Strategic Business Partner

Strategic Business Partner

Full-Time 54493 - 66603 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Railpen Limited

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Shape people strategy and drive change at Railpen, partnering with senior leaders.
  • Company: Join Railpen, a leader in pension management with a commitment to community and innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and a robust pension scheme.
  • Other info: Embrace a culture of inclusivity and personal development while working flexibly.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on organisational capability and employee relations in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: CIPD qualified with 7+ years in strategic HR roles and strong stakeholder management skills.

The predicted salary is between 54493 - 66603 £ per year.

Strategic Business Partner Intro

Shape the future of people strategy at Railpen.

As we evolve our People function to support Railpen's future ambitions, we're looking for an experienced Strategic Business Partner to join our People Business Partnering team.

This is a permanent role, primarily London-based, working on a hybrid basis, although we will also consider candidates based in Darlington for the right individual.

You'll have the opportunity to influence people strategy at the highest levels of the organisation, partnering with Executive Committee members, senior leaders and key stakeholders to shape organisational capability, drive people-focused change and support the successful delivery of our business objectives.

Who we are

Railpen is responsible for the safekeeping and investment of around £36 billion in assets and the administration of several pension schemes, including the Railways Pension Scheme, one of the UK's largest and longest established pension funds.

Our heritage of looking after the pension needs of the rail industry and its employees gives us our name and our unique outlook on how we serve our members.

Railpen takes a holistic view, focusing on how we serve members today and how we can positively impact the communities and the world they will retire into.

To learn more about Railpen including our values, culture and purpose, visit our Linked In Life page here.

The role

This role will particularly suit experienced People Business Partners looking to operate at a strategic level, influencing organisational direction and partnering with senior leaders to deliver meaningful business outcomes.

As a trusted adviser to Executive and senior leadership teams, you'll use your understanding of people strategy, workforce planning, organisational effectiveness and change management to help shape the future of Railpen.

Working closely with People colleagues and Centres of Expertise, you'll ensure our people priorities remain aligned to the evolving needs of the business.

Key responsibilities

  • Partnering with Executive Committee members, senior leaders and leadership teams to develop and deliver people strategies aligned to business objectives.
  • Providing coaching, challenge and support to senior stakeholders on organisational, leadership and people matters.
  • Leading workforce planning and organisational change initiatives to ensure Railpen has the capability required to meet its future ambitions.
  • Driving the delivery of strategic people plans and translating long-term objectives into actionable outcomes.
  • Using data, insight and external market trends to influence decision-making and improve organisational effectiveness.
  • Identifying risks, opportunities and performance challenges, recommending practical and commercially sound solutions.
  • Building strong relationships across the organisation to influence outcomes and drive accountability.
  • Supporting and developing People Business Partners, helping to build capability and consistency across the team.
  • Supporting the successful delivery of the annual people cycle, including performance, talent and succession activities.
  • Working with trade unions and employee representatives to support positive employee relations and organisational change.

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.

  • You’ll bring
  • CIPD qualified (essential).
  • Significant People Business Partnering experience, typically gained over 7+ years in senior HR or People partnering roles.
  • Experience working closely with Executive Committees, senior leadership teams and complex stakeholder groups.
  • Experience working with trade unions and employee representatives, with the confidence to navigate complex employee relations matters.
  • A proven track record of developing and delivering people strategies that support business objectives.
  • Experience leading or supporting large-scale organisational change and transformation programmes.
  • Experience operating within a regulated or highly governed environment, with the ability to balance organisational, regulatory and colleague considerations.
  • Strong workforce planning, organisational development and talent management experience.
  • Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence, coach and constructively challenge senior leaders.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate insight into meaningful action.
  • Commercial awareness and the ability to balance people priorities with organisational objectives.
  • Exceptional communication skills and the ability to build trusted relationships at all levels.

Our values of integrity, community and alignment are the guiding principles that influence our behaviour.

They help us make decisions and shape our relationships with others.

They’re what we stand for.

You will actively demonstrate our values, helping to create a safe environment, to place the needs of the community above oneself and, through a culture of ‘fair challenge’, align to the best interests of our members.

  • What we can offer you
  • A competitive salary (depending on experience)
  • 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
  • Generous annual bonus plan
  • We provide membership of the Railways Pension Scheme, a Defined Benefit arrangement under which you get a pension for life and a lump sum when you retire, based on your length of service and pay
  • 4x Life Assurance cover
  • Health & Wellbeing Private Medical Insurance
  • Employee assistance programme
  • Health cash plan
  • Eye care vouchers
  • Flu vaccination
  • Lifestyle
  • We support hybrid and flexible working along with very generous family leave including 12 months full pay maternity leave and 6 months full pay paternity leave
  • Buy and sell holidays
  • Give as you earn scheme
  • Paid volunteering days
  • Flexible half days leave
  • Electric vehicle leasing
  • Cycle to work scheme

Railpen is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment, we value diversity and welcome people from all backgrounds and walks of life.

At Railpen we know that it’s the talent of our people that makes us good at what we do and enables us to continue to achieve our mission to pay members’ pensions securely, affordably and sustainably.

The unique nature of Railpen offers our people a wide variety of interesting opportunities for innovation, thought leadership and personal development.

We encourage people to challenge, explore unconventional ideas and give each other the space to learn from our mistakes.

We take time to listen to each other’s ideas and understand what we each do, and what we need from each other to help us be at our best.

Railpen is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment, we value diversity and welcome people from all backgrounds and walks of life.

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Strategic Business Partner employer: Railpen Limited

Railpen Limited is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With the flexibility of hybrid working in Darlington, employees enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact through engaging communications that simplify pension information for members.

Railpen Limited

Contact Details:

Railpen Limited Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Strategic Business Partner

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 Railpen Limited!

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 Railpen Limited.

We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Business Partner

CIPD qualified
People Business Partnering
Stakeholder Management
Organisational Development
Workforce Planning
Change Management
Analytical Skills

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 Railpen Limited. 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 Railpen Limited 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 Railpen Limited. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.

Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Railpen Limited'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 Railpen Limited

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 Railpen Limited.

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 Railpen Limited 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 Railpen Limited and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.