People Business Partner in Essex

Affinia is the UK’s fastest growing purpose-led, purpose-built Accountancy firm, focused on building stronger, more valuable relationships. With over 1000 colleagues across the East, South East, London and the Midlands, we are dedicated to supporting our clients, colleagues and communities. We advise businesses, public sector organisations, charities and individuals throughout the UK and internationally across six Service Lines – Accounts Solution, Taxation, Audit & Assurance, Corporate Finance, Payroll and Corporate Recovery, supported by centralised enabling functions spanning People, Finance, Marketing, Business Support, IT, Risk and Corporate Development.

Our team also offer in-depth sector expertise across a number of sectors, ensuring our clients receive the best short to medium and long-term advice, tailored to them. We are committed to delivering excellence in every aspect of our work, adapting to the evolving technology and regulatory landscape while consistently exceeding client expectations. Our people are our most valuable asset. We are therefore committed to supporting our colleagues throughout their professional development, providing guidance and training at whatever stage of their career they join us.

Purpose Of The Role

Affinia is currently seeking a high-calibre, dynamic, and commercially minded People Business Partner to join the people team, partnering closely with business leaders and managers to deliver strategic and operational people solutions aligned to the firm’s growth objectives. This role plays a critical part in supporting leaders across specific Regions in the business by providing trusted HR advice, driving people initiatives, and embedding best practice HR frameworks. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced HR professional to make a tangible impact on the future of the Affinia group as we continue our growth journey.

The People Business Partner will work collaboratively with senior stakeholders, including business leaders and managers, to support workforce planning, talent and performance management, employee relations, and organisational change initiatives. The role involves working closely as part of a strong and collaborative People team, supporting cyclical HR activity and a range of people focused projects across the business.

The People Business Partner will act as a key advisor to leaders and managers on employee relations and people advisory matters, while also contributing to learning and development, people metrics and reporting, employee engagement, and culture initiatives. The role will require effective stakeholder management, the ability to influence at all levels, and a proactive approach to identifying and addressing people challenges.

In addition, the People Business Partner will promote and embed Affinia’s values, culture, and ethical practices, support wellbeing and mental health initiatives, and act as an HR representative at local office and client-facing events. The role will also provide guidance and mentoring to People Advisors/Assistants, supporting capability development within the People function.

Accountabilities

• Partner closely with People Managers and key leaders across the region to proactively address and resolve people related matters, balancing commercial outcomes with a fair and supportive employee experience.
• Support effective workforce planning and ensure HR policies, frameworks, and best practice are consistently applied and embedded across all people processes.

Key accountabilities include, but are not restricted to:

• Employee Relations And HR Advisory
  • Partner with managers and team leaders to address employee issues, support workforce planning, and ensure HR policies are consistently applied.
  • Manage Employee Relations cases, including disciplinaries, grievances, and capability issues, ensuring compliance with employment law and best practice.
  • Advise managers on day-to-day HR policies and procedures, providing practical guidance and coaching where required.
  • Keep up to date with employment law, regulatory changes, and HR best practice, ensuring policies and advice remain compliant and aligned with business needs.
• Learning And Development
  • Lead the development and implementation of training programs to enhance managerial leadership and people management skills, alongside the L&D Lead.
  • Coach managers to improve team performance, employee engagement, and managerial effectiveness.
  • Support onboarding initiatives for new hires to ensure smooth integration into the business.
  • Deliver training programmes as required.
• People Metrics And Reporting
  • Track key people metrics such as absence, turnover, compliance, and other workforce data to inform decisions and identify trends.
  • Support gender pay gap reporting, employment rights initiatives, and other statutory reporting requirements.
  • Support workforce planning and resourcing strategies to ensure the office can meet current and future business needs.
• Employee Engagement And Culture
  • Lead action planning following local employee engagement surveys, supporting initiatives to improve employee experience.
  • Drive diversity and inclusion initiatives, including participation in committees such as RIALTO.
  • Support integration following acquisitions, including post 3-12 month surveys, onboarding and culture alignment.
  • Support the onboarding of new joiners throughout their probation, ensuring managers are equipped with the guidance, resources, and tools needed for a successful integration of new starters into the business.
• Organisational Change And Projects
  • Provide guidance and HR support during organisational change, restructuring and M&A activities, ensuring smooth transitions and integration of talent and culture.
  • Lead or contribute to HR-related projects aimed at improving business operations, efficiency, and employee experience.
  • Proactively support policy development and continuous improvement of HR practices.
• Stakeholder Management
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with senior leaders and key stakeholders across the business.
  • Act as the main point of contact for people queries, providing expert advice and tailored solutions aligned to business strategy.

Additional Responsibilities

• Promote and embed company values, culture, and ethical practices across the office.
• Support wellbeing initiatives, mental health programs, and employee recognition schemes.
• Act as an HR representative at local office or client-facing events, strengthening the HR-business partnership presence.
• Support and mentor HR Advisors/Assistants/Administrators.

Skills/Qualifications

The ideal individual will have demonstrated experience operating as a People or HR Business Partner, providing pragmatic and commercially focused people advice to leaders and managers. They will have strong exposure to employee relations, HR advisory support, workforce planning, and the delivery of cyclical people processes including performance, remuneration and talent management. They will possess well developed interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships and engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels. A strong commercial mindset, combined with sound judgement and discretion, is essential to balance business outcomes with a positive employee experience.

The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate HR advice, prepare high quality documentation, and deliver a consistent and professional standard of service to internal stakeholders. They will be comfortable working in a fast paced, evolving environment and able to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail. Relevant qualifications in Human Resources, Employment Relations, Business or a related discipline are desirable. CIPD Level 5 or Level 7 accreditation (or working towards) would be a distinct advantage, alongside a strong working knowledge of employment legislation and contemporary HR best practice.

Core Benefits

At Affinia, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth. Alongside a flexible and inclusive work environment, we offer the following core benefits: Dress for your Diary Policy.

Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested. Affinia is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.

Recruitment Privacy Notice

Affinia will use the personal data you provide for recruitment purposes, including assessing suitability, communicating with you, arranging interviews and completing pre-employment checks. Our lawful bases include contractual necessity, legal obligations and our legitimate interests in managing recruitment. For full details on how we handle personal data, please see our Privacy Policy.