At a Glance
- Tasks: Support our people agenda and build strong relationships across the organisation.
- Company: Join Avanti West Coast, a diverse and inclusive workplace.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Regular travel required; embrace your individuality and thrive with us.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR, strong employment law knowledge, and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you an HR expert who loves balancing strategic thinking with hands on operational impact? We are seeking 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. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced HR professional who is comfortable working in a fast-paced, customer-focused, and unionised environment.
About the Role:
- Build strong, effective relationships with senior leaders, operational managers, colleagues, and trade union representatives.
- Provide clear, pragmatic advice on a full range of employment matters, highlighting risks and guiding managers towards sound, compliant decisions.
- Work closely with our HR Services team and subject matter experts to deliver a consistent, high quality HR service.
- Support the implementation and embedding of organisational and industry-wide changes, working collaboratively with trade unions.
- Maintain a strong presence across our stations, depots, and offices, ensuring HR remains visible, accessible, and aligned to the needs of the business.
- Contribute directly to the delivery of key business objectives through proactive workforce planning, engagement, and problem-solving.
This role requires regular travel across our network and a commitment to being in the workplace for the majority of the working week. One day per week you will be required to work from our Head office located in Birmingham.
About You:
- Has experience in a customer-focused, operational, and ideally unionised environment.
- Is a well-rounded HR generalist with strong employment law knowledge.
- 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 reliable, professional advisor at all levels.
Qualifications:
- Degree-level education or CIPD Level 7 qualification (preferred).
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.
Strategic HR Business Partner in London employer: Avanti West Coast
At Avanti West Coast, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values diversity and fosters a supportive work culture. As a Strategic HR Business Partner, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a dynamic, customer-focused environment while enjoying robust employee growth opportunities and a commitment to work-life balance. Our Birmingham headquarters serves as a hub for collaboration, ensuring that your contributions are recognised and celebrated across our extensive operational network.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic HR Business Partner in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the HR field. Attend industry events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more connections you make, the better your chances of landing that Strategic HR Business Partner role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, be ready to discuss your experience in customer-focused and unionised environments. Share specific examples of how you've influenced senior managers and tackled challenges head-on.
✨Tip Number 3
Be visible and approachable! If you're already in the game, make sure you're known in your current workplace. Build relationships with colleagues and managers, so they see you as a reliable advisor. This visibility can lead to great opportunities down the line.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application come through directly. It shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at Avanti West Coast. Plus, it gives us a chance to see your enthusiasm right from the start!
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic HR Business Partner in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Strategic HR Business Partner role. Highlight your experience in customer-focused and unionised environments, as well as your strong employment law knowledge.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've built strong relationships with senior leaders and provided pragmatic advice on employment matters.
Showcase Your Adaptability:In your application, emphasise your ability to adapt to changing priorities and your resilience in fast-paced environments. We want to see how you’ve successfully navigated challenges in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Avanti West Coast
✨Know Your HR Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your employment law knowledge and HR best practices. Be ready to discuss how you've navigated complex HR situations in the past, especially in unionised environments. This will show that you're not just a generalist but someone who can provide clear, pragmatic advice.
✨Build Relationships
Since this role involves working closely with senior leaders and trade union representatives, think about how you can demonstrate your relationship-building skills. Prepare examples of how you've successfully influenced or coached managers in previous roles, highlighting your ability to build trust quickly.
✨Be Ready for Change
This position requires adaptability, so be prepared to discuss how you've managed change in the workplace. Share specific instances where you've supported organisational changes and how you ensured that HR remained visible and accessible during those transitions.
✨Show Your Customer Focus
As the role is customer-focused, think about how you've prioritised employee needs in your previous positions. Be ready to share examples of how you've engaged with employees to understand their concerns and how you've proactively addressed them to contribute to key business objectives.
