Strategic HR Business Partner

Avanti West Coast; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading transportation company is seeking a Strategic HR Business Partner to support its people agenda across a diverse operational network. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in customer-focused, operational HR environments, preferably in unionized settings. Responsibilities include building relationships with leaders, providing advice on employment matters, and contributing to key business objectives. Degree-level education or CIPD Level 7 qualification is preferred. The role requires regular travel across locations and a commitment to being present in the workplace.

Qualifications

• Experience in a customer-focused, operational, and ideally unionised environment.
• Well-rounded HR generalist with strong employment law knowledge.
• Confidently challenge, influence, and coach senior managers.
• Highly organised, resilient, and adaptable.
• Build trust quickly and act as a reliable advisor.

Responsibilities

• Build strong, effective relationships with senior leaders and managers.
• Provide clear advice on a range of employment matters.
• Work with HR Services to deliver high-quality HR service.
• Support implementation of organisational changes.
• Maintain presence across various locations to meet HR needs.
• Contribute to the delivery of key business objectives.

Skills

Strong employment law knowledge

Customer-focused operational experience

Ability to challenge and influence

Highly organised and resilient

Ability to build trust quickly

Education

Degree-level education or CIPD Level 7 qualification

Job description

Are you an HR expert who loves balancing strategic thinking with hands on operational impact?

We are seeking a confident and capable Strategic HR Business Partner to join our team and play a key role in supporting our people agenda across a diverse operational network.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced HR professional who is comfortable working in a fast-paced, customer-focused, and unionised environment.

About the Role

As an HR Business Partner, you will:

• Build strong, effective relationships with senior leaders, operational managers, colleagues, and trade union representatives
• Provide clear, pragmatic advice on a full range of employment matters, highlighting risks and guiding managers towards sound, compliant decisions
• Work closely with our HR Services team and subject matter experts to deliver a consistent, high quality HR service
• Support the implementation and embedding of organisational and industry-wide changes, working collaboratively with trade unions
• Maintain a strong presence across our stations, depots, and offices, ensuring HR remains visible, accessible, and aligned to the needs of the business
• Contribute directly to the delivery of key business objectives through proactive workforce planning, engagement, and problem‑solving

Please see the role profile for more information.

This role requires regular travel across our network and a commitment to being in the workplace for the majority of the working week.

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience in a customer‑focused, operational, and ideally unionised environment
• Is a well‑rounded HR generalist with strong employment law knowledge
• Can confidently challenge, influence, and coach senior managers
• Is highly organised, resilient, and able to adapt to changing priorities
• Builds trust quickly and acts as a reliable, professional advisor at all levels

Qualifications

• Degree‑level education or CIPD Level 7 qualification (preferred)

Be You. With Us.

At Avanti West Coast, we believe our strength comes from the unique perspectives, experiences and backgrounds of our people. We are proud to build a workplace where diversity is embraced, and everyone is supported to thrive.

We welcome individuals of all races, religions, ages, genders, gender identities, sexual orientations and abilities. Our goal is to reflect the communities we serve and create an environment where everyone feels valued and heard.

When you join Avanti West Coast, you become part of a close-knit team that encourages authenticity. We want you to bring your whole self to work. No need to change who you are to fit in. Your individuality is what makes us better.

We celebrate it, we respect it and we put it to great use.

Our Avanti West Coast Values

Passionate-We foster a culture where everyone is driven by our mission and are dedicated to achieving it together.

Committed-We are committed to safety, reliability and delivering the very best for our customers, our colleagues, stakeholders and the industry.

Integrity-We believe in taking responsibility for our reactions and decisions to ensure we do the right thing even when it is difficult to do and hold others accountable for doing the same.

Ambitious-We strive to be the best and are curious to new ways of working within our business and the wider industry.

Authentic-We are genuine, caring and grounded individuals that operate and communicate with openness, trust and clarity.