At a Glance
- Tasks: Support our people strategy and enhance employee experience across the South West.
- Company: Join VIVO, a leader in facilities management for the UK military.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus, private medical cover, and generous leave.
- Other info: Hybrid role with opportunities for professional development and cultural change.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on employee engagement and organisational growth.
- Qualifications: HR experience with strong relationship-building and problem-solving skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 55000 £ per year.
VIVO provides facilities management and accommodation maintenance for the UK military and its partners. VIVO embodies both experience and innovation.
We put our Customers and Families First. They are the driving force behind everything we do. We drive forward improvements for them to ensure the service they receive, whether reactive repairs or a major project, is completed safely and on time. In order to achieve this, we have 4 core values: open, caring, agile and collaborative. These are at the heart of everything we do.
Location: Exeter, to cover Cornwall to Gloucester. Hybrid role Permanent, Full time Salary: £50,000 - £55,000
Are you an experienced HR professional who thrives on building strong relationships, solving people challenges and helping organisations get the very best from their people? Do you enjoy being close to the operation, influencing leaders and making a genuine difference to the employee experience?
VIVO Defence is looking for an enthusiastic and people-focused HR Business Partner to join our team and play a key role in supporting our people strategy across the South West. This is an exciting opportunity to become a trusted partner to operational leaders, helping them navigate the full employee lifecycle while contributing to the continued growth and development of our business.
As an HR Business Partner, you’ll work closely with site and operational leaders, providing practical, commercially focused HR advice and helping to embed great people management practices. You’ll build strong relationships across the business and work collaboratively with our HR Shared Services team to ensure managers and employees receive a consistent, high-quality HR service.
You’ll have the opportunity to get involved in a broad range of people activity, from recruitment and employee relations through to talent development, engagement, reward and organisational change. You’ll also take ownership of key people projects, including initiatives such as TUPE, restructures and change programmes, giving you the opportunity to make a real impact across a complex and evolving organisation.
This is a role where your ideas and expertise will be valued. You’ll help us continually improve the way we deliver HR, support cultural change and develop innovative people solutions that enable VIVO to deliver exceptional service to our customers. You’ll also play an important role in ensuring our people practices support our wider business objectives, helping us attract, develop and retain the talent we need for the future.
About You
You’ll be a confident and commercially aware HR professional with strong generalist experience and the ability to build trusted relationships with people at all levels. You’ll be comfortable operating in a fast-paced and sometimes complex environment, providing sound advice, challenging constructively and finding practical solutions to people-related issues.
You’ll bring strong experience across areas such as employee relations, recruitment, absence management, organisational change, restructuring, reward and salary benchmarking. Experience of TUPE and working within a complex or demanding organisation would be highly advantageous.
We’re looking for someone who can communicate clearly and confidently, influence effectively and work collaboratively with operational leaders, employees, HR colleagues and other stakeholders. You’ll be comfortable analysing information, producing concise reports and using data to support sound people decisions.
Ideally, you’ll be qualified to MCIPD level, with a degree or equivalent level of education and evidence of continued professional development. You’ll also be confident using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
Most importantly, you’ll be someone who genuinely enjoys working with people. You’ll bring energy, resilience and a positive approach to change, while having the confidence to operate in ambiguity and take ownership of decisions. You’ll be motivated by finding better ways of working and by helping managers and teams achieve their full potential.
VIVO is delivering critical infrastructure, asset and facilities management services across the UK Defence sector, so this is an opportunity to join a business where your work has a real purpose. You’ll be part of a collaborative HR team and have the opportunity to influence how we continue to build our culture, develop our people and support the future growth of VIVO.
The role will involve regular travel to VIVO sites, primarily across the South West of England, so you’ll need to be comfortable being visible and connected to the operation.
If you’re ready to step into a HR Business Partner role where you can make a tangible difference, build strong partnerships and help shape the people agenda within a growing organisation, we’d love to hear from you.
What We Offer
- 6% employee matched pension contribution
- 25 days annual leave
- Bonus
- Company car/Car allowance
- Private medical cover for self and partner
- Life assurance 2x annual salary
At VIVO, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. Therefore, we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool.
We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working and operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly a Disability Confident Leader. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.
HR Business Partner employer: Serco
Serco is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and development. As a Ward Host Assistant at University Hospital Southampton, you will enjoy flexible shift options and the chance to make a meaningful impact on patient care, all while being part of a team that values hospitality and customer service excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR 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 Serco!
✨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 Serco.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Business Partner
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 Serco. 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 Serco 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 Serco. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Serco'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 Serco
✨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 Serco.
✨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 Serco 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 Serco and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
