Human Resources Business Partner - 12 month FTC (Part Time, 3 days/21 hours a week)

Network Rail is seeking an HR Business Partner to join their team in the Wales and Western region. This role involves working closely with supported business leadership to deliver the aligned People Plan/HR strategy and provide coaching and support to leadership teams. You will offer proactive, value-add HR support on medium-term and operational people issues.

Main Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the supported business to implement and deliver the HR Strategy/People Plan, including talent, succession planning, and change management, to support business objectives and drive a high-performance culture.
• Build strong relationships with members of the supported business senior leadership team and other relevant stakeholders.
• Coach, advise, and challenge business leaders on short and medium-term HR issues as required.
• Provide operational HR support on matters such as organisation change, senior appointments, salary and bonus, and graduate or apprentice programmes.
• Deliver client-responsive, cost-effective, and integrated people solutions that address key business objectives and gain stakeholder acceptance.
• Reinforce the ownership of people management by the business and line managers and support the HR delivery model.
• Collaborate with the broader HR function, including Centres of Expertise, HR Direct, and HR shared services teams.
• Work with appropriate Union representatives to support the business in delivering business solutions.
• Liaise with HR Business Partners in other areas of the business to work collaboratively on cross-business/geographical issues.

About the Role:

This is a 12-month fixed-term opportunity with potential for extension or permanency. The role is based in Cardiff, Newport, or Baglan, with an expectation of weekly presence in the Cardiff office (at least 60% office-based). Hybrid working is available.

Your Experience and Skills:

• Demonstrates a strong business/commercial approach and understanding of business needs.
• Proven experience of working in partnership and building strong working relationships with senior managers to improve people management.
• Passion for customer service with the ability to articulate previous achievements through business deliverables.
• Knowledge and experience of implementing best practice HR solutions to drive a high-performance culture.
• Experience of coaching and influencing senior managers.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to negotiate and influence effectively at all levels of an organisation.
• Understands how to work with the business to identify, develop, and retain talent.
• Excellent technical HR Knowledge - CIPD qualified or relevant experience.
• Proven track record of operating in a complex working environment.
• Involvement in organisation change programmes (e.g., TUPE, Organisation re-design, redundancy programmes).
• Graduate calibre.
• Demonstrated personal dedication to safety.

What could set you apart:

• MCIPD/post-graduate human resources qualification.
• Understanding of project management principles and experience managing complex projects.
• Experience of working within a unionised environment.

Key Leadership Capabilities:

• Influencing others
• Creating solutions
• Understanding others
• Making things happen
• Thinking flexibly
• Customer focus