Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) - Workforce Planning and Organisational Design in Southampton

480917 Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) - Workforce Planning and Organisational Design

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Apply before 11:55 pm on Wednesday 7th October 2026

Location:

Southampton (This role is suitable for hybrid working)

Salary:

£57,515 - A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Contract Type:

Fixed term 24 months with potential for extension and/ or permanency – Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is seeking a Human Resources Business Partner to join its People and Safety Directorate. The Directorate brings together Human Resources, Property and Facilities, and Health and Safety to help the Agency attract, develop and retain a skilled, inclusive and resilient workforce, while supporting safe and effective workplaces. Within Human Resources, you will join a key enabling function responsible for delivering the MCA’s People Strategy and a broad range of services, including organisational design and development, talent management, employee relations, reward, resourcing, planning and governance. As part of the HR Leadership Team, you will work collaboratively with HR colleagues, senior leaders and stakeholders across the Agency to connect people priorities with business needs and help shape a resilient workforce for the future.

As a Human Resources Business Partner, you will provide strategic HR partnering across the Agency, supporting organisational design, transformation and the connection of HR services with wider business priorities. As the lead specialist for strategic workforce planning, you will use workforce insight, forecasting, scenario modelling and risk analysis to translate organisational priorities into evidence‑based workforce strategies, supporting informed decision‑making and long‑term workforce resilience.

Top Responsibilities

• Delivering strategic partnering, problem-solving, stakeholder connection and leadership coaching.
• Leading the MCA’s strategic workforce planning framework.
• Forecasting workforce needs, risks and skills gaps.
• Embedding workforce planning across business and financial plans.
• Leading transformation and inclusive organisational design programmes.
• Turning people data into clear recommendations for leaders.

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

About You

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

• Be CIPD qualified (Associate CIPD) or be ready to qualify through experience assessment or demonstrate equivalent HR work experience.
• Experience in an HR Business Partner or equivalent role.
• Significant experience of leading strategic workforce planning activity within a complex organisation.
• Strong understanding of workforce planning methodologies, including workforce forecasting, demand and supply analysis and scenario modelling.
• Ability to translate organisational objectives, business plans and transformation priorities into practical workforce strategies and delivery plans.

This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Wednesday 7th October 2026