People & Development Business Partner

We have an opportunity for an experienced People & Development Business Partner (HR Business Partner) to join our clients People & Development team on an initial 12-month fixed-term contract.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced HR professional with a strong generalist background, particularly within employee relations, organisational change and strategic HR support.

Travel Requirements - Approximately 2–3 days per month to Lancashire.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing a varied and complex employee relations caseload, including disciplinary, grievance, absence, performance management and capability matters.

• Advising and supporting managers on employment legislation, HR policies and best practice.

• Supporting organisational change, restructures, TUPE transfers and workforce planning.

• Providing guidance and support during formal employee relations meetings, including preparing documentation and outcome letters.

• Developing strong working relationships with senior leaders, managers and trade union representatives.

• Supporting recruitment, retention and wider workforce planning initiatives.

• Contributing to the implementation of HR policies, procedures and organisational development projects.

• Using HR data, reports and workforce metrics to identify trends and support decision-making.

• Supporting management development and delivering guidance or training on people management matters.

Requirements

• CIPD Level 7 qualification or equivalent relevant experience.

• Substantial experience within a generalist HR role, ideally operating at HR Business Partner or senior HR advisory level.

• Strong employee relations experience, including managing complex disciplinary, grievance and performance management cases.

• Experience supporting organisational change, including restructures, TUPE or similar projects.

• Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.

• Experience developing, implementing and interpreting HR policies and procedures.

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and provide commercially focused HR advice.

• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret HR data and management information.

• GCSE English and Maths at Grade C/4 or equivalent.

Desirable Experience:

• Previous experience within Further Education, education or a similarly complex organisation.

• Experience working within a unionised environment.

• Previous line management experience, including supervising HR Advisors or Assistants.

• Experience supporting senior leadership teams through organisational change