Assistant HR Business Partner

SF Recruitment is delighted to be partnering with a complex organisation to recruit an Assistant HR Business Partner to join a forward-thinking People function. The role is a fixed term contract for 6 months. This is an excellent opportunity to operate at a strategic level, working closely with senior leaders and playing an active role in shaping and delivering people initiatives aligned to organisational strategy.

This role sits within a Business Partnering team and offers significant autonomy, exposure to senior stakeholders, and the chance to influence people outcomes in a fast-paced, values-driven environment.

Salary: £41064 - £47389
Hours: 37 per week (hybrid working available)

The Role
Reporting into a Senior HR Business Partner, you will act as a trusted advisor to people managers, providing expert guidance across the full employee lifecycle. You will coach and enable leaders to manage their teams effectively, ensuring compliance with employment legislation while driving engagement, performance, and cultural development.
You will analyse people data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities, contributing to the design and delivery of targeted interventions. Working collaboratively with specialist teams (including employee relations, reward, learning & development, EDI, and wellbeing), you will help embed change programmes and continuously enhance the people offer.
As part of the wider People SLT community, you will also deputise for the HR Business Partner when required and act as an ambassador for progressive people practices.

Key Responsibilities
- Provide high-quality HR advice and coaching to people managers, building capability and confidence
- Support strategic workforce planning, change initiatives, wellbeing, and organisational development activity
- Analyse people data and insights to inform decision-making and drive performance improvements
- Manage and support complex employee relations casework in partnership with specialist teams
- Identify and escalate people-related risks and opportunities, proposing practical solutions
- Build strong, trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and internal partners
- Champion continuous improvement and best practice across people management and policy
- Ensure legal, regulatory, and policy compliance at all times

About You
You will be an experienced HR professional who thrives in a complex environment and enjoys balancing strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.
You will bring:
- Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to challenge constructively
- Proven experience advising and supporting managers within a large, complex organisation
- Confidence in analysing data to identify trends and recommend solutions
- Experience of managing complex casework and supporting change programmes
- Up-to-date knowledge of employment law, HR policy, and UK employee relations
- A degree (or equivalent) in HR or a related discipline
- Associate membership of CIPD and a commitment to ongoing professional development

Experience within the higher education or public sector environment is advantageous but not essential.

Why Apply?
- Opportunity to operate at a strategic level within a respected organisation
- High degree of autonomy and exposure to senior leadership
- Collaborative, solutions-focused culture
- Meaningful work supporting organisational transformation and people development

If you are a proactive, commercially minded HR professional looking for your next interim challenge, we would love to hear from you.