Head of People Business Partnering & Change in Abingdon
Head of People Business Partnering & Change

Head of People Business Partnering & Change in Abingdon

Abingdon Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to shape and deliver impactful people strategies.
  • Company: Join UKAEA, a mission-driven organisation focused on clean energy for all.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and flexible working options.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in organisational change and people development.
  • Qualifications: Degree and CIPD Level 7 required; extensive HR experience essential.
  • Other info: We value diversity and encourage applications from underrepresented groups.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

The Head of People Business Partnering & Change will develop and lead a high-performing team to deliver strategic, proactive people partnering across a complex, mission-driven organisation. Working closely with the Director of People & Culture and senior leaders, the role will shape and deliver the People Strategy, embed it across divisions and programmes, and lead the people aspects of major organisational change. The postholder will ensure Business Partners operate as trusted advisers within Senior Leadership Teams, anticipating people risks and opportunities and delivering joined-up solutions in partnership with specialist People & Culture functions.

The role also leads the people governance and analytics capability, providing senior leaders with high-quality insight to drive evidence-based decisions and proactive interventions. Operating in a unionised environment with highly skilled scientific and technical communities, the Head of People Business Partnering & Change will bring strong judgement, credibility and clarity of communication to influence a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

Core responsibilities include:

  • Lead, coach and develop a high-performing team of business partners and change specialists, ensuring proactive, consistent and consultative people support.
  • Lead the governance and data team to ensure robust management information is collected and reported on to senior leadership teams to enable well-evidenced, data-driven decision-making on people matters.
  • Co-ordinate the development and delivery of the People Strategy and associated Delivery Plan on behalf of Senior People & Culture Leadership Team.
  • Ensure Divisional and programme-level people plans are developed to a high standard.
  • Inform and influence the design of UKAEA-wide organisational initiatives, leading on the people workstreams of organisational change, such as restructures, mergers, spin-outs, or cultural transformations.
  • Act as a senior leader within the People & Culture SLT, deputising for senior colleagues and collaborating closely with Centres of Expertise and Shared Services.
  • Ensure the BP team partner closely with ER colleagues to support cases, identify trends and implement preventative interventions; and with Resourcing colleagues to implement and maintain good workforce planning practices across the organisation.

Qualifications

  • Educated to degree level with CIPD Level 7 qualification.
  • Extensive experience delivering strategic HR business partnering within complex organisational environments.
  • Proven expertise advising across EDI, Pay and Reward, Organisational Development & Design, Employee Relations, and Learning & Development.
  • Strong people leadership capability, with a demonstrable track record of coaching, developing and leading high-performing teams.
  • Experience in setting strategic priorities and translating them into measurable culture and organisational change outcomes.
  • Demonstrable experience operating effectively in a unionised environment, engaging with recognised trade unions and managing stakeholder relationships constructively.

Additional Information

A full list of our benefits can be found here but highlights include:

  • £69,592 base salary*
  • Final salary defined benefit scheme with an equivalent of 21.5% employer pension contribution
  • 25 days annual leave, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays
  • Flexible and hybrid working options

* Please note that following the conclusion of trade union negotiations, a new pay framework will be implemented from 1 March. While details have not yet been shared with existing staff, the starting salary for this role will be higher than listed above.

UKAEA’s mission is clean energy for all, and we welcome talented people from all backgrounds to help us achieve this goal. We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and strive to ensure fair representation across our workforce. We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in STEM, including women and individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, while ensuring all appointments are made on merit.

Further information can be found here. UKAEA is committed to being accessible. Please email if you require help or adjustments to compete on a fair basis.

Head of People Business Partnering & Change in Abingdon employer: UK Atomic Energy Authority

UKAEA is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets purpose in the pursuit of clean energy for all. With a strong commitment to employee development, flexible working options, and a robust benefits package, including a generous pension scheme and extensive leave, we foster a culture of inclusivity and collaboration. Join us to be part of a mission-driven organisation that values diverse perspectives and empowers its people to thrive in their careers.
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Contact Detail:

UK Atomic Energy Authority Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of People Business Partnering & Change in Abingdon

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream job.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their mission and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets them.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Get comfortable answering common questions and discussing your achievements. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our mission.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of People Business Partnering & Change in Abingdon

Strategic HR Business Partnering
People Leadership
Coaching and Development
Organisational Change Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Data-Driven Decision Making
Employee Relations
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
Pay and Reward Strategy
Organisational Development and Design
Learning and Development
Unionised Environment Experience
Communication Skills
Analytical Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission-driven organisation and the role of Head of People Business Partnering & Change.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Highlight your experience in leading high-performing teams and your ability to coach and develop others. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and guide a team, so share examples that demonstrate your leadership style and successes.

Be Data-Driven: Since the role involves governance and analytics, it’s crucial to showcase your experience with data-driven decision-making. Include any relevant metrics or outcomes from your previous roles that illustrate your ability to use data effectively.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates regarding your application status.

How to prepare for a job interview at UK Atomic Energy Authority

✨Know Your People Strategy

Before the interview, dive deep into the company's People Strategy. Understand how it aligns with their mission and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to its development and delivery. This shows that you're not just interested in the role but also in the organisation's goals.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Style

Prepare examples of how you've successfully led and developed high-performing teams in the past. Be specific about your coaching methods and how you've fostered a culture of collaboration and trust. This will demonstrate your capability to lead the team effectively.

✨Understand the Unionised Environment

Familiarise yourself with the dynamics of working in a unionised environment. Be prepared to discuss your experience engaging with trade unions and how you've managed stakeholder relationships. This will highlight your ability to navigate complex organisational structures.

✨Data-Driven Decision Making

Brush up on your knowledge of people analytics and governance. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to inform decisions and drive change in previous roles. This will show that you can provide the high-quality insights needed for evidence-based decision-making.

Head of People Business Partnering & Change in Abingdon
UK Atomic Energy Authority
Location: Abingdon
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