At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape and deliver people strategies to enhance business performance and employee engagement.
- Company: Join MacTaggart Scott, a leader in the Naval Defence industry with a rich history.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, comprehensive leave policies, and a supportive environment.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and a focus on health and wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving organisational effectiveness and supporting high-performing teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR Business Partner roles with strong employee relations skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
Join Our Team: HR Business Partner
Location: On site- Loanhead, Edinburgh
Flexible Working Options: 4- or 5-day week
Contract Type: Permanent
Are you looking for the next step up in your HR career? This opportunity could be ideal for a Senior HR Advisor or Assistant HR Business Partner who is ready to take the next step into a broader, more strategic HR Business Partner role. We are seeking a commercially focused HR Business Partner to join our HR team at MacTaggart Scott. This is a key strategic and operational role, partnering closely with leaders and managers across the business to align people strategies with organisational objectives and support the continued growth and success of the company.
This is an exciting opportunity for a proactive HR professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and would enjoy balancing strategic business partnering with hands-on operational HR leadership. You will play a central role in driving organisational effectiveness, strengthening leadership capability, improving employee engagement, and supporting the development of high-performing teams across the business. Based on site at our Loanhead facility, this role would suit someone who is confident building strong relationships, influencing decision-making, and managing a broad range of complex HR activity with professionalism, commercial awareness, and initiative.
About Us
MacTaggart Scott primarily supports the Naval Defence industry, providing complete solutions to customer needs from analysis of initial customer requirements, to design and manufacture, and right through to commissioning and through life support. Established in 1898, we are proud of our history and tradition but believe that sustainable competitive advantage can only be achieved through continuous improvement, investment, and a commitment to business excellence at every level within the company.
What is the job about?
As our HR Business Partner, you will play a key role in shaping and delivering people strategies that support business performance, employee engagement, and organisational growth across MacTaggart Scott. Partnering closely with leaders and managers, you will provide commercially focused HR support across areas including employee relations, organisational development, workforce planning, talent management, and leadership development. This is a varied and influential role where you will combine strategic business partnering with hands-on HR leadership, while supporting and developing HR Co-ordinators to ensure the effective delivery of operational HR services. Success in the role will come from your ability to build strong relationships, influence stakeholders, and deliver practical people solutions that drive organisational effectiveness and support a positive working culture.
Key Responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
- Partner with leaders and managers to deliver people strategies aligned to business objectives and organisational performance
- Provide expert HR advice and coaching across employee relations, performance management, organisational change, and workforce planning
- Lead and manage complex employee relations cases, ensuring consistency, fairness, and legal compliance
- Support organisational development initiatives including succession planning, talent management, leadership capability, and employee development
- Drive employee engagement, wellbeing, and culture initiatives to support a positive and inclusive working environment
- Line manage and develop HR Advisors and/or HR Co-ordinators, ensuring effective delivery of operational HR services
- Oversee recruitment and onboarding activities to support workforce capability and business growth
- Use HR data, workforce insights, and people metrics to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement
- Support the continuous improvement of HR policies, processes, and practices in line with employment legislation and business needs
About You
- Proven experience in an HR Business Partner or Senior HR Advisory role ideally in an engineering or manufacturing environment
- Strong employee relations experience, with confidence managing complex HR casework
- Experience supporting organisational development, workforce planning, and people development initiatives
- Commercially focused with the ability to influence and build strong relationships across all levels of the organisation
- Strong coaching, communication, and stakeholder management skills
- Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently with minimal supervision
- Proactive and solutions-focused approach with strong professional judgement and confidentiality
- Strong analytical skills with experience using HR data and workforce metrics to support decision-making
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
Desirable:
- CIPD Level 5 qualified or equivalent experience
- Change management experience
- Experience within defence, naval, engineering, or manufacturing sectors
- Experience leading organisational development initiatives
- Experience supporting leadership development, succession planning, and organisational change
Your future at MacTaggart Scott – What we offer:
- As part of our Healthy Work-Life Balance, employees can choose between a 4- or 5-day working week
- Flexible working hours between 07:00 and 19:00, with core hours of 09:30 - 15:30
- A comprehensive leave policy including annual leave, paid parental leave, and military reservist leave
- A supportive and engaging environment with opportunities to grow your career
- Access to a comprehensive wellbeing programme, Employee Assistance Programme, and onsite nurse
- Onsite canteen, free parking, and cycle-to-work scheme
- Generous company pension plan, employee discounts, and free flu vaccinations
- Life insurance, sick pay, and a strong focus on health and wellbeing
HR Business Partner employer: MacTaggart, Scott and Company
MacTaggart Scott is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth, offering flexible working options and a supportive environment. With a strong focus on career development, employees can thrive in a culture that values strategic HR leadership and operational excellence, all while contributing to the success of a historic company in the naval defence industry located in Loanhead, Edinburgh.
Contact Detail:
MacTaggart, Scott and Company Recruiting Team
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 connections you make, the better your chances of hearing about job openings before they’re even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company inside out, especially their HR practices and culture. Think about how your experience aligns with their needs and be ready to share specific examples that showcase your skills and achievements.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply and wait! Follow up on your applications. A quick email to express your enthusiasm can set you apart from other candidates. It shows you’re proactive and genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Use our website to apply! We’ve got all the latest job openings listed, and applying directly through us can give you an edge. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate, so why not take advantage of it?
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 relevant experience, especially in employee relations and organisational development, to show us you’re the perfect fit for our team.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you’re excited about this opportunity at MacTaggart Scott. Share specific examples of how you've influenced stakeholders and driven HR initiatives in your previous roles.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to highlight your analytical skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office. We want to see how you’ve used data to support decision-making and improve HR processes in your past positions.
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 don’t miss out on any important updates during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at MacTaggart, Scott and Company
✨Know Your HR Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your HR knowledge, especially around employee relations and organisational development. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your ability to handle complex HR cases and support leadership development.
✨Show Your Commercial Awareness
Understand the business side of things! Research MacTaggart Scott and their role in the Naval Defence industry. Be prepared to explain how your HR strategies can align with their organisational objectives and contribute to their growth.
✨Build Relationships
During the interview, focus on showcasing your relationship-building skills. Share stories about how you've influenced decision-making and collaborated with leaders in previous roles. This will highlight your ability to partner effectively across the organisation.
✨Be Proactive and Solutions-Focused
Demonstrate your proactive approach by discussing how you've identified trends or risks in HR data and implemented solutions. Show that you're not just reactive but can drive initiatives that enhance employee engagement and organisational culture.
