Head of People Business Partnering

Head of People Business Partnering

Full-Time 75000 - 75000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Scania (Great Britain) Limited

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team to drive people strategy and enhance organisational performance.
  • Company: Dynamic company focused on people development and inclusive culture.
  • Benefits: Starting salary from £75,000, hybrid working, generous leave, and bonus eligibility.
  • Other info: Join a supportive team with opportunities for professional growth and development.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on people strategy and organisational change across the UK.
  • Qualifications: CIPD Level 7 preferred; strong leadership and strategic mindset required.

The predicted salary is between 75000 - 75000 £ per year.

Location: Based from Milton Keynes (HQ) with National Travel required

Salary: Starting from £75,000+ car, plus an excellent benefits package including:

  • Hybrid working
  • Enhanced parental leave
  • Eligibility to annual bonus scheme
  • Access to a fantastic loan car scheme
  • 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
  • Competitive pension
  • 4x basic salary life assurance

As Head of People Business Partnering, you will play a pivotal role in supporting our Retail workshops and regional teams throughout the UK. Leading the team of People Business Partners, you will drive a consistent, commercially focused and service-oriented People partnering approach.

You will be at the heart of our People strategy, working to build leadership capability and deliver strategic People initiatives across talent, performance, skills, engagement, inclusion, organisational design and change. A passion for people, development and strategy are all essential.

In this role, you will:

  • Be responsible for developing and deploying the People Strategy throughout our organisation
  • Nurture, coach and develop a geographically dispersed team of People Business Partners, covering multiple UK sites and business units.
  • Partner with senior stakeholders to drive organisational design, workforce planning and business transformation initiatives.
  • Use people data and operational insights to influence decision-making, improve workforce performance and identify future capability needs.
  • Oversee talent, succession and performance management initiatives to strengthen capability and critical talent pipelines.
  • Oversee complex employee relations matters, ensuring compliance, consistency and positive employee outcomes.
  • Drive employee engagement, wellbeing, inclusion and culture initiatives that support a high-performing and customer-focused environment.
  • Partner with Reward, Finance and People Development teams on reward strategy, skills development and workforce optimisation.
  • Support the delivery of strategic people projects and change programmes aligned to organisational priorities.

About you:

  • Strategic & commercial mindset - able to link people initiatives to operational and financial outcomes (e.g. reduced downtime, improved CSI/NPS, retention of critical skills).
  • Remote leadership - skilled in leading, building trust and driving performance to a geographically dispersed People team.
  • Influencing & stakeholder management - credible with senior leaders and branch managers; able to challenge constructively and shape decisions through data and insight.
  • Change & transformation - strong track record overseeing people aspects of change in operational environments (e.g. new systems, process changes, restructuring).
  • Data-driven - comfortable using people and operational data to identify risks/opportunities and measure impact.
  • Employment law & ER - detailed knowledge of UK employment law and good practice, including experience with union/employee representative environments (where applicable).
  • Excellent Communicator – interpersonal skills, clear, pragmatic communication style; able to engage with a range of audiences.
  • Qualified - CIPD Level 7 (or equivalent) preferred with proven People Business Partnering leadership.

If you’re interested in this role we’d love to hear from you.

Closing date: 22nd May 2026

Interview dates: 3rd June 2026

Next steps: If you like the sound of this position, please apply today. Your application will be reviewed by the hiring manager or a member of the Scania Recruitment Team. If you are successful at this stage, you will be invited to have a conversation and discuss the role further.

We understand that every candidate is unique, and we strive to accommodate your needs. If you require any adjustments during the application process, please reach out to our Recruitment Team, we’ll be happy to discuss these with you.

Head of People Business Partnering employer: Scania (Great Britain) Limited

At SGB, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee development and well-being. Based in Milton Keynes, our Head of People Business Partnering role provides the opportunity to lead a geographically dispersed team while enjoying a competitive salary, hybrid working options, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes enhanced parental leave and a fantastic loan car scheme. Join us to make a meaningful impact on our people strategy and contribute to a high-performing, inclusive environment across the UK.
Scania (Great Britain) Limited

Contact Detail:

Scania (Great Britain) Limited Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of People Business Partnering

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even reach out to folks on LinkedIn. The more connections we make, the better our chances of landing that dream job.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews! Research the company inside out and think about how your skills align with their needs. We want to show them that we’re not just a good fit, but the perfect fit for the Head of People Business Partnering role.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice makes perfect! Grab a friend or family member and do some mock interviews. This will help us get comfortable with our answers and boost our confidence when it’s time to shine in front of the hiring team.

✨Tip Number 4

Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows our enthusiasm for the role and keeps us fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate why we’re the best choice for the position.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of People Business Partnering

People Strategy Development
Leadership Capability Building
Organisational Design
Workforce Planning
Business Transformation
Data Analysis
Employee Relations
Change Management
Stakeholder Management
Influencing Skills
CIPD Level 7 (or equivalent)
Communication Skills
Employee Engagement
Inclusion Initiatives

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of People Business Partnering role. Highlight your strategic mindset and any relevant leadership experience to catch our eye!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about people and development. Share specific examples of how you've driven change and transformation in previous roles to show us what you can bring to the table.

Showcase Your Data Skills: Since this role involves using people data to influence decisions, be sure to mention any experience you have with data analysis. We love candidates who can back up their strategies with solid insights!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves!

How to prepare for a job interview at Scania (Great Britain) Limited

✨Know Your People Strategy

Before the interview, dive deep into the company's people strategy. Understand how it aligns with their business goals and be ready to discuss how your experience can enhance their approach. This shows you’re not just interested in the role but also in contributing to their vision.

✨Showcase Your Data Skills

Since this role involves using people data to drive decisions, prepare examples of how you've used data in previous roles. Be specific about the insights you gained and how they influenced outcomes. This will demonstrate your data-driven mindset and strategic thinking.

✨Prepare for Change Management Questions

Expect questions around change and transformation. Think of instances where you've successfully led teams through change, particularly in operational environments. Highlight your approach to overcoming resistance and ensuring a smooth transition.

✨Engage with Stakeholders

Be ready to discuss your experience in influencing senior leaders and managing stakeholder relationships. Prepare examples that illustrate your ability to challenge constructively and shape decisions. This will show your credibility and communication skills, which are crucial for this role.

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