HR Business Partner

We are seeking an experienced People Business Partner to provide short-term cover (approx. 3 months) within a small, high-pressure HR/People & Culture team. This role requires someone who can immediately step in, manage a demanding employee relations caseload, and support senior stakeholders across operational and enabling functions.

This is a senior generalist HRBP role with a high volume of complex, hands-on employee relations work. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in environments where stakeholder challenge and legal risk awareness are common.

Key Responsibilities

Employee Relations (Core Focus)

• Manage a heavy ER caseload (approx. 25 concurrent cases).
• Handle misconduct, grievances, harassment, attendance, and other sensitive issues.
• Support and coach managers through formal processes; draft correspondence and scripts.
• Contribute to ongoing Employment Tribunal processes as required.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the key HR contact for a defined group of senior stakeholders.
• Provide ongoing updates, guidance, and support to managers and senior leaders.
• Ensure issues are managed efficiently and do not fall through the gaps.

People & Culture Delivery

• Maintain continuity of HR support while permanent staff are absent.
• Support organisational culture initiatives and HR transformation efforts.
• Lead monthly stakeholder HR meetings focusing on data, insight, and case discussions.
• Collaborate with internal HR specialists; no external ER provider is used.

Environment & Expectations

• Fast-paced, reactive, and demanding environment.
• Requires resilience, confidence, and strong relationship-building skills.
• Operates within a hierarchical, high-scrutiny organisational culture.

Essential Criteria

• Strong HR Business Partnering experience.
• Extensive hands-on ER casework experience.
• Ability to navigate complex, sensitive, or contentious HR matters.
• Experience supporting Employment Tribunal processes.
• CIPD Level 7 (or working towards) with Chartered/Fellow membership, or equivalent experience.

Desirable Experience

• Experience in legal, law enforcement, or regulatory-style organisations.
• Experience in smaller organisations (approx. <500 employees).
• Familiarity with Oracle HR systems or similar HR platforms.