HR Business Partner (ML125) in London

The HR Business Partner will play a critical role in recruitment, supporting learning development of our leaders and implementing the HR strategy, while ensuring a solid succession planning framework is in place. The role provides full HR Business Partnering services across the Service Delivery and Engineering functions, creating a people plan and acting as a single point of contact for the Engineering Director, Service Delivery Director and their direct reports. The position requires hands-on business partnering, deep employment law expertise, strong influencing and communication skills, and management of HR projects to support the Head of HR and Chief Human Resources Officer. Based in our Cricklewood office, the applicant is expected to travel across all of Metroline’s garages (North and North West of London) and be a visible part of the team.

Main Responsibilities

• Performance Management – Partner with functional management to provide HR direction, build high-performing teams, and infuse a culture that reflects the company values. Support annual objective setting and performance review processes. Educate and develop people managers in all aspects of people management to ensure consistent and effective practices.
• Recruitment & Selection – Support the Engineering and Service Delivery teams with end-to-end recruitment to attract and retain top talent.
• Policies and Procedures – Revise and update existing policies, introduce one standard operating procedure per month to strengthen HR professionalism and operational efficiency.
• Employee Relations – Provide expert advice on ER legislation, keep managers abreast of changes through briefings and workshops, and reduce reliance on external legal support.
• Analysis – Analyse ER data and business insights, highlight trends and recommend actions.
• Learning & Development – Support the Chief HR Officer in implementing learning initiatives, including utilisation of the apprenticeship levy where applicable.
• Succession Planning – Collaborate with business unit leaders and heads of department to ensure robust succession plans for key roles.
• Talent Management – Participate in the bi-annual talent review process for the area.
• HR Metrics – Maintain accurate employee information on database tools (Oracle, Success Factors, Power BI), monitor and act on key HR metrics.
• Engagement – Implement and drive actions based on employee engagement surveys, ensuring initiatives are effective and aligned with company objectives.

Essential Criteria

• Proven experience as an HR business partner in the transport or logistics industry.
• Strong understanding of performance management systems, recruitment processes and learning and development strategies.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience dealing with complex ER cases.
• Exposure to managing ACAS and ET claims.
• Experience working with trade unions.
• Effective time-management skills and ability to manage challenging priorities.
• Self-starter who can work within a team, use initiative and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of employment legislation and its application.
• CIPD level 7 or equivalent HR qualification.

Competencies & Skills

• Strategic thinking – Align HR strategies with business goals, particularly in a dynamic transport environment.
• Analytical skills – Use data and metrics to guide decision-making and improvement.
• Communication and influence – Strong verbal and written communication and ability to influence change across levels.
• Adaptability & resilience – Flexibility to adjust to changing industry demands and resilience to industry-specific challenges.

Hours of Work

38 hours a week with some flexibility to travel within the UK.

The Equality Act

Metroline is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment with due regard to legal obligations for protected characteristics including age, disability, marriage and civil partnership, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex and sexual orientation.

Salary

Competitive.