At a Glance
- Tasks: Partner with leaders to shape people plans and drive organisational change.
- Company: Join British Airways, a dynamic airline with a commitment to inclusion and diversity.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, staff travel perks, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Be part of a journey to modernise HR practices in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a strategic HR role within a renowned global brand.
- Qualifications: Experience as an HR Business Partner with strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
HR at British Airways is unlike anywhere else. The scale, pace and complexity of our operation, combined with long standing trade union partnerships and layered contractual policies, create an environment that can stretch the most experienced HR professionals. This Strategic HR Business Partner role sits at the heart of that ambition. You’ll work as a trusted partner to senior leaders, shaping people plans that directly support business performance, operational resilience and colleague experience. You won’t simply respond to people issues as they arise; you’ll anticipate them, use data and insight to identify opportunities, and help leaders make confident, balanced decisions in a highly unionised operating environment.
Like many long-established organisations, some of our systems and processes reflect our history. We’re on a journey to modernise how HR operates, and this role will play an important part in that shift. You’ll need to be comfortable working through ambiguity while helping leaders simplify, prioritise and deliver sustainable people solutions for the future. This is a role for someone who is ready to operate beyond the day-to-day and influence at a strategic level. It would suit a highly experienced HR professional who has partnered with senior leaders in an operational or highly regulated environment and is motivated by making a tangible impact through people strategy, organisational effectiveness and leadership capability.
You’ll be part of our HR team supporting a dynamic and operationally critical area of the airline, helping leaders navigate change, build capability and deliver consistent, fair and commercially sound outcomes for colleagues and the business.
What you’ll do:
- Partner with senior leaders to shape and deliver people plans aligned to business priorities, operational performance and colleague experience.
- Use people data, insight and business understanding to identify trends, risks and opportunities, translating these into practical actions.
- Lead and support organisational change, workforce planning and transformation activity in a unionised and operationally critical environment.
- Coach and challenge leaders to build capability, improve performance and make balanced, fair and commercially sound people decisions.
- Work closely with Centres of Excellence, Employee Relations and trade union partners to deliver joined-up, consistent and sustainable outcomes.
- Influence senior stakeholders on sensitive people matters, balancing colleague impact, operational needs, policy, risk and long‑term business objectives.
- Contribute to the ongoing development of HR ways of working, identifying opportunities to simplify processes and improve the colleague and leader experience.
What you’ll bring to British Airways:
- The confidence to operate as a trusted partner to senior leaders in a fast-moving and frequently ambiguous environment.
- Strong commercial judgement, with the ability to balance business priorities, colleague experience, policy, fairness and risk.
- A strategic mindset, with the curiosity to look beyond immediate issues and understand the wider organisational context.
- Excellent relationship‑building, influencing and coaching skills, including the confidence to challenge constructively.
- The ability to use data, insight and evidence to shape recommendations and support effective decision‑making.
- Resilience, deep discretion and sound judgement when handling sensitive or high‑profile people matters.
- A continuous improvement mindset, with the ability to simplify ways of working and help HR and the business operate more effectively together.
Your experience:
- Proven experience operating as an HR Business Partner or senior HR professional, partnering with leaders to deliver people plans and business outcomes.
- Experience supporting organisational change and large‑scale transformation activity, workforce planning and performance improvement.
- Strong employee relations knowledge, including the ability to advise on sensitive matters and work effectively with specialist ER support where needed.
- Experience working in a unionised, regulated, operational or large‑scale organisation where judgement, consistency and stakeholder management are critical.
- Confidence using people data and insight to identify trends, build recommendations and influence leadership decisions.
- A track record of building trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and influencing outcomes across different functions or teams.
What we offer:
We believe that all the people who work with us should feel valued for the part they play. It’s one of the reasons our rewards go far beyond a competitive salary. From the day you join us, you’ll get access to brilliant staff travel benefits including unlimited basic and premium standby tickets on British Airways flights. You’ll also receive up to 30 discounted ‘Hotline’ airfares per year for yourself, friends, and family. At British Airways you’ll have the chance to take on new challenges and move forward in a way that feels right for you. We encourage all those who work for us to consider opportunities right across our business to help you develop and progress. We never stand still, and we don’t expect our people to either.
Inclusion & Diversity
At British Airways we all have a part to play in creating an inclusive place to work. Diverse representation among our people is really important to us and we recognise that all our colleagues are uniquely different and bring their own originality, creativity and identity to work. Inclusion and diversity is a key driver of innovation and we’re committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they can be themselves. We’re looking for people from all backgrounds and cultures to join us and be a part of our journey to become a Better BA as we continue to connect Britain with the world and the world with Britain.
Strategic HR Business Partner employer: British Airways
British Airways is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where experienced HR professionals can thrive. With a strong commitment to employee development, inclusive culture, and unique benefits such as extensive staff travel perks, we empower our team to make a meaningful impact while navigating the complexities of a highly regulated industry. Join us in shaping the future of HR and enhancing the colleague experience in a globally recognised airline.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic HR Business Partner
✨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 British Airways!
✨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 British Airways.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic HR Business Partner
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 British Airways. 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 British Airways 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 British Airways. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to British Airways'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 British Airways
✨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 British Airways.
✨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 British Airways 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 British Airways and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
