At a Glance
- Tasks: Partner with managers, coordinate HR operations, and support employee lifecycle management.
- Company: Join Martin-Baker, a leader in life-saving aerospace equipment with a strong commitment to its people.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive pension, healthcare, 25 days leave, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with clear career progression opportunities in a global organisation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a meaningful role that saves lives and drives operational excellence.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR administration, team coordination, and knowledge of UK employment law.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
HR Business Partner – Denham Shape it.
Deliver it.
Trust it with lives!
Develop your professional legacy in a role where hands-on people management meets global operational impact.
As an HR Business Partner at Denham, you will play a pivotal role in executing our people strategy and driving operational excellence across the business.
From the shop floor to the management suite, your energy and attention to detail will support the human resources, administration, and process improvements that power a world-leading workforce built to perform in the most extreme, safety-critical environments.
Direct Impact, Global Scale.
Life-Saving Mission.
At Martin-Baker, the work we do matters.
We design, manufacture and support life-saving equipment used by aircrew around the world.
Our products operate in demanding environments, where quality, reliability and attention to detail are critical.
We’re proud of our long history in aerospace and defence, also focused on the future.
Joining Martin-Baker means becoming part of a business with a clear purpose, strong engineering capability and a long-term commitment to its people, products and customers.
Whether you work in engineering, operations, commercial, finance, supply chain or support functions, your contribution helps deliver equipment that protects lives.
It is challenging work, but it is also meaningful, and with over 7,700 lives saved, it gives our people the opportunity to be part of something with real impact.
The Opportunity As an HR Business Partner, you will base your work at our Denham site, combining hands-on business partnering with day-to-day ownership of central HR services, systems administration, and process optimisation.
You will find a supportive, fast-paced environment where you act as a trusted advisor to departmental managers across a dedicated section of our 1,300-strong workforce.
This is an exceptional opportunity to coordinate our central HR administration and onboarding workflows, with the scope to develop supervisory experience over a small team of three.
You will gain deep, practical exposure to business transformation, HR systems integration, and change initiatives, operating within a relationship-driven culture that values structured discipline.
This role offers a clear and structured path for career progression into broader, strategic HR leadership within a world-leading global organisation.
- What You’ll Do
- Manager
Partnering: Partner with line managers across sourcing, commercial finance, IT, and manufacturing to provide guidance, resolve operational HR issues, and support team engagement.
- Workflow
Coordination: Lead and coordinate the daily operations of the central HR administration and onboarding team (3 direct reports), ensuring service levels are met.
- Systems & Processes: Oversee and maintain various HR systems, with a focus on data accuracy, process optimization, and helping expand manager self-service capabilities.
- Lifecycle
Support: Manage the operational employee lifecycle from recruitment handover to exit, including onboarding, promotions, family leave tracking, and offboarding.
- Reporting & Insights: Assist in building KPI dashboards and running monthly reporting tools to provide data-driven insights for management decision-making.
- Compliance & Policy: Ensure all HR policies, procedures, and employee files remain strictly compliant and aligned with UK employment law.
- What We’re Looking For
- Operational
Experience: Strong background in HR administration or operations (essential).
- Leadership
Scope: Proven experience managing or coordinating teams within HR or administrative functions (desirable).
- Systems
Familiarity: Experience working with HR databases, supporting process improvements, or helping deliver digital systems changes (essential).
- Legal
Knowledge: Sound, practical foundation in UK employment law and regulatory frameworks (essential).
- Relationship
Building: Strong listening and communication skills with the confidence to influence and advise departmental managers (essential).
- Hands-on
Mindset: A practical, proactive approach with the ability to balance a relationship-driven culture with process discipline without large support functions (essential).
- Data & Sector
Exposure: Experience generating basic HR reports/dashboards, or working within manufacturing, engineering, or non-desk-based environments (desirable).
- Share and demonstrate the Martin-Baker values.
Our Values At Martin-Baker, we value professionalism, understanding, teamwork, humility, accountability and integrity.
We look for people who take pride in their work, collaborate openly and act with care because the work we do matters.
What We Offer
- Excellent pension package with strong employer support — Martin-Baker contributes 9% of your salary (non-contributory to the employee), with further employer contributions that grow as you increase your own
- Life Assurance
- Lunchtime finish on a Friday
- Personalised training and development plan
- Healthcare plan
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave
- Martin-Baker + (retail discounts platform)
- Occupational Health team
- Workplace Nursery Benefit scheme
- Cycle to work scheme How to Apply / Your Interview Journey Please submit your CV and should you wish, a brief covering letter outlining your suitability, including any relevant experience, skills and expertise you can bring to the role.
- Hit "Apply Now,"
- Initial Telephone interview: A detailed conversation with your Recruitment Business Partner to understand your background and motivation for joining Martin-Baker.
- First
- Stage
Interview: An initial virtual discussion (via Teams) with the Hiring Manager and a designated HR stakeholder to explore your background and motivations.
- Final
- Stage
Interview: A face-to-face formal interview at our Denham site with the Group Vice President of HR and a key business stakeholder, allowing you to demonstrate your strategic capability and approach.
We believe in equal opportunity, committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone is respected.
We want you to be able to do your best work.
Martin-Baker is a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant, showing our support and commitment to our Armed Forces and their families, proudly supporting those who serve.
This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS).
The role also involves access to information governed by U.
Export Control Laws (including ITAR); therefore, all applicants must satisfy ITAR eligibility requirements
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Hr Business Partner
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Martin Baker!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Martin Baker.
We think you need these skills to ace Hr Business Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Martin Baker. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Martin Baker and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Martin Baker. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Martin Baker's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Martin Baker
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Martin Baker.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Martin Baker will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Martin Baker and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
