Svitzer
People Business Partner
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People Business Partner – UK – Hybrid preferably from either Bristol, Liverpool or Tees office
12 Months Fixed term Contract - maternity cover
About the Role
Svitzer is a leading global towage and marine services provider operating across 37 countries with over 4,000 employees. Founded in 1833, Svitzer builds on almost 200 years of experience, and our powerful tugboats and experts in towage work tirelessly to keep goods flowing, businesses thriving, and communities connected.
In the UK, our people work in a demanding, safety-critical, operational environment. Supporting them well is not optional — it’s business critical.
We’re looking for an operational, hands-on People Business Partner for 12 months Fixed Term Contract to cover maternity leave
Location: Hybrid preferably from our Bristol, Liverpool or Middlesbrough office.
Package includes
- up to 10% contributory pension
- Private health & dental plan
- 10% bonus
Overview
We’re looking for a commercially focused People Business Partner to step into a 12-month fixed-term role supporting operational leaders across the UK. This is a hands-on partnering role; you’ll be in the detail, driving outcomes across employee relations, change, and day-to-day HR delivery.
You’ll operate in a unionised environment, so experience with trade unions and confidence navigating complex ER landscapes is a must.
What You’ll Be Doing
Business Partnering
- Work directly with managers and operational leaders to deliver practical people solutions
- Provide clear, pragmatic advice on workforce planning, team structure, and performance
- Support delivery of key people initiatives aligned to business priorities
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Employee Relations
- Lead on complex ER cases including disciplinary, grievance, and absence
- Engage with trade union representatives on consultations and ongoing matters
- Ensure consistent, fair, and legally compliant application of policies
- Support negotiations, consultations, and dispute resolution
Change & Transformation
- Support organisational change programmes including restructures and redeployment
- Manage consultation processes in line with legal and collective agreement requirements
- Ensure change is implemented smoothly with clear communication
Risk & Compliance
- Maintain strong governance and ensure compliance with UK employment law
- Identify, manage, and escalate people-related risks where required
What You’ll Bring
- Solid experience as a People/HR Business Partner or Senior Advisor
- Strong track record in employee relations within a unionised environment
- Working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice
- Experience supporting organisational change and consultation processes
- Ability to influence, challenge, and build credibility with stakeholders
- Pragmatic mindset — you focus on solutions, not theory
What We’re Looking For
- Someone comfortable operating independently
- A steady pair of hands who can balance operational pressure with sound judgement
- Clear, direct communicator who can challenge constructively
- Organised, adaptable, and able to keep pace with a busy operational environment
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This role is about delivery. If you’re strong on ER, confident with unions, and comfortable being the go-to HR partner for the business — this role is for you.
Building a Diverse Workplace
In Svitzer we value the diversity of our talent and will always strive to recruit the best person for the job – we value diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to gender, age, nationality, race, sexual orientation, disability, or religious beliefs. We are proud of our diversity and see it as a genuine source of strength for building high performing teams.
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that members from some under-represented groups are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t meet every single qualification. At Svitzer we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles, and we are excited about hearing from you!
How to Apply
To apply for this role, please click on the 'Apply Now' button and create a Candidate Home to manage your applications.
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