At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive people strategy and enhance business performance across the South of England.
- Company: Dynamic organisation in the Water & Infrastructure sector with a focus on people development.
- Benefits: 25 days annual leave, hybrid working, car allowance, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a diverse team with regular social events and career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping HR strategies and driving positive change.
- Qualifications: CIPD qualified with experience in HR and strong knowledge of employment law.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Surrey area with Hybrid working.
Salary: Will come with Car Allowance as there is travel in the role.
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 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
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.
Key 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.
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. Before applying, please review our Privacy Policy to understand how we process your data in line with GDPR.
HR Business Partner employer: Ipsum
As an HR Business Partner in the Surrey area, you will join a forward-thinking organisation that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With a robust benefits package including hybrid working, generous annual leave, and access to mental health support, the company fosters a supportive work culture that encourages career development and progression. Regular social events and active local committees further enhance the sense of community, making this an excellent place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Business Partner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the HR field. Attend industry events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that HR Business Partner role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its culture, especially in the utilities sector. Think about how your experience aligns with their needs and be ready to share specific examples of your past successes in driving change and engagement.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! Bring along any relevant certifications or examples of your work to interviews. If you've led complex projects like TUPE transfers or restructures, make sure to highlight those experiences to demonstrate your capability as an HR Business Partner.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand. Let’s get you that HR role!
We think you need these skills to ace HR Business Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the HR Business Partner role. Highlight your experience in the utilities sector and any relevant projects you've led, especially around restructures and TUPE. 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 explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can make a difference at StudySmarter. Be sure to mention your CIPD qualifications and any specific achievements that demonstrate your capability.
Showcase Your People Skills:As an HR Business Partner, relationship-building is key. In your application, share examples of how you've successfully influenced stakeholders or managed difficult conversations. We love to see candidates who can connect with people at all levels!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you're keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ipsum
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of an HR Business Partner. Brush up on your knowledge of employment law, TUPE, and change management. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your ability to drive performance improvements and manage complex HR projects. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and make them impactful.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Don’t just answer questions; engage in a conversation. Ask insightful questions about their people strategy and how you can contribute. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that test your problem-solving skills. Think about how you would handle difficult conversations or manage employee relations issues. Practising these scenarios beforehand will help you respond with confidence during the interview.
