At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic HR initiatives and support organisational design in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join Standard Life, a leading retirement specialist with over 200 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, private medical cover, and flexible working options.
- Other info: We value diversity and welcome applicants from all backgrounds; apply early to secure your chance!
- Why this job: Make a real impact on people's lives while shaping the future of HR in financial services.
- Qualifications: Proven HR experience at senior management level, with strong communication and influencing skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 75000 £ per year.
We have an incredible opportunity for a HR Business Partner to join our Pensions & Savings HR Partnering team.
Job Type: Fixed Term Contract 12 Months
Location: This role could be based in Birmingham, Telford, London or Edinburgh offices with time spent working in the office and at home.
Flexible working: All of our roles are open to part-time, job-share and other types of flexibility. We will discuss what is important to you and balancing this with business requirements during the recruitment process.
Closing Date: 11/08/2026
Salary and benefits: £50,000 - £75,000 DOE plus 16% bonus up to 32%, private medical cover, 38 days annual leave, excellent pension, 12x salary life assurance, career breaks, income protection, 3x volunteering days and much more.
Who are we? We’re Standard Life, a retirement specialist focused entirely on retirement savings and income. We champion the belief that everyone’s journey to and through retirement can be better, and for more than 200 years, we’ve been helping our customers plan and prepare for their financial futures.
The role: We have an exciting opportunity to join the Pensions & Savings People Team. You will work as a strategic business partner for our Customer, Digital and Information areas enabling delivery of the people agenda to:
- Lead Organisation Design and implementation, supporting the management of change through engagement activity, sharing intended benefits and outcomes, strong stakeholder management and effective communication.
- Provide expert consultancy, at a multi-disciplinary or deep specialist level, to support and enable successful delivery of strategic business plans.
- Work alongside the centre of excellence teams to support and deliver the Talent, Learning, Reward, Culture, Diversity and Inclusion plans for the function.
- Use technical knowledge, skills and experience to influence stakeholders and leadership teams in line with the people strategy, governing policies, legislation and appropriate regulation.
- Use data, metrics and other information to develop insight to identify opportunities for improvement and develop proposals that bring about positive change, reinforcing and underpinning business objectives.
- Build and maintain relationships with managers up to and including executive level and other internal and external stakeholders to ensure advice and recommendations are relevant, informed, sustainable and commercially viable.
What are we looking for?
- Proven HR experience of business partnering, organisation design or strategic delivery at senior management level in a financial services environment.
- Lateral thinker, capable of delivering innovative and pragmatic solutions at pace and through others where required.
- Commercial acumen and an understanding of the business, with the ability to work strategically and tactically across the whole employee lifecycle, always demonstrating added value.
- An autonomous and independent operator, with the ability to balance leading organisational design and delivery of large scale people impacts, alongside BAU activities and build business as well as HR knowledge, with desire to learn and grow in role.
- Excellent communication skills and proven experience of influencing, coaching and challenging leader behaviour to drive culture change and the achievement of business and people outcomes aligned to the business vision and priorities.
We want to hire the whole version of you. We are committed to ensuring that everyone feels accepted and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If your experience looks different from what we’ve advertised and you believe that you can bring value to the role, we’d love to hear from you. If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know so we can help you to be at your best.
We’re reviewing applications as they come in and may close this role before the closing date, so apply early to avoid missing out.
HR Business Partner employer: Standard Life (previously Phoenix Group)
Standard Life is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where BPA Actuaries can thrive and make a meaningful impact in the life insurance sector. With a strong focus on employee growth, competitive salaries, and an attractive benefits package that includes private medical cover and generous annual leave, employees are supported in achieving a healthy work-life balance. The hybrid working model allows for flexibility, making it an ideal workplace for those seeking both professional development and personal fulfilment.
Contact Details:
Standard Life (previously Phoenix Group) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Business Partner
✨Get Your Foot in the Door with Temp Agencies
Temporary roles in HR are often filled through agencies. Reach out to temp agencies that specialise in HR placements. They can help you find gigs quickly and give you a chance to demonstrate your skills in real-world scenarios.
✨Network at HR Events and Workshops
Dive into local HR events, workshops, and seminars. These are great opportunities to meet professionals already in the field and might lead to temporary positions. Be sure to have a chat, exchange contacts, and express your interest in on-the-spot opportunities!
✨Showcase Your Flexibility
In the temporary HR world, being adaptable is key. When you're networking or interviewing, highlight your ability to quickly learn and fill diverse roles, from recruitment to employee onboarding. Make it clear that you’re ready to dive in at any time!
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to check out the opportunities at Standard Life (previously Phoenix Group) and apply directly via our website. This way, you can express your interest in temporary roles and get ahead in the application process!
We think you need these skills to ace HR Business Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your People Skills:In HR, showcasing your interpersonal skills is key. Make sure your CV highlights any experience you have dealing with talent management, resolving conflicts, or facilitating workshops. We want to see your ability to connect with others!
Tailor Your CV to HR:Use HR-specific language in your CV and cover letter. Mention any specific HR tools, software, or methodologies you’re familiar with, like ATS systems or performance management frameworks. This will show that you’re not just a good fit, but you've got the know-how to back it up!
Emphasise Your Flexibility:Since this is a temporary role, emphasising your adaptability and willingness to learn quickly is crucial. Include examples of how you've successfully jumped into new environments before or handled sudden changes in previous jobs. We love a team player who can hit the ground running!
Availability Matters:In your application, make sure to clarify your availability and commitment to the temporary position. This will help us understand when you can start and how you fit into our plans at Standard Life (previously Phoenix Group). So, don’t be shy about laying it all out there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Standard Life (previously Phoenix Group)
✨Showcase Your Adaptability
Given that this is a temporary HR role at Standard Life (previously Phoenix Group), it's crucial to demonstrate your flexibility and ability to adapt quickly. You might be thrown into new projects or systems, so share examples of how you've successfully navigated changes in past roles.
✨Familiarise Yourself with HR Tools
Many HR positions require familiarity with tools like HRIS or ATS systems. Before the interview, brush up on the specific software that Standard Life (previously Phoenix Group) uses—if you see any mentioned in the job posting, make sure you're ready to discuss them and your experience with similar tools.
✨Your Motivation Matters
As a temp, it's essential to convey your motivation for this role. Employers often look for candidates who are not just filling a position, but who are genuinely keen on contributing effectively in a short period. Consider sharing why you’re passionate about HR and how you see yourself adding value at Standard Life (previously Phoenix Group).
✨Prepare for Real-World Scenarios
HR interviews often include situational questions that test your problem-solving skills. Think about common HR challenges, like dealing with conflict or managing onboarding efficiently, and prepare to discuss how you would handle these situations at Standard Life (previously Phoenix Group).
