Senior HR Business Partner

Job summary

Lead Employee Relations with impact at Cafcass

At Cafcass, our work supports children and families at some of the most important and difficult moments in their lives, and the experience and support we provide for colleagues is central to how well we deliver that purpose. This is an exciting time to join a HR function that is continuing to evolve, strengthen and improve how it supports leaders, colleagues and services across the organisation.

We are looking for an experienced Senior HR Business Partner to join our HR Business Partnering team, with a clear focus on Employee Relations, complex casework, policy development, leadership support and continuous improvement. This is a senior role for someone who can provide confident, credible and pragmatic HR leadership across a complex organisation.

Job description

About the role

As Senior HR Business Partner, you will be a senior member of the HR function, working closely with the other Senior HR Business Partners, Head of HR Business Partnering and the Chief People Officer to provide professional advice, sound leadership and HR support aligned to Cafcass’ strategic plan and people priorities.

You will provide strategic interface between senior leaders, operational managers and HR colleagues, offering consistently high-quality Employee Relations advice, guidance and support. You will coach, support and mentor leaders through complex HR issues and casework, including dismissal and appeal hearings, employment tribunal preparation and organisational change activity.

This role will also play a key part in overseeing and improving ER case management across Cafcass, supporting the coordination and, monitoring of cases, developing management reporting, identifying trends and risks, and helping strengthen the confidence and capability of leaders to manage people issues effectively.

What you will be doing

• Provide expert HR advice and guidance on complex Employee Relations matters, formal procedures, organisational change and people management issues.
• Oversee and facilitate ER case management across the organisation, coordinating and monitoring cases so that they progress in line with policy and timescales.
• Develop weekly ER progress reporting and analysis, providing clear recommendations on hotspots, risks, trends and areas for improvement to support senior leadership discussions.
• Coach, support and mentor senior leaders in the application of HR policies and practices, including complex casework, dismissal and appeal hearings, and employment tribunal matters where required.
• Provide professional leadership, development, challenge, motivation and coaching to HR colleagues, including HR Officers and others within the HR Business Partnering service.
• Lead on policy development with a specific focus on Employee Relations, working with Senior HR Business Partners, HR leadership colleagues and trade unions to support timely policy change and implementation.
• Support the Head of HR Business Partnering with employment tribunal claim processes, liaison with employment lawyers and the development of ER systems that improve the efficiency of ER processes.
• Work with Organisational Development colleagues to support leadership upskilling initiatives that improve managers’ confidence and competence in handling people matters.
• Use HR data, insight and management information to inform planning, challenge areas for improvement and support better decision-making.
• Contribute to the development of a high-performing, responsive and innovative HR function that supports Cafcass’ workforce and future organisational resilience.

Person specification

About you

We are looking for a confident and experienced HR professional who can combine Employee Relations expertise with strong leadership, judgement and stakeholder influence.

You will bring:

• Significant experience operating at HR Business Partner or Senior HR Business Partner level in a large or complex organisation, with public sector experience preferable.
• Proven expertise in managing complex Employee Relations cases and organisational change programmes.
• Up-to-date and comprehensive knowledge of employment law, including legislative theory and case law where appropriate.
• Strong experience advising directly on complex HR issues and casework, with the credibility to influence senior stakeholders.
• Experience providing credible support, advice and guidance to stakeholders at all levels on workforce-related matters.
• The ability to work across matrix relationships, influence senior leaders and provide constructive challenge where needed.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data, HR systems and insight to support decision-making.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to be clear, concise and credible in individual and group settings.
• A creative, flexible and pragmatic approach to resolving complex issues, using sound professional judgement.
• A collaborative, inclusive and values-led approach, with high levels of personal integrity, conduct and credibility.

Benefits

Why join Cafcass?

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in an organisation with a unique and important purpose. You will be joining a HR team with a clear focus on improvement, colleague experience and supporting leaders to make confident, fair and effective people decisions.

In return, you will be part of an organisation that offers:

• A senior HR role with real influence across Employee Relations, policy, leadership capability and organisational improvement.
• Flexible working, with regular travel to London and other Cafcass locations across England where required.
• Access to the West Yorkshire Pension Fund, a Local Government Pension Scheme.
• 28 days’ annual leave, rising to 33 days after five years’ reckonable service, inclusive of three privilege days between Christmas and New Year, plus eight bank/public holidays.
• The opportunity to help shape a proactive, effective and trusted HR Business Partnering service across Cafcass.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

It is anticipated the selection process will involve at least two selection stages.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo an enhanced (or equivalent) criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Com