At a Glance
- Tasks: Partner with senior leaders to drive organisational effectiveness and strategic workforce planning.
- Company: Join Diligent, a leader in AI-driven governance and compliance solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible work, comprehensive health benefits, and generous time off.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with global teams and a commitment to diversity.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping the future of HR in an innovative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR partnership and strong coaching skills required.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
We are excited to introduce a newly created Senior HR Business Partner role, partnering directly with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to drive organizational effectiveness, leadership capability, and strategic workforce planning across the business. Central to the role is holding senior leaders accountable for their own growth as leaders: coaching them with the same rigor they are expected to apply to their teams, so that as leaders level up, their team's level up alongside them.
You will help drive effective people practices by balancing business priorities with employee experience and will play a key role in evolving Diligent's HR operating model toward more strategic, AI-enabled ways of working. The ideal candidate is collaborative, business-minded, and solutions-oriented, with strong judgment, communication skills, and the ability to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders – while being direct enough to hold them to account.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as a senior strategic HR partner to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) for an assigned business unit or regional pod, leading org design, talent planning, succession planning, and coaching.
- Develop the people strategy for the business unit or function you support, in partnership with senior leadership, translating business strategy and objectives into a people plan that delivers maximum impact.
- Lead strategic workforce planning for the business unit — including how work is organised across people and AI agents — and navigating the balance between building AI capability and developing the human skills needed for the future in an AI-first organisation.
- Partner with the HR Director on implementation and functional roll-out of the broader people strategy.
- Lead the business unit's talent and performance cycles, including goal-setting/OKR cadence, SLT-level calibrations, compensation review for the SLT-and-below population, and 9-box grid review.
- Drive turning workforce, engagement, and performance data into insight that drives real business impact, using OHI, pulse, and talent analytics to inform decisions rather than just report on them.
- Coach SLT members and hold them accountable for their own growth and their teams' development, ensuring leaders level up their people while delivering their OKRs.
- Hold senior leaders accountable for role-modelling the standards expected of their teams, giving direct feedback when leadership behaviour is holding a team back, and following up to confirm it changes.
- Own escalated and senior-level employee relations investigations, acting as the escalation point for higher-risk cases before they reach the HR Director.
- Act as practice lead for cyclical HR activities within the business unit, collaborating with Business Partners and HR Assistants to ensure consistent, in-time zone support across the pod.
Required Experience/Skills
- Experience serving as a senior HR partner to business leaders, including direct partnership with a Senior Leadership Team (SLT) or equivalent within a regional or business-unit-aligned HRBP model.
- Strong org design, strategic workforce planning, and succession planning expertise, with the ability to apply it in service of an evolving, regionally structured HR operating model.
- Experience leading escalated or complex employee relations investigations and acting as an escalation point above front-line HR Business Partners.
- Proven track record coaching senior leaders and holding them accountable for their own development and their teams' growth – comfortable giving direct, challenging feedback that helps leaders and their people level up together.
- Familiarity with HRIS and workflow systems, and openness to AI-enabled ways of working as repetitive HR operations move to automation and shared services.
- Strong communication, stakeholder management, judgment, and problem-solving skills, with comfort operating in a newly introduced role where boundaries with adjacent HRBP tiers are still being defined.
Senior HR Business Partner in London employer: Diligent
Diligent is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, making it an ideal place for a Senior HR Business Partner to thrive. With a flexible work environment, comprehensive health benefits, and a commitment to diversity, employees are empowered to grow both personally and professionally. The hybrid work model encourages in-person engagement, enhancing teamwork and community, while the company's focus on AI-enabled practices positions its workforce at the forefront of industry advancements.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior HR Business Partner in London
✨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 Diligent!
✨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 Diligent.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior HR Business Partner in London
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 Diligent. 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 Diligent 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 Diligent. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Diligent'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 Diligent
✨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 Diligent.
✨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 Diligent 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 Diligent and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
