At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive people strategy and support change initiatives in a dynamic aviation environment.
- Company: Join NATS, the UK's leading air navigation service provider, ensuring safe skies.
- Benefits: Negotiable salary, pension scheme, car allowance, private health, and more.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on aviation safety while developing your HR expertise.
- Qualifications: Senior HR practitioner with strong commercial acumen and consultancy skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Salary - Negotiable, plus NATS benefits; including a leading pension scheme, car allowance, private health, income protection, life assurance. Closing date - 2nd July 2026.
NATS is the UK’s leading air navigation service provider, handling over 2.4 million flights each year. We provide air traffic control services from two control centres and at airports around the UK. We also provide a wide range of commercial products and solutions internationally. Our people are at the heart of our purpose to advance aviation and keep the skies safe.
Job Purpose
This role will champion and drive the People and Organisation strategy in their assigned business areas, acting as a focal point for change for NATS. This person will stand as a coach and sounding board for senior people leaders within their business areas, providing commercially tuned advice, expert insight, and leading/delivering and advising on people-based change projects. This person will manage the people plan and local ER environment for their business area.
Other Duties Include
- Acts as the key liaison between a business area and the wider HR function and as a champion for the People and Organisation agenda, including sitting and advising on LT meetings.
- Own the people plan for assigned area, including support for: transformation activity, OD, talent and succession, development of potential and talent segments, identification of talent gaps and learning requirements.
- Manage and own the local ER environment, including delivery and local ER resolution (accountable for flagging ER risks).
- Support people-related business activity, driving efficiency, the NATS values, development initiatives and culture changes (whilst also ensuring employment legislation and NATS policy compliance), including promoting a high-performance culture.
- Liaise with SMEs and business area to deliver and provide feedback loop on wider HR projects.
- Promote policy deployment and implementation plans, ensure business feedback into policy through development stage, and promote policy compliance.
- Oversee and/or manage complex or significant cases as required.
- Focal point/project lead: in addition to their partner focus, acts as a HR wide focal point or project lead on specific activity supporting functional or business wide activity.
Essential Qualifications, skills and experience
- Senior practitioner level on a full spectrum of people/HR knowledge areas (including employment law, OD, D&I, PM, L&D, ER etc).
- Trade union experience.
- High levels of commercial and business acumen, including strong data analysis skills.
- Demonstrate and promote a commitment to CPD, and willingness to role modelling company values and behaviours.
- Excellent consultancy skills and ability to coach others as a team leader.
- Significant knowledge and experience of change management and project management.
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent.
CIPD Knowledge Areas
HR BPs are expected to possess/demonstrate ‘core knowledge’ areas, to at least Chartered Member level. Depending on the business area the Business Partner is assigned to and the nature of the role they are filling, they are expected to possess up to 3 of the following CIPD knowledge areas, in addition to the ‘core knowledge.’
- CIPD Knowledge Area: Level
- Core Knowledge (People practice, culture and behaviour, business acumen, analytics and creating value, digital working, change) – Chartered Member level.
- Employee Engagement – Chartered Member level.
- Employee Relations – Chartered Member level.
- Talent Management – Chartered Member level.
- Organisation Development and Design – Chartered Member level.
- Reward – Chartered Member level.
Additional Vacancy Information
We are proud to offer a fantastic total reward package to help you thrive both personally and professionally. We have adopted agile working to provide greater flexibility and increased choice over working arrangements, with the opportunity for this role to work in our modern office facilities as well as remotely. If you share our passion to advance aviation and keep the skies safe – we would like to hear from you whatever your age, sex, race, faith, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, visible or invisible disability. Individuals that bring different perspectives, skills, life experiences and backgrounds help us be at the forefront of our industry.
HR Business Partner in Knowle employer: NATS
NATS is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With a comprehensive benefits package including a leading pension scheme, private health, and flexible working arrangements, NATS fosters an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued. As the UK's leading air navigation service provider, employees have the unique opportunity to contribute to the safety and advancement of aviation while developing their careers in a supportive and innovative setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Business Partner in Knowle
✨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 NATS!
✨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 NATS.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Business Partner in Knowle
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 NATS. 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 NATS 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 NATS. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to NATS'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 NATS
✨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 NATS.
✨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 NATS 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 NATS and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
