People Business Partner

A vacancy has arisen for a People Business Partner to join the People Team on a fixed-term contract basis of up to 18 months in duration. Reporting to the Deputy Head of People, the People Business Partner works closely with designated Business Units, Senior Leadership Team members and the wider People Team to make sure people priorities support business goals.

Summary of the role

The role provides clear, practical advice and constructive challenge to managers on employee relations, performance, workforce planning, change and wider people matters. By building trusted relationships and using sound judgement, insight and employment law knowledge, the People Business Partner helps managers make fair, consistent decisions and supports stronger leadership capability across the business.

Summary of Main Responsibilities

• Work with designated Business Units, Senior Leadership Team members and key stakeholders to make sure people priorities are aligned to business goals and operational needs.
• Build trusted relationships across the business so managers feel supported to make fair, confident and consistent people decisions.
• Advise, coach and constructively challenge managers on employee relations, performance, feedback, development, workforce planning and change activity.
• Use people insight, evidence and data to understand priorities, identify risks and shape practical solutions.
• Support a high-performance culture where talent is recognised, people are stretched appropriately and poor performance is addressed fairly and consistently.
• Provide clear guidance on people practices, including restructures, succession planning, policy application, complex casework and employee relations matters.
• Support local union engagement, employee representative forums and Port Council activity in a way that encourages constructive partnership working.
• Work closely with People Advisers, People Services colleagues and other People Business Partners to deliver a consistent, joined-up People Team service.

Skills & Experience

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
• Clear and effective communication skills.
• Analytical and practical thinking skills.
• Experience as a generalist People Business Partner or experienced HR Adviser in a complex, operational environment.
• Exposure to supporting union engagement or pay negotiations would be advantageous.

Knowledge

• Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and its practical application in employee relations, performance, change and policy matters.
• Good understanding of union engagement, consultation processes and partnership working with employee representatives.

Education

• Ideally CIPD qualified to Level 5 or above, or able to demonstrate equivalent experience through a business management or HRM qualification.

Mindset & Judgement

• Uses sound judgement, evidence and employment law knowledge to support fair, balanced and consistent decision making.
• Is confident to constructively challenge assumptions and offer practical, business-focused people solutions.
• Balances strategic priorities with operational realities and turns people challenges into clear, outcome-focused plans.

Influence & Relationships

• Builds trusted relationships with managers, senior leaders, employees and employee representatives.
• Influences through credibility, clarity and professional challenge, rather than authority alone.
• Works collaboratively across the People Team to provide a joined-up, consistent and professional service.
• Supports constructive engagement with unions, employee representatives and local forums to strengthen partnership working.
• Flexible in approach and able to adapt working style to meet business, stakeholder and operational needs.

Behaviour & Values

• Acts with integrity, professionalism and discretion when handling sensitive people matters.
• Treats people fairly and consistently, with respect in every interaction.
• Takes a proactive, solution-focused approach to supporting business performance and employee experience.
• Contributes to a one-team People Team culture by sharing insight, supporting colleagues and helping improve how people services are delivered.

Role Commitments

• Able to travel across operational sites as required, with a full driving licence essential.
• Confident representing the People Team in business unit meetings, local forums, union engagement and senior stakeholder discussions.
• Confident presenting people insights, recommendations and updates to senior leaders in a clear and professional way.
• Able to build and maintain effective local networks across operational areas.
• Occasional overnight travel may be required.

Why Join Us?

Alongside a competitive salary, you’ll benefit from:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Company pension scheme
• Hybrid working arrangements
• Enhanced family-friendly policies
• Access to learning and development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Programme
• A welcoming, inclusive, and supportive workplace culture

Job reference: PBP3060