Senior HR Business Partner

Senior HR Business Partner | 12 Month Contract

About the role

Sanderson is working closely with its international client to appoint a Senior HR Business Partner on a maternity cover basis (minimum 12 months). Candidates must be available to commit to the full contract duration.

This is a senior, strategic HR role supporting business leaders across a complex, multi-site organisation. Reporting to the Head of HR, you will partner closely with senior management to align workforce strategy with business objectives, support organisational change, and deliver initiatives that enhance engagement, performance, and overall effectiveness. You will have 2 direct reports.

Responsibilities

Strategic HR Partnership

• Partner with business leaders to develop and implement HR strategies aligned to organisational goals
• Provide expert advice on workforce planning, succession planning, and organisational development
• Support leaders through change initiatives in a structured and pragmatic way
• Act as a trusted advisor on complex employee relations, performance, and engagement matters
• Identify opportunities to improve business performance through people strategy

Employee Relations and Performance Management

• Lead complex employee relations cases, investigations and disciplinary matters
• Coach and support managers on performance management and development planning
• Ensure compliance with employment legislation and internal policies
• Promote a culture of accountability, fairness and continuous improvement

Talent Development and Engagement

• Partner with Learning and Development to address capability gaps
• Lead engagement initiatives that support retention and inclusion
• Support leadership development and succession planning
• Facilitate talent review and workforce planning processes

HR Data, Reporting and Continuous Improvement

• Provide workforce insights and HR analytics to support business decision-making
• Monitor key HR metrics including turnover, engagement and performance trends
• Support the development and optimisation of HR policies, processes and systems
• Keep up to date with market trends and best practice

Collaboration and Stakeholder Management

• Build strong relationships across senior leadership, HR and the wider business
• Work collaboratively with Talent Acquisition, HR Operations and Reward teams
• Contribute to HR projects and wider organisational initiatives

Experience

• Significant experience in a senior HR Business Partner or advisory role within a large, multi-site or complex organisation
• Strong track record of influencing senior stakeholders
• Deep understanding of employment law, employee relations and HR best practice
• Experience of organisational development, change management and talent initiatives
• Strong analytical capability with experience using HR data to drive decisions
• Experience within construction, engineering or project-based environments is advantageous

Qualifications

• Degree in Human Resources, Business or related discipline
• CIPD qualification or equivalent (desirable)
• Evidence of continued professional development