Strategic HR Business Partner (FTC 12 months)

Avanti West Coast; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Final salary pension

Free travel on Avanti West Coast

Privilege Travel card (75% off)

30 days holiday increasing with tenure

10 free journeys on other First Group

Job summary

Avanti West Coast is seeking a Strategic HR Business Partner to support our people agenda across a diverse operational network. The 12-month fixed-term contract involves working with senior leaders and operational teams to drive people initiatives and HR strategy in a fast-paced, unionised environment.

You will travel across our network, with 1–2 days at the Birmingham Head Office and remaining time supporting locations nationwide.

Qualifications

• Degree-level education or equivalent experience.
• CIPD Level 7 qualification is preferred.
• Experience in a customer-focused and operational environment, ideally within a unionised organisation.

Responsibilities

• Build strong relationships with senior leaders, managers and union representatives.
• Provide clear, pragmatic advice across a broad range of employment matters.
• Collaborate with HR Services and SMEs for a high-quality HR service.
• Support organisational and industry-wide change with trade unions.

Skills

HR generalist

Employment law

Stakeholder management

Change management

Coaching managers

Unionised environment

Education

Degree-level education

CIPD Level 7

Job description

Are you an experienced HR professional who enjoys combining strategic thinking with hands-on operational impact?

We’re looking for a confident and capable Strategic HR Business Partner to join our team and play a key role in supporting our people agenda across a diverse operational network.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a 12-month fixed-term contract, available due to an internal move within the team. This is a great opportunity for an experienced HR professional to step into a broad and varied HRBP role, working closely with senior leaders and operational teams to make a real difference across the business.

If you thrive in a fast-paced, customer-focused and unionised environment, enjoy solving complex people challenges and can balance the needs of colleagues with those of the business, we’d love to hear from you.

About the Role

As a Strategic HR Business Partner, you will:

• Build strong and effective relationships with senior leaders, operational managers, colleagues and trade union representatives
• Provide clear, pragmatic advice across a broad range of employment matters, identifying risks and supporting managers to make sound and informed decisions
• Work closely with our HR Services team and HR subject matter experts to deliver a consistent, high-quality HR service
• Support the implementation and embedding of organisational and industry-wide change, working collaboratively with our trade union partners
• Maintain a strong presence across our stations, depots and offices, ensuring HR is visible, accessible and aligned to the needs of the business
• Contribute directly to key business objectives through proactive workforce planning, colleague engagement and effective problem-solving
• Use your HR expertise and commercial understanding to challenge, influence and support leaders in making decisions that have a positive impact on our people and our business
• Lead, coach and develop HR Advisors, driving capability and the delivery of high-quality HR support.

Please see the role profile for more information.

About You

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has experience working in a customer-focused and operational environment, ideally within a unionised organisation
• Brings passion, energy and a positive approach, building strong relationships and making a valuable contribution to the culture and success of the wider HR team.
• Is a well-rounded HR generalist with strong employment law knowledge and experience of managing a broad range of people matters
• Can confidently challenge, influence and coach senior managers
• Is highly organised, resilient and able to adapt to changing priorities
• Builds trust quickly and acts as a credible, professional and pragmatic HR advisor at all levels
• Is comfortable working across a geographically dispersed workforce and enjoys being visible and close to the operation

Working with Us

This role requires regular travel across our network and a commitment to being in the workplace for the majority of the working week. One to two days per week will be based at our Head Office in Birmingham, with the remainder of your time spent supporting our operational locations and teams across the network.

Qualifications

• Degree-level education or equivalent experience
• CIPD Level 7 qualification is preferred

If you’re looking for a role where you can combine strategic HR thinking with real operational impact, build strong relationships and help shape the people agenda across a complex and exciting business, we’d love to hear from you.

Benefits include:

• Final salary pension
• Free travel on Avanti West Coast for you/spouse/partner/dependents
• Privilege Travel card (75% off other train operators fares for leisure travel)
• 30 days holiday rising by 1 for every completed year of service to a maximum of 37 days (inclusive of bank holidays)
• 10 free journeys on other First Group Train Operator

Be You. With Us.

At Avanti West Coast, we believe our strength comes from the unique perspectives, experiences and backgrounds of our people. We are proud to build a workplace where diversity is embraced, and everyone is supported to thrive.

We welcome individuals of all races, religions, ages, genders, gender identities, sexual orientations and abilities. Our goal is to reflect the communities we serve and create an environment where everyone feels valued and heard.

When you join Avanti West Coast, you become part of a close-knit team that encourages authenticity. We want you to bring your whole self to work. No need to change who you are to fit in. Your individuality is what makes us better.

We celebrate it, we respect it and we put it to great use.