Public Sector Resourcing
HR Business Partner

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DESCRIPTION & REQUIREMENTS
On behalf of UKRI, we are looking for a HR Business Partner (InsideIR35) for an initial 12 month contract based hybrid in either Swindon or Oxford. Office attendance is 2 days a week.
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is the national funding agency investing in science and research in the UK.
UKRI invests £8 billion of taxpayers’ money each year into research and innovation and the people who make it happen. They work across a huge range of fields – from biodiversity conservation to quantum computing, and from space telescopes to innovative health care. They give everyone the opportunity to contribute and to benefit, bringing together people and organisations nationally and globally to create, develop and deploy new ideas and technologies.
Role Profile
To support senior leaders across its research councils, with a particular focus on the Medical and Natural Environment sectors. This is a strategic HRBP role supporting a major organisational transformation programme, Shaping Our Future, while ensuring delivery of core HR business partnering activities.
The successful candidate will work closely with senior stakeholders to drive people strategy, workforce planning, organisational change, talent initiatives, and cultural transformation. This role requires a credible and influential HR professional capable of operating at a strategic level while remaining hands-on in supporting business leaders through complex change.
Main Responsibilities
- Partner with senior leaders to develop and deliver people strategies aligned with organisational objectives.
- Provide strategic HR advice and challenge to senior stakeholders during organisational transformation and change initiatives.
- Support the delivery of the UKRI Shaping Our Future programme and other HR projects.
- Lead workforce planning activities, ensuring current and future capability requirements are identified and addressed.
- Support organisational restructuring, team effectiveness, cultural change, and new ways of working.
- Build trusted relationships with business leaders, acting as a coach, adviser and critical friend.
- Deliver people-related initiatives including talent management, succession planning, performance management and employee engagement.
- Analyse HR data, KPIs and workforce trends to identify risks and recommend appropriate interventions.
- Support managers with employee relations matters and ensure consistent application of HR policies and processes.
- Collaborate with HR Operations, Centres of Excellence and wider HR teams to drive a "One HR" approach.
- Oversee implementation of workforce and budget planning activities, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities.
- Provide support and guidance to junior HR team members where required.
- Contribute to the successful delivery of transformation programmes, ensuring stakeholder buy-in and sustainable outcomes.
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Essential
- Significant experience operating as a Strategic HR Business Partner within a complex organisation.
- Proven experience supporting organisational transformation and change programmes.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence, advise and challenge senior leaders.
- Demonstrable experience in workforce planning, talent management and organisational development.
- Experience building trusted partnerships across multiple business functions.
- Strong communication and coaching skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.
Desirable
- Experience working within the UK Public Sector or wider government environment.
- Experience supporting large-scale organisational change or transformation programmes.
- Knowledge of Oracle Fusion HR systems.
- CIPD qualification or equivalent HR professional accreditation.


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Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.
Disability Confident
As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, UKRI guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.
Armed Forces Covenant
UKRI guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.
In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".
GENERAL INFORMATION
Posting ID
PIP11215
Type of employment
Contract
Organisation
UK Research & Innovation
Contract duration
12 months
Location
Swindon
Workplace Type
Hybrid
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