Senior HR Business Partner / Employee Relations Specialist
12 Month Contract
Location: Hybrid (London HQ with travel across UK & Ireland)
Oliver James has partnered with a well-established organisation to support the appointment of a Senior HR Business Partner / ER Specialist on a 12-month contract.
This is a high-impact role focused on modernising and strengthening the organisation’s HR policy framework, ensuring full compliance with evolving employment legislation and supporting a broader HR transformation, including the transition to a SuccessFactors HRIS.
Overview
You will lead the review, consolidation, and enhancement of all HR policies across the organisation, ensuring they are clear, compliant, and aligned to both internal governance standards and external regulatory requirements (including updates linked to the Employment Rights Bill).
Acting as a specialist HR partner, you will provide expert employee relations guidance, work closely with legal advisors, and support the business in building a modern, consistent, and scalable people framework.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead a full review and modernisation of the organisation’s HR policy framework
- Ensure policies are compliant with current employment legislation and regulatory updates
- Establish and maintain robust document control and governance processes
- Partner with external legal advisors on employment contracts and policy updates
- Create and manage a centralised policy register with clear review cycles and version control
- Provide expert guidance on complex employee relations matters and policy interpretation
- Work with business units to align local policies with group-wide standards
- Develop clear policy documentation, manager guidance, and communication materials
- Support HR teams with consistent application of policies across the organisation
- Deliver structured progress reporting and dashboards to senior stakeholders
Essential Skills & Experience
- Strong experience as an HR Business Partner or ER Specialist within a complex organisation
- Proven track record in HR policy development, review, and implementation
- Strong knowledge of UK employment law and ability to interpret legislative changes
- Experience working in a unionised environment
- Hands-on experience with SuccessFactors HRIS
- Ability to translate business processes into clear, practical policies
- Strong stakeholder management skills, including working with senior leadership
- Experience identifying gaps, inconsistencies, and duplication within policy frameworks
- Ability to manage multiple workstreams and deliver to tight deadlines
Desirable Experience
- Experience managing trade union consultations
- Background within transport, logistics, or highly regulated industries
Additional Information
- Hybrid working model (minimum 3 days onsite)
- Travel required across the UK and Ireland
- 38 hours per week, Monday to Friday
