HR Business Partner – Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)

Locations: Bristol, Darlington, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Wolverhampton

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is central to the UK government's agenda for economic growth and improving citizens' lives. We empower local communities, rebuild local government, deliver essential housing, ensure building safety, foster social cohesion, and support local growth. Our People, Capability & Change (PC&C) directorate is key to developing an inclusive and high-performing workforce.

We are seeking an experienced HR Business Partner to join our supportive and high-performing HRBP team within the PC&C directorate. This role involves acting as a trusted advisor to Senior Leaders at Director level, enabling them to achieve their objectives through strategic people priorities. These priorities include:

• Organizational change management.
• Workforce planning, assessing current and future needs against work plans.
• Building organizational capability and supporting employee performance.
• Advising on diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• Promoting staff wellbeing.
• Providing strategic HR advice aligned with business strategy, diagnosing people-related implications and risks.

HR Business Partners also collaborate across the PC&C directorate to support the delivery of people priorities, offering business insights into HR strategy and adapting the HR work program to shifting departmental needs. Close collaboration with other corporate teams, particularly Finance, is also essential.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build and manage relationships with senior stakeholders, influencing, consulting, and negotiating to secure confidence.
• Provide challenge and influence at senior management team level to achieve objectives.
• Utilize data and evidence to inform decisions, interpreting complex information to present insights and drive excellence in HR systems and practice.
• Enhance capability through effective coaching and mentoring, both individually and at a team level, to drive high performance.
• Lead people-focused transformational change management programs and manage cultural change initiatives.
• Apply expertise in employment law and employee relations principles.

Essential Qualifications & Experience:

• CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent HR experience.
• Proven experience in building strong, trust-based partnerships with senior stakeholders, with the ability to influence, constructively challenge, and provide feedback.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and the ability to respond to unexpected demands.
• Experience in analyzing and utilizing data to implement and measure the success of people-focused initiatives.
• Experience working in ambiguous environments, using curiosity and initiative to achieve optimal business outcomes.
• Ability to maintain personal effectiveness under pressure, setbacks, or challenging situations.

What We Offer:

• Salary: £58,092 per annum.
• Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme contribution: £16,829.
• A range of benefits including tailored career pathways, flexible working, MyLifestyle Staff Benefits Scheme, Childcare Vouchers, and Cycle to Work Schemes.

Application & Selection Process:

• Stage 1: Sift (CV & Cover Letter)
• Your CV and Cover Letter must be merged into a single document.
• Cover Letter (max 1 page) must include a response to: "Can you describe how you have operated to influence, challenge and resolve complex HR issues with senior leaders? Please outline your approach and how you ensured the desired outcome was achieved?"
• Sifting is expected to take place the week commencing 06/07.
• Stage 2: Interview
• Focus on Behaviours (Seeing The Bigger Picture, Leadership, Communicating and Influencing) and Strengths.
• Candidates will be asked to prepare a presentation (details provided upon invitation).
• Interviews are expected to take place the week commencing 13/07, currently held remotely.

Important Notes:

• Do not include personally identifiable information on your CV.
• All applications must be submitted via the provided application link.
• AI tools may be used to support the hiring process, but all information must be truthful and factually accurate from your own experience.
• Disability Confident Scheme (DCS): We are a Disability Confident employer and welcome applications from candidates meeting the minimum criteria.
• Nationality Requirements: Open to UK nationals, Irish nationals, Commonwealth citizens with the right to work, and certain EU/EEA nationals and their family members with settled/pre-settled status.
• Security Clearance: BPSS (National Office) or BPSS + CTC (London Office) required. Successful candidates will undergo criminal record checks and meet security requirements.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.