At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformative change initiatives and empower teams to embrace new ways of working.
- Company: Join CalMac, a forward-thinking company dedicated to modernising essential services in Scotland.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension, hybrid working, and 37 days annual leave.
- Other info: Exciting opportunities for training, development, and career progression await you.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on change management while enjoying real autonomy in your role.
- Qualifications: Proven change management experience and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 75000 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid working maximum 2 days based from our Gourock head office and travel across our ports and vessels as required.
Contract: Permanent, full time 37.5 hours per week, Monday – Friday.
Salary: Circa £75k plus benefits and depending on skills and experience.
Join us and help to transform how change happens at CalMac! Reporting to the Strategic Change Lead, this is a key role at the heart of our transformation journey. As a Senior Change Partner, you’ll lead the delivery of our change activity while building the capability needed across the business to make change stick. You’ll design and deliver impactful change strategies that drive engagement, readiness, and adoption minimising resistance and ensuring lasting results. Working closely with delivery teams, you’ll also coach, mentor, and provide assurance that our approach to change is effective, practical, and aligned to our ambitions.
What you’ll be doing:
- Lead and evolve our change and benefits frameworks, tools, and training to embed best practice.
- Partner with our internal stakeholders such as Talent Development to build a strong, organisation-wide change capability.
- Coach, mentor, and guide teams to deliver change confidently and effectively.
- Assure the quality of 3rd party change plans to ensure they are robust and benefits-led.
- Assess and manage the cumulative impact of complex change across the organisation.
- Support delivery of an integrated, scalable, and outcomes-focused change framework.
- Build and mobilise a network of change leaders to embed new ways of working.
- Act as a credible & trusted advisor, influencing stakeholders at all levels to deliver sustainable change.
About you:
You’ll be an experienced and credible change professional with deep expertise in change management methodologies, applying them to simplify complex change and ensure it is clearly understood, engaging, and accessible for all stakeholders.
What you’ll bring as a Senior Change Partner:
- A proven track record of leading and delivering complex change and embedding sustainable business outcomes.
- Strong understanding of how people experience change, with a flexible, people-centred approach.
- Change Management certification (e.g. APMG, PROSCI) and MSP Practitioner (both desirable).
- Experience in digital transformation and benefits realisation (advantageous).
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, including strong facilitation and presentation and the ability to engage at all levels.
- A confident leadership style that inspires and motivates others through change.
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to clearly present complex information.
- A commitment to high standards with a strong customer service ethos and passion to drive quality delivery across teams and partners.
- Resilience and adaptability to thrive in a changing environment and deliver.
- Proven ability to deliver tasks to time, budget and quality criteria.
- Flexibility to travel across the CalMac network, which will be project dependent and may include overnight stays.
Why join CalMac?
This is an exciting time to join CalMac. With the award of the 10-year CHFS3 contract, we have the stability and investment to continue delivering essential services to Scotland’s communities. You’ll be part of a business that is modernising, evolving, and investing in its future offering you the chance to make a visible, lasting impact in a role with real autonomy.
Apply now and play a key role in shaping the future of change at CalMac. If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, then what are you waiting for? Apply today and one of the team will be in touch!
Package:
- Competitive salary
- Very generous pension
- Hybrid Working
- Excellent training, development, and career progression
- 37 days annual leave (pro-rata)
- Staff travel pass for yourself, spouse/partner, and dependents
Please note, we may close this vacancy early for external applicants if we receive the required quality or quantity of applications. No agencies please.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Employee Relations Partner (m/f/d) in Gourock
✨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 Caledonian MacBrayne!
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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 Caledonian MacBrayne.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Employee Relations Partner (m/f/d) in Gourock
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 Caledonian MacBrayne. 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 Caledonian MacBrayne 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 Caledonian MacBrayne. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Caledonian MacBrayne'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 Caledonian MacBrayne
✨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 Caledonian MacBrayne.
✨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 Caledonian MacBrayne 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 Caledonian MacBrayne and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
