HR Business Partner (Water & Infrastructure) – Chorley (includes national travel)
We are looking for an experienced and proactive HR Business Partner to join Ipsum, supporting our operational divisions across the water utilities sectors. This role is key to aligning HR strategy with business goals, working closely with the Head of HR Operations to deliver a people-focused plan that drives performance and engagement.
What’s In It For You
* 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays with the option to buy more
* Group Personal Pension Plan
* Car allowance
* Career development & progression with the opportunity to earn professional qualifications
* 24/7 access to a virtual GP and Mental health support & counselling services
* Cycle to Work scheme
* Discount club - supermarkets, phone bills, gyms & more
* Life assurance cover
* Long service recognition
* Active local social committees
* Regular social events
About The Role
This role is key to aligning HR strategy with business goals, working closely with the Head of HR Operations to deliver a people-focused plan that drives performance and engagement. You’ll lead the delivery of local HR projects, partner with line managers to embed best practices, and play a hands-on role in shaping our culture, providing guidance and mentorship as teams grow.
As an HR Business Partner you will
* Deliver targeted workshops to boost line manager skills in disciplinaries, grievances, absence management, and more
* Empower managers to take ownership of everyday people issues and become more self-sufficient
* Support recruitment activities—advertising, screening, interviewing, onboarding—to enhance candidate experience
* Champion employee engagement and positive relations through proactive collaboration with managers
* Partner with Head of HR (Operations) to implement engagement action plans that drive performance
* Embed PeopleHR across divisions to strengthen accountability and enable cultural change
* Maintain real-time accuracy of operational data within PeopleHR
* Coordinate with Head of HR (Operations) on TUPE, acquisitions, integration, restructuring, and redundancy
* Coach managers on handling difficult conversations and resolving issues informally
* Provide pragmatic, risk-aware HR advice to managers, escalating when needed
* Prepare monthly HR reports for senior leadership and board-level business reviews
* Use HR metrics to generate insights and drive performance improvements across operational teams
About You
We are looking for a confident and experienced HR Business Partner who thrives in a fast-paced, matrixed environment. Ideally, you’ll bring experience from the utilities sector and have a strong grasp of employment law, with a proven track record of leading complex change projects such as restructures, TUPE, and variations to terms and conditions. You’ll be comfortable building relationships at all levels, influencing stakeholders, and driving meaningful business impact through strategic HR initiatives.
You’ll be CIPD qualified (Level 5 minimum), with excellent IT skills across Microsoft Office and SharePoint. Resilience, adaptability, and a proactive approach to personal development are key, as is the ability to navigate change with confidence. If you’re passionate about making a difference and ready to take ownership of your HRBP remit, we’d love to hear from you.
Our commitment to Equal Opportunities
We’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and experiences, and we’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. Before applying, please review our Privacy Policy to understand how we process your data in line with GDPR.
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