The Opportunity
Are you an ambitious HR professional looking to "shine" in a high-impact role? We are seeking a dynamic, analytical, and highly confident HR Business Partner to join a fast-paced HR team in Milton Keynes. This is more than just a generalist role; it is a chance to be a strategic partner to the Senior Leadership Team while remaining "hands-on" in an open-door environment.
You will be a key driver of people performance in a unionised, safety-critical setting, balancing a complex ER caseload with the leadership of a dedicated team. If you are a quick thinker who thrives when "spinning plates" and wants to deputise for the HR Manager, this is your next career step.
Responsibilities:
ER Mastery: Lead and resolve complex and routine Employee Relations cases, including disciplinary, grievance, and performance management.
Leadership: Directly supervise and mentor a team of HR Administrators/Advisors, acting as the primary escalation point for complex queries.
Strategic Liaison: Partner with SLT and line managers to align HR activities with business objectives, providing expert, commercially-minded legal advice.
Union Relations: Manage relationships and negotiations within a unionised environment- this experience is essential.
Change Management: Support and advise on business-critical activities including redundancy, TUPE, and restructuring.
Coaching & Development: Confidently present to and upskill managers on ER best practices and the latest 2026 employment law updates.
Operational Agility: Maintain an "open door" approach, effectively managing your time to build relationships while being ready to pivot to urgent queries as they arise.
The Candidate: The successful candidate will be an ambitious HR Generalist with a "can-do" attitude and a deep understanding of UK Employment Law (including recent 2026 legislative shifts). You must be able to answer the technical "nitty-gritty"—from notice periods for formal investigations to the nuances of long-term sickness.
Essential: CIPD Level 5 (minimum), though Level 7 is highly desirable.
Experience: Proven track record in a unionised, industrial, or engineering environment.
Attributes: A quick thinker with high emotional intelligence, able to challenge stakeholders and hold your own in a fast-paced, safety-conscious site.
Skillset: Strong analytical skills and the ability to provide pragmatic solutions under pressure.
Location: Milton Keynes (Hybrid)
Salary: £45,000 + 25 Days Holiday (plus BH)
About Ford & Stanley Group Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group are in the business of people and performance. Our mission is to create one million better workdays through facilitating great recruitment, leadership and occupational mental fitness. We support our clients in their most challenging business areas – recruiting, developing and retaining the best talent from shop floor to boardroom.
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Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group Ltd is a Disability Confident employer that is committed to a policy of equal opportunities for all opportunity seekers. We shall adhere to such a policy at all times and will review on an on-going basis all aspects of recruitment to avoid unlawful or undesirable discrimination. We will treat everyone equally irrespective sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief or political beliefs and we place an obligation upon all staff to respect and act in accordance with the policy
Salary description
£45000.00 - £45000.00 per year