HR Business Partner - Transformation
Posted 1 day ago by Cedar
£370 Per day
Inside
Hybrid
London, England, United Kingdom
Summary: The HR Business Partner role focuses on leading Industrial Relations and union engagement within a complex environment as part of a broader HR transformation programme. The position requires collaboration with senior leaders and trade union representatives to support organizational change while ensuring compliance with UK employment legislation. The role is pivotal in enhancing employee relations and embedding strategic HR practices. This is an interim assignment lasting 6-12 months, starting in March 2026.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead on Industrial Relations strategy and union engagement activity.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with trade unions and employee representatives.
- Support and lead collective consultations, restructures and workforce transitions.
- Manage complex employee relations matters, ensuring fair and legally compliant outcomes.
- Provide expert advice on UK employment legislation within a unionised context.
- Contribute to the HR transformation programme by embedding improved processes, governance and ways of working.
- Use workforce data and insight to identify risks and inform proactive interventions.
- Champion fairness, inclusion and consistent application of policy.
Key Skills:
- Significant experience as a senior HR Business Partner in a highly unionised environment.
- Strong Industrial Relations expertise, including negotiation and collective consultation.
- Experience supporting organisational change and transformation initiatives.
- In-depth knowledge of UK employment legislation.
- Credible, resilient and confident influencing senior stakeholders.
- Pragmatic, solutions-focused and able to deliver impact at pace.
Salary (Rate): £370.00/daily
City: London
Country: United Kingdom
Working Arrangements: hybrid
IR35 Status: inside IR35
Seniority Level: Senior
Industry: HR
Cedar are seeking an experienced HR Business Partner to join a 6-12 month interim assignment as part of a wider HR transformation programme within a complex environment. This role has a strong Industrial Relations (IR) focus. You will play a pivotal role in strengthening union engagement, supporting organisational change and embedding a more strategic, consistent people approach as the HR function evolves. You will work closely with senior leaders and trade union representatives, providing credible, commercially balanced advice that supports business priorities while maintaining constructive employee relations.
Day Rate: up to £370 (Inside IR35)
Start Date: March 2026
Duration: 6-12 months
Location: Central London (3 days in the office, 2 days from home)
Key Responsibilities
- Lead on Industrial Relations strategy and union engagement activity.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with trade unions and employee representatives.
- Support and lead collective consultations, restructures and workforce transitions.
- Manage complex employee relations matters, ensuring fair and legally compliant outcomes.
- Provide expert advice on UK employment legislation within a unionised context.
- Contribute to the HR transformation programme by embedding improved processes, governance and ways of working.
- Use workforce data and insight to identify risks and inform proactive interventions.
- Champion fairness, inclusion and consistent application of policy.
About You
- Significant experience as a senior HR Business Partner in a highly unionised environment.
- Strong Industrial Relations expertise, including negotiation and collective consultation.
- Experience supporting organisational change and transformation initiatives.
- In-depth knowledge of UK employment legislation.
- Credible, resilient and confident influencing senior stakeholders.
- Pragmatic, solutions-focused and able to deliver impact at pace.