At a Glance
- Tasks: Partner with engineering teams to enhance employee engagement and manage complex HR cases.
- Company: Join a leading fintech known for its innovative culture and rapid growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, flexible hours, and a vibrant workplace.
- Other info: Diverse team culture with opportunities for professional growth and learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your HR expertise.
- Qualifications: 4+ years HR experience, strong UK employment law knowledge, and coaching skills required.
The predicted salary is between 44796 - 54750 £ per year.
Thought Machine's mission is bold – to properly and permanently rid the world's banks of legacy technology. To achieve this, we have developed the foundations of modern banking through core and payments technology which run natively in the cloud. We have grown rapidly in the past few years – growing our team to more than 550 individuals across offices in London, New York, Singapore, Sydney and our newly established Engineering Hub in Lisbon. We have raised more than £500m in funding and our investors include Molten Ventures, Eurazeo, Intesa Sanpaolo, Temasek, Nyca Partners, JPMorgan Chase Strategic Investments, Standard Chartered Ventures, and more.
We have created a culture that enables our team to produce the best work in the industry while ensuring we have fun along the way. We're regularly cited as having a fantastic workplace culture and have been recognised by Sifted magazine as having one of the highest Glassdoor ratings for a UK fintech company and the industry's most generous employee share package. Named one of the world's most innovative fintechs by Global Finance Magazine, we were also recognised by the Financial Times as one of Europe's fastest-growing companies for two consecutive years—and a UK Best Employer for 2026.
We are seeking an experienced, commercial, and hands-on Senior HR Business Partner to step into a 12-month maternity cover jointly partnering our Engineering Division. Because of the nature of the division and current business priorities, this role demands deep expertise in UK employment law and complex ER case management, paired with a proven ability to coach managers, drive engagement, and support global mobility as we grow.
Key Responsibilities- Strategic Business Partnering & Engagement: Partner closely with assigned Engineering leadership teams and managers to understand, measure, and improve employee engagement, organisational structure, capability, and culture.
- Complex UK Employee Relations: Act as the subject matter expert on all UK ER matters. Autonomously manage complex absence cases, disciplinary processes, and grievances with a professional, solution-focused, and pragmatic approach.
- Manager Coaching & Guidance: Act as a proactive coach and guide for line managers across the team, supporting them through organisational change, difficult conversations, and leadership development.
- People Plan & CPO Projects: Own key elements of the People Plan and work closely with the wider HRBP team on strategic projects including talent & performance management, pay & benefits, L&D, career progression, and culture during periods of headcount growth.
- AI-Driven HR Innovation: Continuously review and modernise HR processes across the employee lifecycle—leveraging AI-powered HR tools, automation, and best practices to streamline workflows, enhance employee experience, and ensure practices remain agile, culture-aligned, and fit for business requirements.
- People Analytics & MI: Provide the Senior Management Team with insightful HR metrics (MI) to inform decisions and measure the impact of HR initiatives.
- Talent & High-Performance Culture: Drive end-to-end talent management and succession frameworks that cultivate and embed a high-performance culture. Partner with Engineering leaders to identify critical roles, map succession risk, and turn exit data into actionable talent retention strategies.
- Essential
- Strong UK ER Expertise: Exceptional, up-to-date knowledge of UK employment legislation with proven experience resolving complex ER cases.
- HR Business Partnering Experience: 4+ years of generalist HR experience at HRBP / Senior HRBP level, with strong stakeholder management, resilience, and business acumen.
- Engineering / Tech Sector Exposure: Proven track record of business partnering with technical or engineering divisions (understanding technical team dynamics and rhythms).
- Manager Coaching & Development: Experienced in developing and supporting line managers through change (a coaching qualification or willingness to undertake one is a plus).
- Communication & Discretion: Exceptional communication skills with the ability to build rapport quickly, exercise diplomacy, and handle confidential matters with complete discretion.
- CIPD Qualification: CIPD accredited (or equivalent demonstrable experience).
- Autonomy: Self-motivated, resourceful, and capable of working independently while maintaining close alignment with the CPO.
- Desired
- International HR experience in one or more of the below countries: APAC, Singapore, Australia, AMER, US, MEA, Portugal.
- HR Operations experience, designing and implementing standard operating procedures for the people team, focused on delivering excellent employee experience.
- Workday HRIS system experience.
- Highly competitive salary
- Pension plan (match up to 5%)
- Life insurance - three times annual salary
- Competitive maternity (six months fully paid) and paternity leave (four weeks fully paid)
- Shared parental leave (matched to our maternity leave for the same point in time)
- 25 days holiday and bank holidays
- Flexible working hours
- Cycle-to-work scheme
- Electric car scheme
- Season ticket loan
- Access to outstanding learning materials and courses
- Sports and hobby clubs, subsidised by Thought Machine
- All the latest tech you need
- Start the day properly with fresh fruit and cereals
- Huge range of healthy (and not-so-healthy) snacks, smoothies and drinks
- A talented and experienced team as your colleagues
- An environment where we encourage learning and progress
- Two charity days a year
- Weekly food pop-up
We actively hire candidates who demonstrate technical excellence in their field and welcome people of all ages and backgrounds, providing everyone with equal access to professional development. You are encouraged to apply even if your experience doesn't accurately match the job description. We also encourage applications from those with different abilities, including candidates with ADHD, autism, dyslexia or dyspraxia.
Senior HR Business Partner (MAT Cover) in London employer: Thought Machine
Thought Machine is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a focus on employee growth, the company provides ample opportunities for professional development while ensuring a healthy work-life balance through flexible working hours and comprehensive benefits. Located in the UK, Thought Machine stands out for its commitment to empowering engineers to work closely with clients, making a tangible impact in the cloud technology space.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior HR Business Partner (MAT Cover) in London
✨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 Thought Machine!
✨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 Thought Machine.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior HR Business Partner (MAT Cover) in London
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 Thought Machine. 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 Thought Machine 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 Thought Machine. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Thought Machine'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 Thought Machine
✨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 Thought Machine.
✨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 Thought Machine 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 Thought Machine and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
