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- Tasks: Lead HR strategy and support senior leaders to enhance people management and performance.
- Company: Network Rail connects communities and values its people, offering a supportive work environment.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 28 days annual leave, flexible working, healthcare, and discounts on shopping and gym memberships.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on people management while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: CIPD qualification or equivalent experience, with strong business acumen and coaching skills required.
- Other info: Diverse applicants are encouraged; face-to-face drug testing may be required.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Join Network Rail - Where People and Connections Matter.
At Network Rail, you will have a clear development path with access to training and additional qualifications. You can enjoy a range of employee benefits, such as up to 28 days annual leave, 75% of Leisure Travel and Season Ticket for travel, a range of pension options, flexible and agile working arrangements, healthcare, discounts on shopping, gym memberships, and much more.
The Senior HR Business Partner will play a pivotal role as a trusted partner to the route’s senior leadership team, proactively identifying and addressing the people-related needs of the business to enhance overall performance. In close collaboration with the wider HR function, the Senior HRBP will drive the implementation of the People Plan and HR strategy, aligning them with the route's strategic goals.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading critical workstreams such as talent and succession planning, employee relations, performance management, employee engagement, and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI).
- Leading the delivery of HR projects that align with business priorities.
- Providing expert coaching to senior & mid-level leaders, enhancing leadership capability, strengthening people management practices, and fostering a high-performance culture across the business.
- Developing and mentoring the HR Business Partner team, fostering a collaborative and high-performing HR function.
- Building capability within the team to drive strategic HR initiatives and support the route effectively.
- Elevating the people management skills of line managers, promoting accountability, leadership effectiveness, and organizational success.
- Deputising for the Head of HR as required, taking on leadership responsibilities across the broader HR agenda.
This role demands a strategic, solution-focused approach, leveraging commercial insight and resilience to address operational and long-term people challenges, influencing at all levels to deliver measurable business impact.
Key Accountabilities:
- Develop, drive, and implement the HR Strategy/People Plan in collaboration with the supported business areas, focusing on talent, succession planning, and change management to support business objectives and foster a high-performance culture.
- Build strong relationships with senior business leaders and stakeholders, coaching and advising them, and co-developing integrated people initiatives to meet current and future needs.
- Lead and support change programmes, championing HR solutions within the business area, and gaining stakeholder acceptance.
- Manage trade union relationships proactively, working with Employee Relations teams, HR Business Partners, and managers.
- Reinforce ownership of people management by line managers and promote the HR Business Partner model.
- Collaborate with Centres of Expertise, HR Shared Services, HR Direct, and other HR teams to improve HR services and influence strategic development.
Job Skills, Experience, and Qualifications:
- Strong business acumen and understanding of business needs.
- Proven experience partnering with senior leaders to improve people management.
- Passion for customer service and ability to demonstrate achievements through business outcomes.
- Knowledge of implementing best practice HR solutions to foster high performance.
- Ability to establish credibility quickly.
- Experience coaching, influencing, and building relationships with senior leaders.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.
- Experience in talent development and retention strategies.
- CIPD qualification or relevant equivalent experience.
- Experience managing complex change programmes (e.g., TUPE, re-design, redundancies).
- Graduate calibre.
- Experience working in a highly unionized environment, especially supporting Maintenance & Operations functions.
- Understanding of project management principles and complex project execution.
Key Leadership Capabilities:
- Influencing others
- Creating solutions
- Understanding others
- Making things happen
- Thinking flexibly
We encourage applications from diverse backgrounds and underrepresented groups. If this role isn't for you, other opportunities may be available within our wider team.
Closing date: 27th May 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.
Please include any reasonable adjustments in your application.
Senior Human Resources Business Partner employer: Network Rail Limited
Contact Detail:
Network Rail Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Human Resources Business Partner
✨Tip Number 1
Network Rail values strong relationships with senior leaders, so focus on networking. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet HR professionals and leaders in the field. This will help you gain insights into their needs and demonstrate your interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Network Rail's People Plan and HR strategy. Understanding their current initiatives will allow you to speak knowledgeably about how you can contribute to their goals during interviews or discussions with hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight your experience in managing complex change programmes, especially in unionised environments. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully navigated such challenges, as this is crucial for the Senior HRBP role at Network Rail.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your coaching and mentoring skills by sharing success stories where you've developed leadership capabilities in others. This aligns with the role's focus on enhancing people management practices and fostering a high-performance culture.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Human Resources Business Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in HR, particularly in areas like talent management, employee relations, and coaching senior leaders. Use specific examples that demonstrate your impact on business outcomes.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for HR and how your skills align with the responsibilities of the Senior HR Business Partner role. Mention your understanding of Network Rail's strategic goals and how you can contribute to them.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your CIPD qualification or equivalent experience in your application. If you have experience in a highly unionized environment or managing complex change programmes, make sure to emphasise this as it is crucial for the role.
Showcase Leadership Capabilities: Demonstrate your leadership capabilities by providing examples of how you've influenced others, created solutions, and made things happen in previous roles. This will help illustrate your fit for the strategic nature of the position.
How to prepare for a job interview at Network Rail Limited
✨Understand the Business Needs
Before your interview, research Network Rail and its strategic goals. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their business needs, particularly in areas like talent management and employee engagement.
✨Showcase Your Coaching Skills
As a Senior HR Business Partner, you'll be expected to coach senior leaders. Prepare examples of how you've successfully influenced and developed leadership capabilities in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Change Management Experience
Be ready to discuss your experience with managing complex change programmes. Highlight specific instances where you led initiatives that resulted in measurable improvements within an organisation.
✨Emphasise Relationship Building
Network Rail values strong relationships with stakeholders. Share examples of how you've built and maintained effective partnerships with senior leaders and trade unions to drive HR initiatives.
