At a Glance
- Tasks: Partner with leaders to shape people strategies and enhance organisational culture.
- Company: Join Arup, a forward-thinking company committed to diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible benefits, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Be part of a collaborative team that values your unique perspective.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by guiding leaders through complex people decisions.
- Qualifications: Experience as an HR Business Partner in a dynamic environment is essential.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
The HR Business Partner is accountable for operationalising the People Plan by connecting Arup’s business strategy to the day‑to‑day realities of the business, ensuring that people priorities are translated into decisions and actions that enable business performance and delivery of our strategy, including workforce planning, capability development, and member experience. Business Partners work alongside leaders to shape decisions on performance, capability, organisation, and culture as well as delivering the cyclical activities and moments that matter for our members. They bring together insight, judgement, and people expertise to guide leaders through complex decisions, ensuring outcomes are aligned to both business priorities and Arup’s values.
The role requires experienced professionals who can operate credibly with leaders, apply sound judgement in complex and sensitive situations, and ensure that people work is effectively led within the business.
Business Leadership Partnership- Partner with leaders to shape decisions on performance, capability, organisation, and culture.
- Translate business priorities into clear people actions and plans that deliver measurable business outcomes.
- Partner with leaders to shape workforce plans, ensuring the right capability, capacity, and deployment of talent to meet business needs.
- Provide thoughtful challenge and guidance with sound commercial acumen, supporting leaders to navigate trade‑offs and make informed decisions.
- Build leadership capability through coaching, influence, and feedback.
- Ensure cyclical people processes (talent, performance, reward, workforce planning) are effectively led and drive strong performance and feedback culture within the business.
- Facilitate and guide key moments such as talent reviews, succession discussions, and performance outcomes.
- Support leaders to make well‑judged, fair, and commercially sound decisions on pay, progression, and performance.
- Apply global approaches and tools in a way that reflects business context and need.
- Bring together performance, reward, engagement, employee relations, talent, learning, and inclusion into integrated, forward‑looking advice.
- Use data, insight, and experience to diagnose organisational challenges and identify priorities.
- Shape a consistent and high‑quality member experience across the employee lifecycle, with a focus on engagement, belonging, and wellbeing.
- Guide leaders through complex and sensitive people decisions with sound judgement and care.
- Identify patterns, risks, and opportunities, and take action with leaders to address them.
Is this role right for you? We Are Looking For Individuals Who:
- Have operated as an HR Business Partner in a complex matrix organisation with a focus on operational excellence and delivery.
- Have a growth mindset, a high level of curiosity and flexibility in their approach.
- Confident working with and drawing insights from multiple data sets to support decision‑making.
- Are creative problem solvers with a high level of initiative and a sense of personal accountability.
- Are highly skilled at relationship management with senior stakeholders and are accustomed to resistance to change.
- Have experience in professional services.
- HR professional qualification or equivalent experience.
What We Offer You
At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together. Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do. We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts. We also provide Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accident insurance and Income protection cover. In addition, you’ll have access to flexible benefits to help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.
Different People, Shared Values
Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence. Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross‑cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference.
Discover more about life at Arup at www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup.
Senior People Business Partner in Cardiff employer: Arup
Arup is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and wellbeing of its members, offering a comprehensive total reward package that includes competitive pay, profit sharing, and extensive health benefits. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, Arup fosters a collaborative work culture where employees can thrive, engage in meaningful projects, and develop their careers through continuous learning opportunities. Located in a dynamic environment, this role as a Senior People Business Partner allows you to make a significant impact while aligning with the company's values and purpose.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior People Business Partner in Cardiff
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Arup!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Arup.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior People Business Partner in Cardiff
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Arup. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Arup and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Arup. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Arup's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Arup
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Arup.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Arup will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Arup and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
