HR Business Partner in Crewe

Hybrid working with travel across Arriva Rail Services locations required

Reporting to:Head of HR
Contract:Permanent
Location:Flexible / Hybrid

Arriva Rail Services brings together a diverse portfolio of rail businesses, supporting the safe, reliable and efficient delivery of rail transport services across the UK. We're looking for an experienced HR Business Partner to deliver a proactive, commercially focused HR service that supports our people, drives operational performance and enables business growth. This is an excellent opportunity for an HR professional who enjoys partnering with leaders, influencing positive change and delivering practical people solutions across a fast-paced and varied operational environment.

The Role - HR Business Partner

Reporting to the Head of HR, you will be responsible for overseeing the HR support service provided across the business, partnering with leaders to deliver strategic HR initiatives and providing expert guidance on complex employee relations matters. You will also lead key HR projects, support organisational change and help shape people practices that enable the business to achieve its objectives.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Company pension scheme
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Hybrid working arrangements
• Arriva Village staff benefits and retail discounts
• Access to employee assistance and wellbeing programmes
• Free or reduced-rate travel benefits across Arriva services (where applicable)
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities
• Career progression across the wider Arriva Group
• A supportive and collaborative working environment where your contribution can make a real impact

Key Accountabilities

• Support the Head of HR in delivering strategic HR initiatives and deputise when required.
• Build strong partnerships with operational leaders and stakeholders across the wider Arriva business.
• Lead on complex employee relations cases and provide expert employment law advice.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with Trade Unions and employee representatives.
• Lead and support key business projects, including TUPE transfers and organisational change programmes.
• Analyse HR metrics and trends to provide insight and drive business improvement.
• Coach and support managers to build capability and ensure consistent people management practices.
• Ensure HR processes, systems and policies remain compliant and effective.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with business leaders to support the delivery of business and people strategies.
• Provide expert advice and guidance on employment law, employee relations and HR best practice.
• Manage complex and high-risk employee relations cases, including disciplinary, grievance, absence, consultation and restructuring matters.
• Lead HR projects, including TUPE transfers, changes to working practices and policy implementation.
• Support collective pay negotiations and coordinate annual pay review and bonus processes.
• Work closely with the Talent Acquisition team to support workforce planning and attraction strategies.
• Oversee onboarding, induction and employee lifecycle processes to ensure compliance and a positive employee experience.
• Manage relationships with Occupational Health providers and support employee wellbeing initiatives.
• Lead, coach and develop HR Officers within the business.
• Produce, analyse and present HR data, KPI reports and management information to support decision-making.
• Ensure HR systems and employee data remain accurate, compliant and fit for purpose.

Our Requirements

• Proven experience in a HR Business Partner, HR Manager or Senior HR Advisor role.
• Strong employee relations experience, including managing complex and high-risk cases.
• Excellent knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
• Experience leading organisational change initiatives and HR projects.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility at all levels.
• Excellent communication, coaching and relationship-building skills.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to use data to identify trends and inform decisions.
• Experience using HR systems and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working within a unionised environment.
• Experience supporting TUPE transfers and large-scale organisational change.
• Experience within rail, engineering, transport, manufacturing or another operationally focused industry.
• Knowledge of Workday or similar HRIS platforms.

Why Join Arriva Rail Services?

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a business where HR is valued as a true partner to operations. You'll have the chance to influence key decisions, lead meaningful projects and help develop a high-performing, engaged workforce across a nationally recognised rail business. If you're a commercially focused HR professional who enjoys balancing strategic thinking with operational delivery, we'd love to hear from you.