At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive people strategies and enhance team performance across the South of England.
- Company: Dynamic company in the Water & Infrastructure sector with a focus on people development.
- Benefits: 25 days leave, hybrid working, career progression, and health support.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with regular social events and a commitment to diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on employee engagement and business growth while developing your HR skills.
- Qualifications: CIPD qualified with experience in HR and strong knowledge of employment law.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: West Sussex (Hybrid working - 2-3 days office-based)
Travel: Regular travel across the South of England required
Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Working Hours: Monday - Friday
What's in it for you
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays with the option to buy more
- Hybrid working
- Group Personal Pension Plan
- Car allowance
- Career development & progression with the opportunity to earn professional qualifications
- 24/7 access to a virtual GP and Mental health support & counselling services
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Discount club - supermarkets, phone bills, gyms & more
- Life assurance cover
- Long service recognition
- Active local social committees
- Regular social events
About the role
As an HR Business Partner, you will play a pivotal role in translating the organisation's people strategy into effective, commercially focused people plans across the South of England within the Water & Infrastructure division. Working closely with the Head of HR and divisional leadership teams, you will act as a trusted advisor, challenger, and enabler of business performance through people. You will be accountable for delivering the divisional people agenda in line with the wider HR strategy set by the HR Director, driving workforce effectiveness, leadership capability, employee engagement, and organisational change. The role also leads on people aspects of business growth activity, including acquisitions, TUPE transfers, and integration programmes, ensuring outcomes are compliant, well-managed, and commercially effective.
Responsibilities
- Deliver targeted workshops to enhance line manager capability across key areas including leadership, employee relations, and absence management.
- Support and enable managers to take ownership of day-to-day people matters, building confidence in managing their teams effectively.
- Champion employee engagement and positive relations through proactive collaboration with managers.
- Partner with Head of HR (Operations) to implement engagement action plans that drive performance.
- Embed PeopleHR across divisions to strengthen accountability and enable cultural change.
- Maintain real-time accuracy of operational data within PeopleHR.
- Coordinate with Head of HR (Operations) on TUPE, acquisitions, integration, restructuring, and redundancy.
- Coach managers on handling difficult conversations and resolving issues informally.
- Provide pragmatic, risk-aware HR advice to managers, escalating to Head of HR (Operations) when needed.
- Prepare monthly HR reports for senior leadership and board-level business reviews.
- Use HR metrics to generate insights and drive performance improvements across operational teams.
About you
We are looking for a confident and experienced HR Business Partner who thrives in a fast-paced, matrixed environment. Ideally, you'll bring experience from the utilities sector and have a strong grasp of employment law, with a proven track record of leading complex change projects such as restructures, TUPE, and variations to terms and conditions. You'll be comfortable building relationships at all levels, influencing stakeholders, and driving meaningful business impact through strategic HR initiatives. You'll be CIPD qualified (Level 5 minimum) and educated to degree level, with excellent IT skills across Microsoft Office and SharePoint. Resilience, adaptability, and a proactive approach to personal development are key, as is the ability to navigate change with confidence. If you're passionate about making a difference and ready to take ownership of your HRBP remit, we'd love to hear from you.
Our commitment to Equal Opportunities: We're proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and experiences, and we're committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce.
HR Business Partner employer: Ipsum Utilities Limited
As an HR Business Partner in West Sussex, you will join a dynamic and supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With benefits such as hybrid working, extensive annual leave, and access to mental health support, the company fosters a collaborative environment where your contributions are valued. You'll have the opportunity to develop your career through targeted training and qualifications while being part of a team that actively engages in social events and community initiatives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Business Partner
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend HR events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for your interviews by researching the company and practising common HR scenarios. We recommend using the STAR method to structure your answers. Show them how your experience aligns with their needs, and don’t forget to ask insightful questions!
✨Follow Up
After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a simple gesture that can set you apart from other candidates. We believe it shows your enthusiasm and professionalism!
✨Apply Through Our Website
When you find a role that excites you, apply directly through our website. It streamlines the process and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing familiar names pop up in our system!
We think you need these skills to ace HR Business Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the HR Business Partner role. Highlight your experience in the utilities sector and any relevant projects you've led, especially around TUPE and restructures. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your passion for HR and how your skills align with our people strategy. Don’t forget to mention why you’re excited about working with us at StudySmarter!
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive performance improvements and manage change. Numbers and metrics can really make your application stand out, so don’t hold back!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ipsum Utilities Limited
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the role of an HR Business Partner. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description, like delivering workshops and supporting managers. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your ability to handle complex change projects, such as restructures or TUPE transfers. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your achievements.
✨Engage with Their Culture
Research the company’s culture and values, especially around employee engagement and collaboration. During the interview, share how you can contribute to fostering a positive work environment and enhancing line manager capability, which are crucial for this role.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask at the end of the interview. Inquire about their current HR initiatives or challenges they face in the Water & Infrastructure division. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you.
