At a Glance
- Tasks: Support team managers with people-centred HR strategies and employee relations.
- Company: Join OpenWorks, a rapidly growing tech company in defence innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus potential, generous holiday, and health perks.
- Other info: Dynamic culture with opportunities for learning and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a collaborative environment where your ideas matter.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR roles and strong knowledge of employment law required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
The Opportunity
We're looking for an experienced operational HR professional to play a key role in bringing our enabling people strategy to life. This is a true generalist opportunity where you'll support team managers across the business to deliver practical, people-centred support throughout the employee lifecycle. Employee Relations is at the heart of this role, so you'll bring the confidence and experience to advise and guide managers through a broad range of ER matters while helping to build capable, high-performing teams. As we continue to grow, you'll also have the opportunity to help develop people practices, improve processes and create an enabling culture where our people can thrive, perform at their best and make a real impact.
Who We Are
OpenWorks is a rapidly growing business operating globally with a passion for exceptional engineering and building on a legacy of defence innovation in the North East of England. Our products provide ultra-high performance, real-time detection, tracking, identification and targeting of dynamic aerial threats. They have been deployed internationally to protect high profile military and civilian assets, and contribute towards the defeat of nuisance, misguided and maliciously deployed drones during operations. We are very proud to have supported a wide range of law enforcement and military operators, protecting many of the most high profile sites and individuals around the world. The amazing things we do are only possible because of a dedicated and passionate team.
Why You'll Love Working With Us
- Rewarding Success: Competitive salary starting from £40,000, plus a discretionary annual bonus of up to 25% of salary alongside a structured pay progression framework.
- Enhanced Pension: Up to 8% employer-matched contributions to help you plan for the future.
- More Time to Recharge: 25 days' holiday plus public holidays, long-service rewards, and the option to buy up to 5 extra days.
- Breakfast & Lunch on Us: Enjoy team breakfasts and freshly prepared lunches every day courtesy of Chef Mark and his team.
- Health & Wellbeing: Private healthcare and life assurance for added peace of mind.
- Sustainable Travel: Salary sacrifice schemes, including EV car and Cycle to Work options.
- Team Socials: Regular events, from quiz nights and football to board games and more.
- Learning & Growth: A culture that empowers you to challenge, grow and make an impact, plus a £250 annual learning budget to invest in the development that matters most to you.
What You'll Be Doing
- Employee Relations: Be the trusted expert for managers, leading and advising on a wide range of employee relations matters to deliver fair, consistent and commercially balanced outcomes.
- People Partnering: Build strong relationships across the business, providing pragmatic HR advice and support throughout the employee lifecycle.
- Performance & Development: Support managers with performance, probation and development conversations, helping to build capability and drive high-performing teams.
- Enabling Culture: Champion our Enabling People strategy by helping create an environment where people feel supported, empowered and able to do their best work.
- Policy & Best Practice: Develop and continuously improve people policies and processes, ensuring they remain compliant, practical and fit for a growing business.
- Employee Experience & Continuous Improvement: Use people insights and feedback to identify trends, improve the way we work and enhance the employee experience through initiatives such as our quarterly PDRs, Your Voice survey, values-based sessions and more.
- HR Operations: Maintain accurate HR data, support payroll processes and ensure our HR systems and records remain up to date and reliable.
- Projects & Growth: Contribute to people projects and organisational change initiatives that strengthen capability and support the continued growth of the business.
What We're Looking For
- HR Generalist Experience: Proven experience in a People Partner, HR Advisor, HR Generalist or similar role with broad exposure across the full employee lifecycle.
- Employee Relations Expertise: Strong experience managing employee relations cases and coaching managers with confidence, balancing commercial, legal and people considerations.
- Trusted Partner: An exceptional communicator who builds credibility quickly and develops strong working relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
- Employment Law Knowledge: A sound understanding of UK employment legislation and HR best practice, with the ability to apply practical, commercially focused advice.
- Systems & Data: Comfortable using HRIS systems, Microsoft Excel and people data to support informed decision-making and maintain data integrity.
- Professional Qualification: CIPD Level 3 qualified (or above) with strong practical HR knowledge.
- Personal Attributes: Organised, proactive and adaptable, with excellent judgement, integrity and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Security Vetting Information
OpenWorks Engineering operates within the defence sector. As part of our recruitment and onboarding processes, we collect information that may be required to support future security vetting and clearance requirements, should these become necessary during employment.
More About Us
- Vision: Help protect the territory and airspace of NATO countries and their allies.
- Mission: Be a world-leading provider of autonomous technology for Surveillance applications and Defence.
- Values: Be a Good Egg: Earn respect, have mutual trust and be honest. Do cool stuff: We develop cool tech with an awesome team, and we get stuff done. Be empowered: We are autonomous, reliable and take personal responsibility. We are one team: Look out for each other and the team. Things go wrong: Fail fast, learn and move on. Have fun: We're doing amazing things with passionate people.
Senior People Partner in Prudhoe employer: Internetwork Expert
OpenWorks is an exceptional employer that fosters a high-energy, collaborative work culture where innovative ideas flourish and employees are genuinely passionate about their contributions. With competitive salaries, generous benefits including enhanced pension contributions, private healthcare, and a strong focus on personal development through a £250 annual learning budget, we empower our team to thrive in their roles. Located in the North East of England, we offer a unique opportunity to be part of a rapidly growing business at the forefront of defence innovation, making a real impact on global security.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior People Partner in Prudhoe
✨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 Internetwork Expert!
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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 Internetwork Expert.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior People Partner in Prudhoe
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 Internetwork Expert. 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 Internetwork Expert 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 Internetwork Expert. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Internetwork Expert'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 Internetwork Expert
✨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 Internetwork Expert.
✨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 Internetwork Expert 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 Internetwork Expert and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
