HR Business Partner in Watford

We are recruiting an experienced HR Business Partner to join a growing, fast-paced, multi-site organisation who have their Head Office in Watford. This will be a 12 month Fixed Term Contract. This is not a traditional HRBP role. Whilst you'll provide broad generalist HR support, the focus is firmly on employee relations, manager capability and creating long-term people solutions rather than simply responding to issues as they arise.

We're looking for someone who thrives in a hands-on environment, enjoys tackling complex employee relations matters, and is equally passionate about coaching managers, developing capability and embedding robust people processes that prevent recurring issues. If you're someone who enjoys building trusted relationships, influencing operational leaders and making a genuine impact across a business, we'd love to hear from you.

The position will report into the senior leadership team whilst partnering with operational managers across multiple sites. You will provide commercially focused HR support while taking ownership of complex employee relations cases from start to finish. Alongside managing investigations, disciplinary, grievance, absence and performance matters, you'll work proactively to identify trends, strengthen management capability and implement practical solutions that improve consistency and reduce future risk. This role requires regular travel between sites, so we're looking for someone who enjoys building relationships face-to-face and becoming a trusted partner to managers across the business.

• Provide commercially focused HR support across the full employee lifecycle.
• Manage complex employee relations cases from initial advice through to resolution, including investigations, hearings and outcome recommendations.
• Coach and support managers through people matters, ensuring confidence in handling challenging conversations and applying policies consistently.
• Partner with operational leaders to identify recurring people challenges and implement sustainable solutions.
• Design, develop and deliver management training on employee relations, people management and best practice.
• Review and improve HR processes, policies and procedures to drive consistency, compliance and operational effectiveness.
• Analyse people trends and ER data to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and risk reduction.
• Produce accurate HR documentation, reports and employee records in line with legal and company requirements.
• Support wider people initiatives including engagement, organisational change, compliance and continuous improvement projects.

You'll be an experienced HR professional with a strong employee relations background who enjoys balancing operational case management with strategic improvement. You'll be confident challenging and influencing managers, able to build credibility quickly and comfortable working independently across a busy, multi-site environment.

We're particularly interested in individuals who:

• Have significant experience managing complex employee relations cases.
• Are proactive, identifying root causes rather than repeatedly fixing the same issues.
• Enjoy developing managers through coaching, mentoring and practical training.
• Can confidently influence operational leaders while protecting the interests of both the business and its people.
• Build strong working relationships through credibility, trust and excellent communication.
• Are organised, resilient and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Are willing to travel regularly across multiple sites.

Previous experience in an HR Business Partner, Senior HR Advisor or Employee Relations-focused HR role. Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice. Experience delivering manager coaching and people-focused training. CIPD Level 5 qualified (or working towards) is desirable. Experience supporting multi-site operations would be advantageous. Knowledge of European employment law would be beneficial.

This is an opportunity to join a business where you'll have genuine influence over how people are managed across the organisation. You'll work with leaders who value practical HR support, giving you the autonomy to improve processes, strengthen management capability and create lasting change, not simply react to day-to-day employee relations issues.

If you're looking for a role where you can combine expert ER knowledge with coaching, relationship building and continuous improvement, we'd love to hear from you.