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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support HR initiatives and build relationships with teams across the UK and Ireland.
- Company: Avantor, a global leader in life sciences, dedicated to scientific success.
- Benefits: Fully remote role with flexible hours, competitive salary, and career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a purpose-driven team making a real impact in the life sciences sector.
- Qualifications: 5+ years of HR experience, strong ER skills, and knowledge of UK employment law.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for strategic development and travel.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
HR Business Partner UK & Ireland — Avantor Powering the Future of Life Sciences. Avantor’s Lab and Production Services (LPS) team is the engine behind our customers' scientific and manufacturing success. LPS delivers on-site laboratory, production, and operational support across world-leading research, biopharma, and advanced technology environments. As our HR Business Partner for UK & Ireland, you will support the people who keep these critical scientific operations running. This is a fully remote role, ideally based near Cambridge or Stevenage, with regular UK travel and ad-hoc travel to Ireland, so full flexibility is essential. You will report directly to the HR Manager UK & Ireland.
The Opportunity
You will partner with the UK HRSP and HRBP LPS Europe to deliver HR support across a population of 350 colleagues in the UK and 50 in Ireland. You will be the key HR contact for LPS teams, engineers, and Managers in both the UK and Ireland, supporting them with day-to-day HR needs and BAU activity. This role blends hands-on operational HR with the opportunity to grow your strategic capability in a global life sciences organisation.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Strategic HR Support
- Deliver HR initiatives aligned with business needs across UK & Ireland.
- Partner with global HRBPs and Centres of Excellence to support regional goals.
- Provide guidance on HR processes, policies, and best practices.
- Support engagement, communication, and change initiatives across multiple sites.
- Build strong relationships with Managers in both countries.
- Employee Relations & Compliance
- Act as the primary contact for escalated ER matters across UK & Ireland LPS sites.
- Lead consistent ER processes, investigations, and case management.
- Support conflict resolution, grievances, and disciplinary actions.
- Ensure compliance with UK and Irish employment legislation.
- Rework and align Irish policies using appropriate legal resources.
- Absence, Wellbeing & Occupational Health
- Own absence management across LPS, including long-term sickness support.
- Partner with Occupational Health and H&S to support wellbeing.
- Implement reasonable adjustments, including mental health and chronic conditions.
- Align Irish absence processes with UK frameworks.
- Onboarding & Compliance
- Conduct Horus screening, RTW checks (via third-party portal), and OH screening.
- Ensure accurate new starter documentation and requisition management.
- Support compliance processes, including those handled by HRSSC.
- Projects & Operational Excellence
- Support HR due diligence for M&A activity.
- Contribute to enterprise-wide HR initiatives and process improvements.
- Help track HR metrics and support data reporting.
- Assist with transitioning work to HRSSC or overseas teams.
What You Bring
- 5+ years of HR experience, ideally in a generalist or multi-site role.
- Strong ER capability and confidence handling complex cases.
- Knowledge of UK employment law; Irish employment law highly desirable.
- Strong data and HR systems skills.
- Ability to balance hands-on admin with strategic support.
- A full driving licence and flexibility to travel weekly in the UK and ad-hoc to Ireland.
- A proactive, detail-focused approach and a desire to grow as an HRBP.
Who you are
You are organised, people-focused, and comfortable working independently in a fully remote role. You enjoy variety, build trust quickly, and thrive in environments where science, operations, and service delivery come together. You are motivated by supporting teams who contribute to meaningful scientific and operational outcomes.
Your First 36 Months
- Take ownership of absence management across LPS.
- Build strong relationships with Managers across the UK and Ireland.
- Integrate H&S into HR processes.
- Streamline OH and absence processes across both countries.
- Establish credibility within the LPS Ireland environment.
Ready to Join Avantor?
If you want to support teams shaping the future of science and grow your HR career in a global, purpose-driven organisation we would love to hear from you. Apply today and help us advance science for a better world.
HR Business Partner in Cambridge employer: Yorktown Education
Contact Detail:
Yorktown Education Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land HR Business Partner in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Avantor on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Research Avantor’s recent projects and values. This shows you’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their mission in life sciences.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common HR scenarios. Think about how you’d handle employee relations or absence management. Being able to articulate your approach will impress the interviewers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Avantor team.
We think you need these skills to ace HR Business Partner in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the HR Business Partner role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially in employee relations and compliance, as well as any strategic HR initiatives you've been involved in. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you a great fit. Don't forget to mention your flexibility and willingness to travel, as that's key for us.
Showcase Your People Skills: As an HR Business Partner, building relationships is crucial. In your application, share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with teams or resolved conflicts. We love seeing candidates who can connect with others and foster a positive work environment!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us that you're proactive and keen to join our team at Avantor!
How to prepare for a job interview at Yorktown Education
✨Know Your HR Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK and Irish employment law. Be ready to discuss how you've handled complex employee relations cases in the past, as this role will require a strong understanding of these areas.
✨Show Your Strategic Side
Prepare examples of how you've aligned HR initiatives with business needs. Think about times when you've partnered with management to drive engagement or change initiatives, as this will be key in your new role.
✨Build Relationships
Since this role involves working closely with managers across the UK and Ireland, be prepared to talk about how you build trust and rapport with colleagues. Share specific instances where your relationship-building skills made a difference.
✨Flexibility is Key
As this is a remote role with travel involved, highlight your flexibility and adaptability. Discuss any previous experiences where you've successfully managed remote work while maintaining strong communication and support for your teams.
