At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive people strategy and enhance business performance through effective HR initiatives.
- Company: Join a supportive company focused on career growth and employee well-being.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, hybrid working, and access to mental health support.
- Other info: Be part of a vibrant team with regular social events and career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your HR skills.
- Qualifications: CIPD qualified with experience in HR and strong knowledge of employment law.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
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.
As an HR Business Partner, you will:
- 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.
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.
We believe in looking after our people, and it shows. When you join Ipsum, you're not just taking a job - you're starting a career with real support behind it.
Benefits include:
- 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 service.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- Discount club - supermarkets, phone bills, gyms & more!
- Life assurance cover.
- Long service recognition.
- Active local social committees.
- Regular social events.
Strategic HR Business Partner: Hybrid and Change Leadership employer: Ipsum Utilities Limited
Ipsum is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its employees, offering a supportive work culture where you can thrive as a Strategic HR Business Partner. With a strong focus on career progression, professional qualifications, and a range of benefits including hybrid working, generous annual leave, and mental health support, you'll find ample opportunities to grow and make a meaningful impact in the Water & Infrastructure division across the South of England.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic HR Business Partner: Hybrid and Change Leadership
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend 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 help you land that dream job.
✨Ace the Informational Interview
Set up informal chats with current HR professionals or hiring managers. This is your chance to learn more about the role and the company culture while showcasing your enthusiasm. We recommend asking insightful questions that show you’re genuinely interested in their experiences.
✨Showcase Your Skills in Real-Time
If you get the chance, demonstrate your skills during interviews or networking events. Whether it’s leading a mock workshop or discussing case studies, we want to see how you handle real-life scenarios. It’s all about proving you can walk the talk!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage with us directly. Let’s make that connection!
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic HR Business Partner: Hybrid and Change Leadership
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the job description. Highlight your experience in HR, especially in areas like change management and employee engagement. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about the role and how you can contribute to our people strategy. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Relevant Experience:When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that relate to the responsibilities of an HR Business Partner. We love seeing quantifiable results, so don’t hold back on the numbers!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ipsum Utilities Limited
✨Know Your HR Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of employment law and HR best practices. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed complex change projects like restructures or TUPE transfers in the past. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory, but you can apply it effectively.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples of how you've translated people strategies into actionable plans. Think about specific initiatives you've led that improved employee engagement or workforce effectiveness. This will demonstrate your ability to align HR practices with business goals.
✨Be a Relationship Builder
Highlight your experience in building relationships at all levels. Prepare to share stories where you influenced stakeholders or collaborated with managers to enhance their capability. This is crucial for an HR Business Partner role, so make it a key focus in your responses.
✨Demonstrate Adaptability and Resilience
In a fast-paced environment, adaptability is key. Be ready to discuss how you've navigated change and supported others through it. Share examples that showcase your proactive approach to personal development and how you’ve helped teams manage difficult conversations or resolve issues.
