At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape strategic people initiatives and partner with senior leaders in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Values-led organisation committed to environmental and social prosperity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, private healthcare, flexible working, and generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Join a diverse team dedicated to supporting communities and driving change.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on organisational transformation and foster an inclusive workplace.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR leadership and a commitment to creating thriving cultures.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 90000 £ per year.
Salary: £80,000-£90,000 per annum (circa dependent on skills and experience)
Benefits: Private healthcare, virtual GP service for you and your household, double-matched pension (up to 18% combined)
Location: Huntingdon / Hybrid
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full time (flexibility for part time working)
Important
This is a values-led, strategic role, and we want to understand what drives you as a senior HR leader and how our purpose and values resonate with you. Please include a cover letter outlining your motivation for applying. Applications without a cover letter may not be progressed.
Our purpose is to bring environmental and social prosperity to the region we serve through our commitment to Love Every Drop. Underpinned by our core values - Do the Right Thing, Always Exploring and Build Trust - we’re shaping a resilient, future-focused business that delivers for customers, communities and the environment.
The Opportunity
As a Senior HR Business Partner, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering strategic people initiatives that align with our values while enabling commercial success. You’ll partner one of our major business areas - Water Services, Water Recycling Services, or Customer, Operational & Enterprise Services - acting as a trusted advisor to senior leaders.
You will lead through a multi-year period of organisational transformation and capability evolution. The scale is significant, the complexity is high, and the impact is real. Working at the heart of strategic decision-making, you’ll help shape the experience of thousands of colleagues while strengthening organisational performance.
This role calls for credibility, calm judgement and enterprise thinking. You’ll be ready to influence beyond a single directorate, balancing strategic insight, commercial thinking and exceptional people leadership, while fostering a nurturing, inclusive and values-led workplace.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Provide outstanding HR business partnering to senior stakeholders, acting as a trusted advisor and critical friend
- Shape people strategy across transformation, ensuring alignment to business objectives and organisational values
- Lead strategic workforce planning, organisation design, talent, succession, engagement and cultural change
- Build leadership and partnering capability, enabling leaders and HR colleagues to confidently manage change and performance
- Use insight, data and commercial understanding to drive informed decisions and sustainable outcomes
- Work across Employee Relations, Reward, Strategic People Development, Workforce Planning and Shared Services to deliver joined-up, high-quality outcomes
Within the first 12-18 months, you’ll be known for:
- Bringing confidence and clarity in complexity, quickly building credibility with senior leaders
- Leading change that is well managed, lawful and people-centred
- Operating at enterprise level, shaping solutions that strengthen Anglian Water as a whole
- Raising the bar for HR Business Partnering through coaching, consistency and impact
- Balancing cost, risk and delivery with genuine care for people
What We’re Looking For
We’re looking for credible, high-potential Senior HR Business Partners ready to operate at enterprise scale. You’ll bring:
- Proven experience partnering senior leaders in large, complex or operational organisations
- Confidence operating in high-risk, high-change environments
- Strong judgement, composure and the ability to influence without relying on authority
- A dynamic, curious and proactive approach, with the ability to build trusted relationships at all levels
- A genuine commitment to creating inclusive cultures where people can thrive
Qualifications & Experience
- Educated to degree level or equivalent in an HR-related discipline
- CIPD qualified (or equivalent professional experience)
- Evidence of ongoing commitment to Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
- Full UK Driving Licence
Why Join Us?
Our customers come from all walks of life, and we want our teams to reflect that. We’re committed to building a workplace where everyone feels seen, supported and empowered to succeed.
We proudly support:
- The Social Mobility Pledge
- Business in the Community's Race at Work Charter
- Armed Forces Covenant (Gold)
- Disability Confident Employer
- The Women’s Utility Network
Ready to dive in?
Closing date: Monday 4th May
Interviews: Thursday 21st May
Senior HR Business Partner employer: Anglian Water
As a Senior HR Business Partner at Anglian Water, you will join a values-led organisation committed to environmental and social prosperity, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture. With competitive benefits such as private healthcare and a generous pension scheme, alongside opportunities for professional growth and development, this role allows you to make a meaningful impact while working in a dynamic and transformative environment in Huntingdon. Embrace the chance to shape strategic people initiatives that resonate with our core values and contribute to a resilient future.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior HR Business Partner
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company’s values and mission inside out. When you’re in that interview, weave them into your answers. Show us how your personal values align with ours, especially around doing the right thing and building trust.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare some solid examples of how you've led change in previous roles. We want to hear about your experience in complex environments and how you’ve influenced senior leaders without relying on authority. Bring those stories to life!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just focus on your HR skills; highlight your commercial acumen too. We’re looking for someone who can balance people strategies with business objectives, so be ready to discuss how you’ve done this in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, don’t forget to ask questions during the interview! Show us you’re curious and engaged. Ask about our transformation plans or how we foster an inclusive culture. It’ll demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and the company.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior HR Business Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure to express your motivation for applying and how our values resonate with you. We want to see your passion for the role and how you can contribute to our mission.
Showcase Your Experience:When detailing your experience, focus on your achievements in HR business partnering. Highlight specific examples where you've influenced senior leaders or led successful change initiatives. We love seeing real impact!
Align with Our Values:Remember, we’re all about doing the right thing and building trust. In your application, reflect on how your personal values align with ours. This will help us see you as a great fit for our team!
Apply Through Our Website:To make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and keep everything organised. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Anglian Water
✨Know Your Values
Before the interview, take some time to really understand the company's core values: Do the Right Thing, Always Exploring, and Build Trust. Think about how these resonate with your own experiences and leadership style. Be ready to share specific examples that demonstrate your alignment with these values.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Insight
As a Senior HR Business Partner, you'll need to operate at an enterprise level. Prepare to discuss your experience in shaping people strategies that align with business objectives. Bring along data or case studies that highlight your ability to drive informed decisions and sustainable outcomes in complex environments.
✨Demonstrate Change Management Skills
This role involves leading through organisational transformation. Be prepared to talk about your past experiences managing change effectively. Highlight how you've balanced cost, risk, and delivery while ensuring a people-centred approach. Use real-life examples to illustrate your calm judgement and ability to influence without authority.
✨Craft a Compelling Cover Letter
Don't skip this step! Your cover letter is your chance to express your motivation for applying. Make it personal and reflective of your passion for creating inclusive cultures where people can thrive. Share why you believe in the company's purpose of bringing environmental and social prosperity, and how you can contribute to that mission.
