HR Business Partner (Maternity Cover – Temp toFixed-Term Contract)
Location: Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire
Onsite: 5 days per week - Free parking
Start date: June 2026
Contract: Maternity Cover –12 Month FTC
About the Organisation
Based at one of Europe’s most dynamic science and innovation campuses, this organisation operates at the forefront of research, discovery and technological advancement. Employees benefit from a highly collaborative environment, a strong sense of purpose and the opportunity to contribute to work that genuinely makes a difference. This is an inspiring setting for an HR professional who enjoys partnering with senior leaders in aplex, fast-moving and intellectually stimulating environment.
The Role
This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced HR Business Partner to join on a maternity cover basis (initially temporary, with the opportunity to move to a fixed-term contract). Reporting into senior HR leadership, you will provide professional guidance, advice and coaching across the full employee lifecycle, Working closely with Divisional Directors and Group Leaders.
You will act as a trusted partner to senior stakeholders, delivering aprehensive generalist HR service while also leading on people reporting, policy development and continuous improvement initiatives across HR processes.
Key Accountabilities
1. Act as a trusted HR partner, providing expert advice and guidance across the full range of HR matters, ensuringpliance with employment legislation, internal policies and best practice
2. Advise and coach managers and colleagues on employee relations cases, including disciplinary, grievance, performance and attendance management
3. Work closely with senior stakeholders to understand reporting and information needs, ensuring outputs are clear, relevant and aligned to organisational priorities
4. Lead the production of high-quality people reporting, using advanced Microsoft Excel skills to analyse workforce trends and operational risks
5. Partner with HR colleagues to translateplex HR data into meaningful insights, narratives and rmendations, identifying themes, variances and risks
6. Develop, review and implement HR policies and associated processes, incorporating legislative requirements and best practice
7. Line manage an HR Coordinator, providing regular supervision, support and development, includingpletion of annual appraisal activity
8. Drive continuous improvement across HR processes, identifying opportunities to streamline, standardise and automate workflows ( Microsoft Forms, SharePoint)
9. Support recruitment and selection activity, including liaising with external stakeholders and participating in interviews where required
10. Design and deliver HR briefings and training sessions on relevant policies and processes ( induction, recruitment, discipline and grievance, appraisal)
11. Advise on and participate in job evaluation processes, providing guidance to managers as required
12. Produce and interpret accurate, timely HR management information to support decision-making
13. Ensure confidentiality, accuracy andpliance in the maintenance of HR data, records and reporting
14. Contribute to HR projects aligned to the wider HR strategy, including organisational change, restructuring and TUPE-related activity
15. Undertake additional projects or activities relevant to the role as required
About You
You will be a confident, pragmatic and credible HR professional with strong stakeholder management skills and a passion for delivering high-quality HR support in a complex organisation. You will befortable operating at senior level, able to balance operational delivery with data-led insight and continuous improvement.
Why Apply?
16. Opportunity to work in a unique, science-led environment with real-world impact
17. High-profile, business-facing HR role with strong stakeholder exposure
18. Maternity cover offering immediate impact and continuity, with scope to move from temp to FTC
19. Based at an innovative and collaborative campus environment
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