HR Business Partner (HRBP) in Leeds

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

A Little More About Your Role… The HR Business Partner (HRBP) plays a pivotal role in enabling business performance by aligning people strategy to organisational priorities. Acting as a trusted adviser to senior leaders, the HRBP translates strategic objectives into workforce plans, organisational design, talent strategies and cultural interventions that drive sustainable results. The role focuses on value creation, leadership effectiveness, change delivery, and capability building, rather than day‑to‑day transactional HR activity.

Partnering with one or two Business Unit Managing Directors and their leadership teams, you will:

• Provide courageous, evidence‑based counsel on organisational effectiveness, leadership capability, workforce risks and opportunities.
• Engage with stakeholders to develop a talent pipeline that satisfies short‑term demand and long‑term strategic needs.
• Collaborate with the Recruitment & Mobility team to facilitate internal mobility effectively and efficiently.
• Coach leaders to provide feedback, coaching and development opportunities to optimise employee performance and growth.
• Ensure performance is being robustly managed and performance management systems and processes are being properly utilised.
• Utilise WSP Listens to drive an active listening culture where colleagues are motivated, engaged and aligned to WSP’s purpose and guiding principles.
• Support leaders to communicate effectively and maintain engagement and trust, particularly during periods of change.
• Influence decision‑making at senior level using insights derived from people analytics, engagement data and external benchmarks.
• Maintain a continuous improvement mindset; keep abreast of external best practice.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the wider HR function globally.
• Embed inclusive leadership practices and support diversity, equity and inclusion objectives.
• Steer complex employee relations, organisational change and restructuring activity – oversee the team involved with the ability to lead where necessary (where team capacity or complexity requires it).

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate…

• Proven experience in an HR Business Partnering role gained within a matrix model.
• Demonstrated track record of delivering HR support both operationally and strategically, utilising the support of HR shared service teams and centres of expertise to fulfil business needs.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and operate with credibility at leadership level.
• Strong commercial acumen, interested and experienced in business, commercial and operational issues, their interdependencies and the impact of these on the people agenda.
• Experience in supporting change programmes including embedding a change in culture, emphasis and behaviour.
• Highly analytical, able to analyse, interpret and communicate business, financial and HR data to inform discussions and operational plans.
• Chartered MCIPD or equivalent professional qualification desirable.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity within complex environments and at pace.

What’s In It For You?

• Work‑life balance: At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community. Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.
• Inclusivity & Belonging: We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP.
• Health & Wellbeing: We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme. Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most.
• Flex your time: To enhance work‑life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day.
• Your development: We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.