Junior HR Business Partner

Overview

Expleo is seeking a strong HR generalist/ business partner to support our UK Technology and Engineering business units. The role can be based from our Preston, Bristol or London offices, with hybrid working and occasional travel to Expleo sites as required. Reporting to the HR Practice Managers, with a close working relationship with the UK HR Director, this role offers an excellent opportunity for an experienced HR professional to broaden their exposure to business partnering activities while maintaining a strong operational HR focus.

We are looking for a well-rounded HR generalist who will support the delivery of talent management, employee relations, career management and employee engagement initiatives across the business, while also contributing to HR transformation activities and the implementation of Expleo's UK HR roadmap. Working within the strategic direction set by the HR Practice Lead, you will partner with managers to address people challenges, build management capability and enhance the employee experience.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted HR partner to managers and employees providing people advice and support on across the entire employee lifecycle.
• Coach and support managers on a broad range of employee relations matters, including performance management, probation, attendance, conduct, grievance, flexible working and organisational change.
• Manage complex and sensitive employee relations cases fairly, consistently and in line with UK employment legislation, company policy and best practice.
• Lead and support redundancy consultations, organisational restructuring activities and settlement agreement processes, ensuring legal compliance, effective risk management and a positive employee experience wherever possible.
• Support talent management activities, including succession planning, talent reviews, career development discussions and initiatives that strengthen organisational capability.
• Partner with managers to enhance leadership effectiveness and management capability through coaching, guidance and targeted development interventions.
• Support the delivery and continuous improvement of employee engagement initiatives, helping to create a positive and inclusive employee experience across the business.
• Work closely with the HR Transformation Office to support the implementation and rollout of the UK HR roadmap, embedding new people processes, policies, systems and change initiatives.
• Partner with HR Operations, Talent Acquisition, Payroll and Learning & Development teams to ensure a seamless employee lifecycle experience, from onboarding through to career development.
• Analyse people data, trends and metrics to identify opportunities, mitigate risks and make evidence-based recommendations to business leaders.
• Support the delivery of UK and global HR initiatives, ensuring they are effectively implemented and aligned to local business requirements.
• Promote Expleo's values and inclusive ways of working, helping to foster a high-performance culture where employees can grow and succeed.
• Maintain effective communication with HR colleagues, business leaders and key stakeholders, escalating risks, issues and opportunities as appropriate.

Qualifications

• CIPD Level 7 qualification, Chartered Member of the CIPD status, or equivalent professional experience is preferred
• Candidates with CIPD Level 5 who are actively progressing towards Level 7 are also encouraged to apply
• Evidence of continued professional development and up-to-date knowledge of UK employment law and HR practice

Essential skills

• Current, practical knowledge of UK employment law and HR good practice.
• The ability to balance employee, commercial, organisational and legal considerations when providing advice.
• A flexible mindset, with the ability to embrace change and respond positively to evolving business needs.
• Strong coaching, influencing and stakeholder-management skills, including the confidence to offer constructive challenge.
• Sound professional judgement, integrity, discretion and the ability to handle sensitive information appropriately.
• A collaborative and inclusive approach, with the ability to work effectively across teams, functions and levels of seniority.
• Confidence using people data to identify trends, evaluate options and support robust decisions.
• Strong organisation and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage operational cases and longer-term projects simultaneously.
• A proactive mindset and a clear focus on how HR can add measurable value to the organisation.
• Regular travel to Expleo offices across the UK may be required to collaborate with HR colleagues, engage with stakeholders and support key people initiatives.

Experience

• Experience supporting managers in a busy and fast-paced organisation
• Experience in engineering, technology, consulting, professional services or another project-led environment
• Experience supporting organisational change, restructuring, consultation or integration activity
• Exposure to workforce planning, talent reviews or succession planning
• Familiarity with HR information system Oracle
• Experience designing or delivering manager training and capability-building sessions
• We know strong candidates do not always meet every requirement. If your experience is closely aligned and you believe you can make an impact, we would still like to hear from you.
• Strong generalist HR experience in an advisory or business partnering role
• Demonstrable experience of managing complex employee relations matters from initial assessment through to resolution

What do I need before I apply

• Hybrid, with travel to Expleo sites occasionally as required

Benefits

• Collaborative working environment – we stand shoulder to shoulder with our clients and our peers through good times and challenges  
• We empower all passionate technology loving professionals by allowing them to expand their skills and take part in inspiring projects   
• Always working as one team, our people are not afraid to think big and challenge the status quo 

• As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we have committed to:
  • Ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible
  • Communicating and promoting vacancies
  • Offering an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job
  • Anticipating and providing reasonable adjustments as required
  • Supporting any existing employee who acquires a disability or long term health condition, enabling them to stay in work at least one activity that will make a difference for disabled people

“We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age”. 

We treat everyone fairly and equitably across the organisation, including providing any additional support and adjustments needed for everyone to thrive