We’re looking for an experienced People Partner to join our People & Business Support function. This is a varied, strategic and operational role, partnering with senior leaders to shape and deliver people solutions that directly support operational readiness and organisational performance. You’ll be embedded within business areas as a trusted advisor—guiding leaders, influencing strategic decisions, and helping to create a high‑performing, inclusive and future‑focused culture.
Why AirTanker? AirTanker is a vital part of the UK’s defence capability, delivering air-to-air refuelling and air transport services to the RAF and MOD. We operate at the intersection of military precision and commercial innovation. As a People Partner, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping a high‑performing, inclusive, and future‑ready workforce. By partnering with senior leaders, driving effective workforce planning, and transforming people data into meaningful insight, you’ll ensure our people strategy supports operational excellence. Your expertise will help create an environment where our people thrive—enabling AirTanker to deliver when it matters most.
What's in it for you?
* Strategic Influence: Shape workforce planning, organisational design, and leadership capability—directly influencing how effectively the organisation operates and delivers its mission.
* People‑Centric Impact: Help create a high‑performing, inclusive culture by guiding leaders, improving employee experience, and ensuring our people have the support and environment they need to thrive.
* Leadership Partnership: Work closely with senior leaders as a trusted advisor, providing expert guidance that shapes behaviours, capability, and decision‑making at the highest levels.
* Comprehensive Benefits: Including private medical insurance, bonus scheme, EV scheme, contributory pension, and more.
* Adventure & Belonging: Battlefield tours, adventure training, and family fun days.
What you'll be doing
* Partner with senior leaders to shape people strategy, support organisational design, and drive change across your business areas.
* Lead workforce and establishment planning, ensuring the right skills and capabilities are in place to meet operational demands.
* Manage complex employee relations cases and provide on‑call support for urgent people matters.
* Collaborate with People specialists (Learning & Development, Reward, Wellbeing, Talent Acquisition, etc.) to deliver integrated, effective people solutions.
* Use data and insights to inform decisions, produce reports, and highlight trends and risks.
* Deliver key people projects across areas such as organisational design, reward, talent, engagement, and performance.
What you'll bring
Essential
* CIPD Level 5 or equivalent qualification/experience.
* Significant experience in a senior HR or People Partnering role.
* Strong understanding of UK employment law in regulated or unionised environments.
* Expertise in resource and establishment planning (aviation or similar environments desirable).
* Experience managing complex ER cases and providing on‑call HR support.
* High resilience and the ability to thrive in a mission‑critical setting.
* Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
* Confident use of HRIS and Office 365 (Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) with a data‑driven mindset.
Desirable
* CIPD Chartered or working towards it.
* Experience in PFI, aviation, defence or operationally focused organisations.
* Understanding of MOD, CAA/EASA or Sponsored Reserves frameworks.
* Coaching, mediation or conflict‑resolution accreditation.
* Experience with TUPE, mobilisation or contingency planning.
#J-18808-Ljbffr