Senior HR People and Development Adviser in Solihull

This is a 612 month fixed-term contract with the possibility of extension. The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is seeking a skilled and commercially-minded Senior HR, People and Development Adviser to join its People Team, supporting the UK Telecoms Lab (UKTL) programme. This is a high-impact role for an experienced HR professional who thrives in a fast-moving, technically complex environment and enjoys working closely with leaders to embed change, improve capability and build high-performing teams.

As a trusted partner to the business, you will play a key role in delivering people initiatives that attract, reward, retain, develop and engage our people, ensuring NPL/UKTL delivers against its mission, vision and values. Working as part of the wider People Team, but operating with a high degree of autonomy, this role would particularly suit someone who has worked in a sole HR role and within a technology-led organisation, and who is comfortable supporting a wide range of technical and professional stakeholders. You will be the on-site specialist, working independently day to day while being fully supported by our wider Head Office teams, and will report into the NPL team based in Teddington.

Key responsibilities

• Provide expert advice and guidance on complex policy development, organisational change, performance management and employee relations, supporting sustainable business capability.
• Act as the subject matter expert for complex ER and/or policy matters, advising managers and leaders and mentoring HR colleagues when required.
• Support delivery of the People Strategy, taking ownership of specific HR projects and annual cycle programmes, ensuring effective implementation.
• Work in partnership with specialist People Team functions to support engagement and wellbeing, workforce planning and resourcing, talent management and succession, learning & development initiatives, diversity & inclusion, and the creation of a high-performance culture.
• Help embed recent organisational changes, including post-restructure activity, ensuring ways of working, roles and behaviours are clearly adopted.
• Drive continuous improvement, responding to evolving business needs and statutory requirements.
• Use management information and people analytics to provide insight-led advice and recommendations.
• Ensure all employee interactions are fair, consistent, legally compliant and aligned with NPL policies, mitigating organisational risk.

Successful applicants must be able to commute to the UKTL offices in Solihull, Birmingham at least twice a week. We strive to offer a great work-life balance - if you are looking for full time, part time or flexible options, we will try to make this work where possible. This will be dependent on the kind of role you do and part of the business you work in.

About you

• Significant experience in a generalist HR or Senior HR Advisor role, ideally within a technical, scientific or technology-driven environment.
• Strong employee relations experience, confident handling complex and sensitive matters.
• Experience supporting organisational change, restructures or transformation programmes.
• Credibility and confidence to challenge and influence senior stakeholders.
• The ability to work autonomously while contributing effectively to a collaborative People Team.
• A practical, solution-focused approach with strong judgement and attention to detail.
• Experience using HR data and metrics to inform decision-making.
• Experience working in a sole HR role or in smaller, fast-growing organisations will be particularly valuable, as will familiarity with supporting teams made up of highly technical specialists.

Why join NPL?

At NPL, you'll be part of an organisation with a unique national mission, supporting cutting-edge science and technology that makes a real-world impact. You'll have the opportunity to shape people outcomes within the UKTL programme at a formative stage, working with passionate experts in their field and contributing to long-term organisational success.

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in this specific area means that nationality, residency and security requirements are more tightly defined than others. To work in this role, you will need to hold an SC clearance with no restrictions. You are welcome to apply without already holding SC clearance; however, you will not be able to start in post until the clearance has been successfully granted.

About Us

UKTL is building leading edge Telecoms testing facilities to keep our telecommunications networks safe, accelerate the roll-out of new technologies, and grow our world leading telecoms sector to maintain resiliency and security. Successful candidates will join a state-of-the-art facility and be supporting the team conducting testing and research on the latest technologies and innovations in the industry. You will work alongside our infrastructure and Cybersecurity professionals to ensure that the UK's world class Telecoms infrastructure grows in a resilient and secure manner underpinning growth in other industry sectors.

As a trusted and independent national capability, UKTL interacts with standards bodies, Academia, and Government Departments as well as Communications Service Providers and equipment vendors. The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK.

NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity. As part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we ensure we're creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome.

We offer a wealth of above industry standard benefits, such as enhanced pension scheme, flexible working, and more that can be found here rewards, benefits and recognition. Our values are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success. To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we're always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process.