HR Business Partner (12 Month Maternity Cover)
What It’s Like to Work Here
At IWM, people care deeply about the mission and about each other. You’ll join a genuinely supportive community where:
* Relationships are built on trust
* Curiosity and continuous improvement are encouraged
* Hybrid working is enabled where practical
* New ideas, innovation and evidence‑led decision‑making are welcomed
* Wellbeing, inclusion and respect are central to our culture
People & Culture has strong visibility across the organisation, working closely with leaders to embed inclusive behaviours, strengthen capability and deliver meaningful change. You’ll have the autonomy to bring your expertise, creativity and judgement to the table.
Although primarily based in London, you’ll also travel to our five branches across the UK, ensuring all colleagues receive a consistent, high‑quality People service.
What You’ll Be Doing
Business Partnering & Leadership Support
* Building strong, proactive relationships with senior leaders and managers across your business areas
* Designing and delivering local people plans aligned to IWM’s strategic objectives
* Coaching managers on performance, employee relations, change, and people management
* Acting as a change agent, supporting delivery of organisational change programmes
* Leading on complex employee relations cases, using IWM’s restorative framework to resolve issues effectively
* Using people analytics, survey data and key metrics to inform decision‑making and highlight priorities
* Supporting succession planning and workforce planning, working closely with Learning & Development
* Updating, advising on and developing People policies and procedures
* Identifying and mitigating people risks, including capability gaps, single‑point dependencies and organisational risks
* Building constructive relationships with recognised trade union representatives
Delivering the People & Culture Strategy
* Supporting the Director of People & Culture in delivering strategic people initiatives
* Researching, benchmarking and bringing new ideas to strengthen people practices
* Leading or contributing to projects that enhance employee experience and organisational culture
* Playing a key role in advancing IWM’s Access & Inclusion agenda
* Supporting employee engagement initiatives and contributing to the development of IWM’s employee value proposition
* Contributing to annual corporate planning and ensuring People plans are achievable and aligned to organisational goals
What We’re Looking For
Required
* CIPD Level 7 qualification or equivalent senior‑level HR/OD/change experience
* Strong ability to deliver impactful HR advice at senior management level
* Experience managing complex people initiatives, organisational change or multi‑stakeholder projects
* Confidence handling senior‑level conversations with sound judgement and discretion
* Experience supporting performance, employee relations and people development
* Ability to work effectively under pressure, balancing planned work with unplanned issues
* Experience identifying, designing and implementing People initiatives
* Strategic partnering experience, particularly around organisational design and development
Desirable
* Experience working with trade unions or staff forums
* Experience working within organisations focused on continuous improvement
* Experience supporting multi‑site operations
* Experience in a commercialised not‑for‑profit or cultural sector environment
How You’ll Work
You’ll work in partnership with senior leaders and managers across all directorates, ensuring that People & Culture is a trusted, proactive and strategic partner. You’ll collaborate with specialists in Learning & Development, People Operations, Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion and organisational leadership to deliver a cohesive, high‑impact People service.
Hybrid working is available, with on‑site presence guided by business needs, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement.
What Success Looks Like
* Strong, trusted relationships with senior leaders and managers
* Clear people plans that support business priorities and positive cultural change
* High‑quality coaching and guidance that strengthens people capability
* Meaningful improvements in employee experience, engagement and inclusion
* Positive outcomes in complex employee relations cases
* Evidence‑led insights supporting strategic decision‑making
* Contribution to key People & Culture projects and strategic programmes
* A developed and more confident People Advisor/Officer cohort
For a full list of duties and the person specification which your application will be marked against, please view the Job Description.
National Museum Directors' Council, National Museums Liverpool, World Museum, WilliamBrown Street, Liverpool, L3 8EN
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