Breen & Associates - Results Through People
HR People Partner
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HR People Partner
Breen & Associates – Results Through People
This isn't another HR job.
It's an opportunity to become one of the trusted advisers business owners call when the stakes are high.
When they're growing.
When they're restructuring.
When they need to navigate a difficult employee issue.
When they simply need someone they trust to help them make the right decision.
If you're an experienced HR professional who combines commercial thinking with genuine empathy, thrives on building relationships, and wants to play a meaningful role in the growth of an ambitious consultancy, we'd love to hear from you.
Who We Are
Breen & Associates is an award-winning HR and People Development consultancy supporting ambitious SMEs across the UK.
We don't believe HR should hide behind policies or jargon.
We believe it should help businesses grow.
Over the last few years we've built a reputation for delivering commercially focused HR advice that is practical, straightforward and genuinely valued by our clients.
Our clients stay because they trust us.
We're now looking for our third employee to help shape the next chapter of our journey.
If you want to join a business where your ideas matter, your work makes a genuine difference and you'll help build something special, this could be the opportunity you've been waiting for.
The Opportunity
This role is ideally suited to someone whose experience has primarily been gained within the UK private sector.
Our clients are ambitious SMEs, owner-managed businesses and growing organisations. They need commercially focused advice that balances legal compliance with business reality.
You'll quickly become the trusted HR partner for a portfolio of clients.
One day you might be advising on a complex employee relations issue.
The next you could be supporting a TUPE transfer, facilitating a management workshop, helping implement BreatheHR, drafting contracts, developing a people strategy or meeting with a prospective client.
No two days are ever the same.
That's exactly how we like it.
We're Looking For Someone Who...
- Loves building trusted relationships.
- Thinks commercially as well as compassionately.
- Can confidently advise business owners and senior leaders.
- Enjoys solving problems rather than simply quoting legislation.
- Is naturally organised and takes ownership.
- Communicates with warmth, confidence and credibility.
- Is excited by innovation, AI and emerging technology.
- Wants to grow alongside an ambitious consultancy rather than simply do a job.
Technology doesn't replace great HR.
It enhances it.
We're looking for someone who shares that mindset.
What You'll Be Doing
Partnering with Clients
- Become the trusted HR adviser for a portfolio of SME clients.
- Build long-term relationships with business owners and leadership teams.
- Provide commercially focused employment law and HR advice.
- Support disciplinaries, grievances, performance management, absence, restructures and organisational change.
- Draft contracts, policies, letters and HR documentation.
- Support clients using BreatheHR and other HR technology.
- Deliver practical, people-first HR solutions that genuinely improve businesses.
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Projects & Consultancy
You'll play a key role across a wide variety of consultancy projects including:
- TUPE transfers
- Organisational restructures
- Redundancy programmes
- HR audits
- HRIS implementation
- Leadership development
- Succession planning
- People strategy
- Employment law compliance
Training & Business Growth
You'll also help us grow.
That means delivering engaging training sessions, supporting networking events, speaking with prospective clients and helping more businesses discover the value of working with Breen & Associates.
We're not looking for a salesperson.
We're looking for someone who enjoys building relationships and takes pride in delivering exceptional client experiences.
What You'll Need
Essential
- Chartered MCIPD or FCIPD (or working towards Chartered status where appropriate).
- CIPD Level 7 (or equivalent).
- Significant HR experience gained primarily within the UK private sector.
- Strong employment law knowledge.
- Experience supporting SMEs or owner-managed businesses.
- Excellent employee relations experience.
- Commercial awareness.
- Outstanding communication skills.
- Experience delivering workshops or management training.
- Confidence using HR systems such as BreatheHR or similar.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple clients simultaneously.
- A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to client sites when required.
You'll Really Stand Out If You...
- Love learning.
- Embrace AI and new technology.
- Enjoy improving processes.
- Think strategically.
- Stay calm under pressure.
- Make complicated HR simple.
- Take genuine pride in helping people succeed.
Working Pattern
- Full-time – 37 hours per week
- Monday to Friday
- Hybrid working – 3 days at our Stansted Courtyard office and 2 days from home
- Travel to client sites as required
What You'll Get
This is far more than another HR role.
You'll join an ambitious consultancy at an exciting stage of growth, working directly alongside experienced HR and People Development professionals who genuinely care about helping businesses succeed.
You'll have autonomy, variety and the opportunity to make a real impact every single day.
We trust our people, encourage fresh thinking and believe the best ideas can come from anyone. Your voice will matter here.
Benefits
- Competitive salary dependent on experience
- Company pension
- 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays
- Christmas shutdown
- Hybrid working
- Free on-site parking
- Ongoing professional development
- Continuous CIPD support
- Mentoring from two highly experienced HR and People Development professionals
- Beautiful countryside office at Stansted Courtyard
- Endless tea, coffee and cake
- Barney, our Chief Happiness Officer (and very friendly Labrador)
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Why Join Breen & Associates?
Because we're building something different.
We're creating a consultancy where clients don't buy HR advice.
We build trusted relationships.
Where technology enhances brilliant people rather than replacing them.
Where commercial thinking sits alongside genuine compassion.
Where doing the right thing matters.
As we continue to grow, you'll have genuine opportunities to influence how we develop our services, improve our client experience and shape the future of our business.
If you're looking for another HR Adviser role...
This probably isn't for you.
If you're looking to become a genuine business partner, trusted adviser and key part of an ambitious consultancy's future...
We'd love to meet you.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Please submit:
- Your CV
- A tailored covering letter explaining why you're interested in joining Breen & Associates
Your Application Challenge
Alongside your application we'd also like you to submit either a five-minute video or a five-slide presentation answering these four questions:
- What piece of HR work are you most proud of?
- What's the most innovative thing you've introduced?
- What's the biggest lesson you've learned during your HR career?
- Why Breen & Associates?
We're not looking for polished presentations.
We're looking for authenticity.
Commercial thinking.
Curiosity.
Warmth.
Initiative.
And someone who genuinely enjoys helping people and businesses succeed.
Applications submitted without the challenge will not progress to the next stage of the recruitment process.
How to Apply
Apply via Breathe HR: https://hr.breathehr.com/v/hr-people-partner-47863
Important Information
Breen & Associates is proud to be an Equal Opportunities employer and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, valued and able to thrive.
Essential Requirements
- Chartered MCIPD or FCIPD
- CIPD Level 7 (or equivalent)
- Minimum 10 years' HR experience
- Experience gained primarily within the UK private sector
- UK work authorisation
- Full UK driving licence
- Ability to travel to client sites
- Ability to reliably commute to our Bishop's Stortford office
If you're ready to help ambitious businesses build exceptional workplaces, and you'd like to help shape the future of an award-winning consultancy, we'd love to hear from you.
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Jessica, London
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