Senior HR Business Partner

The Pirbright Institute delivers world-leading research to understand, predict, detect, and respond to viral disease outbreaks. We study viruses of livestock that are endemic and exotic to the UK, including zoonotic viruses, by using the most advanced tools and technologies to understand host-pathogen interactions in animals and arthropod vectors. Our major strength in understanding the immune systems of livestock provides a platform to control current diseases and respond to emerging threats.

Our Institute is made up of a dynamic and vibrant community of staff covering a diverse set of chosen fields, backgrounds, and experience. We all play a crucial role in furthering the Institute’s aspirations, advancing the frontiers of science and knowledge through our excellent scientific research, knowledge sharing and contribution; with a real focus in improving the world in which we live. Our outlook is always balanced by our strong sense of purpose, values and behaviours and an unwavering commitment to a ‘one Institute’ approach.

Organisation position and purpose

The Pirbright Institute is a multifaceted with highly skilled employees across all Directorates. The Human Resources (HR) team reflect that diversity with a depth of experience and honed HR skillsets that are delivered with first-class customer service that is also flexible and adaptive to the needs of the Institute.

We are looking for a dynamic and versatile Senior HR Business Partner with broad HRBP experience within a multi-disciplinary environment. A successful HR Business Partner will guide and support across the full employee lifecycle: Leadership Development, Performance Management, Succession Planning, Employee Relations, Flexible Working, Disciplinaries, Pay Reviews, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, and Wellbeing. We are also looking for specialist skills in Change Management, Project Delivery, and best practice Formal Consultation processes.

Our HR team Mission is “To be a People First shared service that Adds Value by delivering standards of Excellence to Attract, Develop, Support, and Empower Our Community”, we are proud of our first-class customer service, and collaborative and proactive approach with a shared purpose to ensure streamlined, consistent, and employee-centric delivery.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Responsible for Business Partnering across all Directorates, with support from the HRBP, delivering full lifecycle support with a flexibility to guide as needed.
• Plan, deliver and embed Change initiatives alongside the Head of HR.
• Drive implementation of Change initiatives and projects taking the Institute with you and ensure an understanding both the purpose and objective.
• Collaborate with the HR Operations Manager and the HRBP with other HR colleagues as appropriate to leverage best practice.
• Lead in partnership with the L&D Manager the development of Leadership and Management skills and capability through coaching, training, and mentoring whilst driving accountability.
• Working in partnership with the Head of HR you will manage and support employee engagement initiatives, develop Talent Management and Succession planning programs, own the Institute’s Redeployment process minimising risk of redundancy.
• Deputise for the Head of HR as needed, support the HR team, and collaborate with Leaders, Managers, and employees across the Institute.

This job description is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The jobholder will carry out any other duties as may be reasonably required by his/her line manager. The job description and personal specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of The Pirbright Institute.

All employees shall actively participate in the Institute-wide quality assurance system in conjunction with the Institute’s Quality Manager. Employees are also expected to safeguard their own health and safety and security by following policies and all employees are responsible for the Health and Safety and security of staff under their management.

This job description is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The jobholder will carry out any other duties as may be reasonably required by their line manager. The job description and personal specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of The Pirbright Institute.

Personal Specification

• Change Champion.
• Ability to Lead with excellence and by example.
• Ability to successfully challenge internal stakeholders with a positive approach.
• A passionate HR professional with breadth and depth of experience within a multi-disciplinary organization.
• Keen eye with attention to detail.
• Driven with a desire to learn.

Essential/Desirable requirements

Essential

• Degree qualification or minimum Level 5 CIPD or equivalent experience.
• Proven experience in HR Business Partnering within a complex environment.
• Excellent and demonstratable working knowledge of UK Employment Law with capability to apply knowledge appropriately.
• Passionate about Change and driving excellence.
• Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office, CRM systems.

Desirable

• Experience working within a regulated environment.
• Previous experience working within a similar industry.

Due to the nature of the work carried out by Pirbright, all successful applicants will be required to go through a comprehensive screening process including reference and qualification checks, financial and security clearances.

What we offer

• Generous Group Personal Pension Scheme and life cover (subject to age and earnings).
• 25 days annual leave per annum, pro rata, plus 10.5 public and privilege days.
• Buy and sell annual leave.
• Option to carry over up to two weeks annual leave.
• Pirbright gym with subsidised membership.
• Pirbright social club.
• Pirbright Lifestyle Hub (employee discount site).
• Cycle to work.
• Subsidised employee restaurant.
• Childcare allowance.
• Free onsite parking.
• Electric car charging facilities.

Due to the high volume of applications, we receive, if you have not heard from us within one month from closing date of the vacancy, then please contact us on jobs@pirbright.ac.uk for an update.