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- 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, strong employee relations skills, and commercial awareness.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Location: On site- Loanhead, Edinburgh
Flexible Working Options: 4- or 5-day week
Contract Type: Permanent
Join Our Team: HR Business Partner
We are seeking an experienced and 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 enjoys 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
Benefits
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 in Loanhead employer: MacTaggart Scott
Contact Detail:
MacTaggart Scott Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Business Partner in Loanhead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at MacTaggart Scott on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the HR Business Partner role. Personal connections can give you an edge!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the company’s values and recent projects. Show us that you understand how your skills align with their mission in the naval defence industry. Tailor your answers to reflect their goals!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed complex HR cases or driven employee engagement initiatives. We want to hear about your impact and how you can bring that to MacTaggart Scott.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating your enthusiasm for the role can keep you top of mind. Plus, it shows us that you’re genuinely interested in joining the team!
We think you need these skills to ace HR Business Partner in Loanhead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the HR Business Partner role. Highlight your relevant experience in employee relations and organisational development, and don’t forget to showcase your ability to influence and build relationships!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for MacTaggart Scott. Mention specific examples of how you've driven employee engagement or supported leadership development in previous roles.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since the role involves using HR data and metrics, be sure to mention any experience you have with data analysis. Talk about how you've used insights to make informed decisions or improve processes in your past roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at MacTaggart Scott
✨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
Since this role involves partnering closely with leaders and managers, think about how you can showcase your relationship-building skills. Prepare anecdotes that highlight your ability to influence decision-making and foster strong connections across different levels of an organisation.
✨Be Solutions-Focused
Demonstrate your proactive approach by discussing how you've tackled challenges in previous roles. Think of specific instances where you identified trends or risks using HR data and implemented effective solutions that improved employee engagement or organisational effectiveness.