Senior HR Business Partner - Job Description
Holborn
Full time, perm
People Team
The People team is responsible for the design and delivery of the organisation's people strategy across Europe. The function encompasses Recruitment and Onboarding, HR Business Partnership and Learning and Development, working in close partnership with senior stakeholders across the business.
Role Overview
The Senior HR Business Partner plays a key role in shaping and delivering the People agenda across European offices. Acting as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, you will work closely with the People leadership team to embed people strategies, policies and processes consistently and effectively across practices.
As line manager to an HR Business Partner, you will provide day-to-day guidance, coaching and development support. You will also lead on complex employee relations, performance and organisational change matters, balancing commercial priorities with organisational values and culture.
HR Business Partnership
Build trusted, proactive relationships with senior leaders across practices
Partner with practices on workforce planning and talent management
Line-manage and coach the HR Business Partner to deliver consistent HR support
Act as escalation point for complex or sensitive people matters
Represent the People function in senior leadership discussions, providing insight and recommendationsPerformance and Employee Relations
Lead complex or high-risk ER cases including investigations, disciplinaries, grievances and exits
Oversee performance management and capability processes, ensuring fair and consistent application
Coach leaders to manage performance and conduct issues in line with organisational feedback culture
Promote proactive management of underperformance and early resolution of issues
Partner with the wider People team on ER-related policy updates and trainingTalent Management and Development
Partner with practices during annual pay, bonus and promotion cycles
Identify talent trends, progression opportunities and retention risks
Support longer-term talent and succession planning initiatives
Collaborate with Learning and Development to align development activity with talent prioritiesInsights and Project Leadership
Use HR data and analytics to identify trends, risks and opportunities
Lead or contribute to people-related projects, ensuring high-quality delivery
Use insight and feedback from practices to drive continuous improvement
Prepare data, analysis and papers for leadership and committee discussionsCulture, Alignment and Collaboration
Strengthen alignment between the People team and the wider business
Champion consistent application of people policies across all locations
Support a highly aligned and high-impact HR Business Partnering model
Role-model clear, honest and approachable communicationEssential Requirements
Proven experience in a senior HR Business Partner role
Strong coaching and relationship-building capability with senior stakeholders
Experience managing or developing HR professionals
Sound employment law knowledge and experience handling complex ER cases
Excellent communication, judgement and influencing skills
Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate data into action
Experience operating across multiple jurisdictions
Fluent English (C2 level)Desirable
Experience within professional services or a complex, people-focused organisation
Familiarity with Workday
Additional European language (French, German or Spanish - C1/C2)Adecco acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and an employment business for the supply of temporary workers. The Adecco Group UK & Ireland is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
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