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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and empower leaders to create a fantastic workplace culture.
- Company: Join IWM, a mission-driven organisation focused on people and culture.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, supportive community, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on employee experience and organisational change.
- Qualifications: CIPD Level 7 or equivalent HR experience required.
- Other info: Collaborate with diverse teams and travel across the UK branches.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Why This Role Matters
IWM is delivering an ambitious transformation agenda, with one of our core organisational objectives being to make IWM a fantastic place to work. The People & Culture team plays a central role in shaping how we support, develop and empower our people so they can deliver extraordinary work every day. As our HR Business Partner, you will act as a trusted advisor to leaders across the organisation, guiding them through change, organisational development, people challenges, and cultural evolution. You will have a direct impact on employee experience, wellbeing, inclusion, talent development, and the strength of our employer brand. This role is an opportunity to shape a modern, people‑centred HR function in a unique organisation with a powerful mission.
What It’s Like to Work Here
At IWM, people care deeply about the mission and about each other. You’ll join a genuinely supportive community where:
- relationships are built on trust
- curiosity and continuous improvement are encouraged
- hybrid working is enabled where practical
- new ideas, innovation and evidence-led decision-making are welcomed
- wellbeing, inclusion and respect are central to our culture
People & Culture has strong visibility across the organisation, working closely with leaders to embed inclusive behaviours, strengthen capability and deliver meaningful change. You’ll have the autonomy to bring your expertise, creativity and judgement to the table. Although primarily based in London, you’ll also travel to our five branches across the UK, ensuring all colleagues receive a consistent, high‑quality People service.
What You’ll Be Doing
Your role is both strategic and hands‑on, blending partnership, coaching, insight, and operational excellence. A typical month could include:
- Business Partnering & Leadership Support
- Building strong, proactive relationships with senior leaders and managers across your business areas
- Designing and delivering local people plans aligned to IWM’s strategic objectives
- Coaching managers on performance, employee relations, change, and people management
- Acting as a change agent, supporting delivery of organisational change programmes
- Leading on complex employee relations cases, using IWM’s restorative framework to resolve issues effectively
- Using people analytics, survey data and key metrics to inform decision‑making and highlight priorities
- Supporting succession planning and workforce planning, working closely with Learning & Development
- Updating, advising on and developing People policies and procedures
- Identifying and mitigating people risks, including capability gaps, single‑point dependencies and organisational risks
- Building constructive relationships with recognised trade union representatives
- Supporting the Director of People & Culture in delivering strategic people initiatives
- Researching, benchmarking and bringing new ideas to strengthen people practices
- Leading or contributing to projects that enhance employee experience and organisational culture
- Playing a key role in advancing IWM’s Access & Inclusion agenda
- Supporting employee engagement initiatives and contributing to the development of IWM’s employee value proposition
- Contributing to annual corporate planning and ensuring People plans are achievable and aligned to organisational goals
What We’re Looking For
Required
- CIPD Level 7 qualification or equivalent senior‑level HR/OD/change experience
- Strong ability to deliver impactful HR advice at senior management level
- Experience managing complex people initiatives, organisational change or multi‑stakeholder projects
- Confidence handling senior‑level conversations with sound judgement and discretion
- Experience supporting performance, employee relations and people development
- Ability to work effectively under pressure, balancing planned work with unplanned issues
- Experience identifying, designing and implementing People initiatives
- Strategic partnering experience, particularly around organisational design and development
Desirable
- Experience working with trade unions or staff forums
- Experience working within organisations focused on continuous improvement
- Experience supporting multi‑site operations
- Experience in a commercialised not‑for‑profit or cultural sector environment
How You’ll Work
You’ll work in partnership with senior leaders and managers across all directorates, ensuring that People & Culture is a trusted, proactive and strategic partner. You’ll collaborate with specialists in Learning & Development, People Operations, Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion and organisational leadership to deliver a cohesive, high‑impact People service. Hybrid working is available, with on‑site presence guided by business needs, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement.
What Success Looks Like
Over the course of your time with us, success will look like:
- Strong, trusted relationships with senior leaders and managers
- Clear people plans that support business priorities and positive cultural change
- High‑quality coaching and guidance that strengthens people capability
- Meaningful improvements in employee experience, engagement and inclusion
- Positive outcomes in complex employee relations cases
- Evidence‑led insights supporting strategic decision‑making
- Contribution to key People & Culture projects and strategic programmes
- A developed and more confident People Advisor/Officer cohort
For a full list of duties and the person specification which your application will be marked against, please view the Job Description.
HR Business Partner employer: IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUMS
Contact Detail:
IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUMS Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Business Partner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at IWM on LinkedIn or through mutual connections. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the HR Business Partner role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding IWM's mission and values. Think about how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around employee experience and inclusion. We want to see you shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your strategic thinking! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed complex people initiatives or organisational change in the past. We love hearing about real-life impacts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our fantastic team at IWM.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Business Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that match the HR Business Partner role. Highlight your strategic partnering experience and any relevant projects you've led, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your People Skills: In your application, emphasise your ability to build strong relationships and your experience in coaching and advising senior leaders. We want to see how you can contribute to our supportive community and enhance employee experience.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your written application. We value curiosity and continuous improvement, so don’t hesitate to share your unique ideas or experiences that demonstrate your passion for people and culture.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it reaches the right people in our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUMS
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in IWM’s mission and values. Research their current initiatives, especially around employee experience and inclusion. This will help you demonstrate how your skills align with their goals during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
Prepare examples of how you've successfully partnered with senior leaders in the past. Highlight your experience in managing complex people initiatives and organisational change, as this role requires a strategic approach to HR.
✨Be Ready for Real Scenarios
Expect situational questions that assess your judgement and discretion in handling sensitive employee relations cases. Think of specific instances where you’ve navigated challenges effectively and be ready to discuss them.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
IWM values teamwork and collaboration, so be prepared to talk about how you’ve worked with various stakeholders, including trade unions or staff forums. Share how you’ve built strong relationships and contributed to a positive culture in previous roles.