Human Resources (HR) Business Partner

Astroscale UK is seeking to grow our exceptional HR Operations team with the addition of an HR Business Partner. The role will join our Head of HR Operations, Advisor and Administrator – alongside a Talent function – in supporting our growing business in the UK. Taking ownership of lifecycle activities, working with managers across all functions of the business, and leading on delegated projects in order to enhance our employee experience. This role will provide you with a great opportunity to experience a broad variety of HR Operational topics, and be a key part of our organisational successes.

Responsibilities

• Business Partnering – developing relationships across the organisation, understanding and interpreting HR needs for different departments, and maintaining consistency in key topics.
• Employee lifecycle – advising managers and employees on HR processes and policies related to lifecycle events, supporting with non-standard letters and documents, supporting reasonable adjustment implementations for a range of requirements (e.g. Neurodiversity, Menopause).
• Employee Relations – Supporting teams and managers through conflicts, queries and performance challenges, leveraging a range of resources, and ensuring the fair application of policies. Working with external parties, where appropriate, to positively manage our social climate.
• Reward, Compensation and Benefits – Promotion of our benefits package to employees, reviewing and updating our overall offering, and supporting the renewal process.
• Compliance, Policies and Processes – Delivering delegated actions from company-wide working groups, developing and updating HR processes and policies ensuring compliance with legislation, actively communicate and upskill others on compliance, policies and processes.
• Support the Talent and wider HR team, as time and topics allow.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience in an HR Business Partner or generalist HR role within a complex engineering environment.
• Strong capability in building effective relationships across functions, with the ability to understand differing departmental needs and provide consistent, pragmatic HR advice.
• Solid knowledge of UK employment law and confidence in applying policies fairly and consistently across employee lifecycle activities.
• Demonstrable experience advising on a wide range of employee relations matters, including performance management, conflict resolution, compensation and benefits.
• Experience supporting managers and employees through end-to-end employee lifecycle processes, including drafting bespoke documentation and handling non-standard cases.
• Ability to manage sensitive topics with professionalism and empathy, including reasonable adjustments and wellbeing-related matters (e.g. neurodiversity, menopause support).
• Experience reviewing, developing, and implementing HR policies and processes in line with regulatory requirements.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to upskill managers and drive adoption of HR best practices.
• Good organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities across multiple HR topics.
• Collaborative mindset, with a proactive approach to supporting wider HR and Talent initiatives.

Desirable skills

• CIPD qualification (Level 5 or Level 7), or working towards completion.
• Experience working within space or similar deep tech/advanced manufacturing sector.
• Experience delivering or contributing to company-wide HR projects or working groups.
• Experience engaging with external partners (e.g. occupational health, mediators, or legal advisers).
• Experience coaching or developing line managers to build confidence in people management.
• Exposure to HR systems and process improvement initiatives.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary.
• Opportunity to work with a highly talented, diverse & dynamic international team with cutting edge technology.
• Flexible working around core hours in a friendly and supportive environment.
• Optional 9/75 working pattern.
• Hybrid working available (dependent on individual role requirements).
• 25 days holiday (increasing yearly up to a maximum of 28 days) + 8 days Bank Holiday.
• Life insurance and long-term sick pay.
• Private healthcare (taxable benefit).
• Relocation allowance considered.
• Regular social events.

Location

Astroscale UK (Harwell).

About Astroscale

Founded in 2013, Astroscale is the global leader in on-orbit servicing, dedicated to the secure and sustainable development of space for the benefit of future generations. We provide trusted and value-added solutions for government and commercial clients from their geography of choice, to drive the long-term, circular space economy. Astroscale is also collaborating with government and commercial stakeholders to develop norms, regulations, and incentives that promote the sustainable growth of space.

At Astroscale we pride ourselves on our inclusive culture. Our essential criteria are based solely on the requirements necessary to perform the role. If any criteria could present a barrier, we are open to discussing reasonable adjustments and are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process. Astroscale is also open to supporting job share arrangements, to further our flexible working offering.