At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR initiatives, support local teams, and drive people strategy in education.
- Company: Join a respected education provider focused on culture and people development.
- Benefits: Enjoy a collaborative environment with opportunities for personal growth and impactful work.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education while shaping a values-driven culture.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior HR roles within the education sector is essential.
- Other info: This role offers a chance to influence change and enhance employee wellbeing.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Senior HR Business Partner
14-month Fixed-Term Contract to start: March / April 2026
Oakleaf is partnering with a global financial services firm of around 300 employees to appoint a Senior HR Business Partner on a 14-month fixed-term contract.
Reporting to the Global Head of HR, the role partners with senior stakeholders across London and APAC, delivering strategic and hands-on HR support across the full employee lifecycle while contributing to global HR initiatives. The position also has line management responsibility for a small HR Operations and Learning & Development team within a collaborative, non-hierarchical HR function. This is a high-impact opportunity for a confident HRBP comfortable operating across cultures, geographies and at both strategic and operational levels.
- Partner with senior leaders and Country Heads to support workforce planning, succession planning and organisational design.
- Act as a trusted advisor on people strategy and support and lead people-related projects.
- Provide advice on employee relations matters across multiple jurisdictions, preparing documentation and guiding best practice outcomes.
- Act as an escalation point for HR issues and queries.
- Provide strategic oversight across the employee lifecycle.
- Oversee HR policies and procedures, supporting updates and global implementation.
- Support performance management and promotion cycles.
- Oversee outsourced payroll operations across APAC, ensuring accurate inputs, approvals and compliance.
- Review and validate UK payroll outputs in partnership with Finance.
- Partner with leaders on recruitment strategy for senior hiring, selection and interview processes and manage agency relationships where required.
- Collaborate closely with Finance on resource planning and forecasting.
- Oversee learning and development activity, supporting leadership capability and future talent needs.
- Support the annual compensation and benefits cycle in partnership with Reward and Finance colleagues.
- Provide oversight and coaching to HR Operations and L&D team members, fostering collaboration and development within the team.
About You:
- Previous experience operating as a Senior HR Generalist.
- Exposure to financial services or similarly regulated environments.
- People management experience.
- Strong international HR experience with a working knowledge of employment law across multiple jurisdictions.
- Confident partnering with senior leaders, with the credibility to influence and challenge constructively.
- Collaborative, low-ego and hands-on, with a genuine team-player mindset.
- Strong communication, stakeholder management and project delivery skills.
This is a highly visible role partnering with senior leadership in a genuinely collaborative business. You will gain broad global exposure across APAC and Europe with the opportunity to shape and influence HR processes in a supportive, down-to-earth culture where HR is valued as a true partner.
Please apply and email for more information.
HR Business Partner employer: Oakleaf
Contact Detail:
Oakleaf Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Business Partner
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the education sector, especially those in HR roles. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends in educational HR practices.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced by schools and multi-site educational settings. Understanding these nuances will help you demonstrate your strategic thinking and problem-solving skills during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership and coaching experiences in detail. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully influenced change and developed talent within an educational context.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the organisation's values and culture thoroughly. Tailor your conversations to reflect how your personal values align with theirs, showcasing your commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Business Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in HR, particularly within the education sector. Emphasise your strategic leadership roles and any specific achievements that align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for education and people development. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you can influence culture and drive people initiatives effectively.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, focus on key skills such as coaching, employee relations, and change management. Make sure to provide concrete examples of how you've successfully applied these skills in previous roles.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: Describe your leadership approach and how it aligns with the values of the organisation. Mention any experience you have in managing teams and developing talent, as this is crucial for the People Partner role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Oakleaf
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
As a People Partner, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to think strategically. Prepare examples of how you've successfully implemented HR strategies in the past, particularly in educational settings. Highlight your understanding of aligning people initiatives with organisational goals.
✨Emphasise Leadership and Coaching Skills
This role requires strong leadership capabilities. Be ready to discuss your experience in coaching and developing teams. Share specific instances where you've supported leaders or HR teams to enhance their performance and engagement.
✨Demonstrate Knowledge of Employee Relations
Given the importance of employee relations in this role, prepare to discuss your experience handling complex ER matters. Provide examples of how you've resolved issues fairly and consistently, and how you've contributed to a positive workplace culture.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world situations. Think about challenges you've faced in previous roles, especially in multi-site educational environments, and how you navigated them effectively.