will have substantial experience in organizational development and a strong ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments. The position offers extensive staff travel benefits and opportunities for career advancement.

Benefits

Unlimited standby tickets

Discounted airfares for family and friends

Opportunities for career advancement

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Strategic HR Business Partner in a large, complex organization.
• Strong track record in implementing performance frameworks.
• Confidence in using data and analytics to shape decisions.

Responsibilities

• Partner with leadership to design a people plan for 4,500 colleagues.
• Drive organization design and succession planning.
• Influence senior leaders while balancing business and people priorities.

Skills

Organisational development

Performance management

Data and analytics

Stakeholder management

Union relations

Education

CIPD qualification preferred

Job description

Overview

A career without limits

As the nation's flag carrier, we take great pride in connecting Britain with the world and the world with Britain.

It's something we've been doing for over 100 years, ever since we launched the world's first international scheduled air service between London and Paris.

This originality has been in our blood since day one. It's the spirit we share with the people that fly with us, our partners, and our colleagues.

So, whether you are a reassuring voice on the end of a phone, a smile at the door, under a wing keeping the turbines spinning or landing us gently in far-flung places, a job at British Airways is yours to make.

We know great things can happen when you're inspired to think big and bring your ambition to work every day, which is why, at British Airways the sky is never the limit.

The role

Strategic HR Business Partner Flight Operations

Flight Operations is one of the most complex and high profile directorates at British Airways, home to our pilots, operations teams, and safety critical functions. We are looking for an experienced Strategic HR Business Partner (SHRBP) to work directly with the Flight Operations leadership team to shape, challenge and deliver a people strategy that enables safe, efficient, and high performing operations.

This is not a generic HRBP role. You will need to bring significant experience from large, complex organisations, the ability to navigate senior leadership dynamics and unionised environments, and the gravitas to influence at the highest levels while building trust across a diverse stakeholder base.

Flight Operations is a fast paced, safety critical environment where every decision counts. It is also one of the most rewarding directorates to partner with - offering you the chance to influence the strategy and culture of one of the most iconic pilot groups in the world. This role requires courage, commercial acumen, and strong HR leadership but for the right person, it offers real impact at the heart of British Airways.

What you'll do

• Partner with the Director of Flight Operations and their leadership team to design and deliver a strategic people plan covering c.4,500 colleagues.
• Drive organisation design, succession planning, leadership frameworks, and workforce planning for highly skilled and regulated populations (including pilots).
• Lead initiatives on pay, performance management, leadership coaching, and the embedding of a performance culture.
• Advise and influence senior leaders, balancing business performance with regulatory, safety, and people priorities.
• Work with unions and representative groups to shape constructive industrial relations, addressing complex ER cases with resilience and professionalism.
• Use HR data and analytics to anticipate workforce risks (e.g. absenteeism, skills shortages) and drive evidence based decision making.
• Act as a trusted adviser to leaders who may be challenging or resistant, holding your ground while maintaining effective relationships.

What we're looking for

• Proven experience as a Strategic HR Business Partner in a large, complex, and highly regulated organisation.
• Strong track record in organisational development, succession planning, and implementing performance frameworks at scale.
• Expertise across the full HR spectrum: pay, ER (including grievances), leadership development, talent and workforce planning.
• Organisational astuteness and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments, influencing, coaching, and challenging senior leaders and unions with credibility and resilience.
• Confidence in using data and analytics to shape decisions and measure impact.
• A pragmatic, resilient HR leader who knows what good looks like and can implement it with pace.
• CIPD qualification preferred, but not essential with equivalent experience.

What we offer

We believe that all the people who work with us should feel valued for the part they play. It's one of the reasons our rewards go far beyond a competitive salary.

From the day you join us, you'll get access to brilliant staff travel benefits including unlimited basic and premium standby tickets on British Airways flights. You'll also receive up to 30 discounted Hotline' airfares per year for yourself, friends, and family.

At British Airways you'll have the chance to take on new challenges and move forward in a way that feels right for you. We encourage all those who work for us to consider opportunities right across our business to help you develop and progress.

We never stand still, and we don't expect our people to either.

Inclusion & Diversity

At British Airways we all have a part to play in creating an inclusive place to work. Diverse representation among our people is really important to us and we recognise that all our colleagues are uniquely different and bring their own originality, creativity and identity to work.

Inclusion and diversity is a key driver of innovation and we're committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they can be themselves. We're looking for people from all backgrounds and cultures to join us and be a part of our journey to become a Better BA as we continue to connect Britain with the world and the world with Britain.