HR Business Partner

REACH YOUR POTENTIAL | COLLABORATE WITH AMAZING PEOPLE | MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN

Do you have the skills, passion, and commitment to transform our clients for the better? Are you ready to be a changemaker? If so, join us.

North Highland is the world’s leading change and transformation consultancy. Simply put, we make change happen like no one else and we’re on the hunt for a HR Business Partner (HR BP) with Employee Relations & Compliance expertise within our London, UK office.

HOW WILL YOU MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN?

The HR Business Partner (HRBP) with ER & Compliance Expertise is a key member of the HR team, responsible for delivering strategic HR support while managing complex Employee Relations (ER) issues and ensuring compliance with UK, EU, and US employment laws. This role will focus on guiding business units through effective employee relations management, maintaining compliance with labor regulations, and supporting key HR initiatives. The ideal candidate will bring deep experience in managing ER cases, providing compliance guidance, and acting as a trusted advisor to both HR teams and business leaders.

You’ll be working alongside other changemakers in our firm to elevate brand awareness and engagement through our owned social channels, integrated campaign support, and employee advocacy programs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES WILL CONSIST OF:

HR Business Partnering:

• Serve as a strategic partner to business leaders by providing expert advice on HR matters, particularly in relation to employee relations, compliance, and organizational development.
• Support business units by aligning HR strategies with business objectives, ensuring the effective delivery of HR programs across the organization.
• Act as the main HR point of contact for managers and employees, offering guidance on day-to-day HR issues while supporting the overall employee experience.

Employee Relations (ER) Management:

• Lead and manage complex employee relations cases, including grievances, disciplinaries, investigations, and performance management, ensuring fair and consistent outcomes.
• Provide guidance on best practices in ER, supporting managers through difficult cases and ensuring appropriate documentation and legal compliance.
• Act as a SME on UK employment law matters, advising managers and HR teams on legal implications and best practices, especially in high-risk or complex ER cases.
• Mediate employee disputes and resolve conflicts by working closely with line managers, employees, and legal teams to ensure issues are addressed in a timely and compliant manner.
• Track, report, and analyze ER data to identify trends and improve the handling of employee relations matters.

Compliance and Legal Adherence:

• In partnership with our compliance manager, ensure HR policies, procedures, and practices comply with UK, EU, and US employment regulations, including those related to discipline, grievance procedures, and termination processes.
• Serve as a UK subject matter expert on labor laws and regulations, providing up-to-date compliance advice to the business and HR teams.
• Partner with the legal team and the compliance manager to mitigate risks and handle any compliance-related issues, ensuring the organization is well-protected from legal challenges.
• In partnership with our compliance manager, regularly review and update HR policies and procedures to maintain alignment with current labor laws and industry best practices.

Team Leadership and Collaboration:

• Act as a collaborative partner to the wider HR team, working closely with other HRBPs to ensure a unified approach to employee relations and compliance matters across different regions.
• Lead and/or contribute to HR projects, including those focused on ER and compliance, ensuring they are delivered on time and meet the organization’s strategic goals.
• Lead a team of up to three HR Business Partners (HRBPs), providing guidance and mentoring while fostering a collaborative team environment.
• Act as a key point of contact for your HRBP team, ensuring that each member has the support they need to handle complex cases and align with strategic goals.
• Provide leadership and coaching to HRBPs in managing ER cases, compliance, and other HR initiatives, ensuring consistency across the team.

Performance Management and Coaching:

• Partner with business leaders to manage performance issues, ensuring that underperformance is addressed in a structured and legally compliant manner.
• Provide coaching and support to managers on employee relations and compliance matters, empowering them to handle employee issues effectively and within legal guidelines.
• Conduct regular training sessions for managers on ER best practices, compliance, and the effective handling of disciplinary matters.

IDEALLY, WE’D LIKE:

• Extensive experience in generalist HR roles (particularly as a HRBP), demonstrating a proven track record of delivering across key HR functions and projects.
• Extensive end-to-end project management experience.
• International experience- USA, Europe &/or UK.
• Strong business acumen skills.
• Experience supporting a management consulting, advisory, or professional services firm required.
• Outstanding critical thinking skills required in addition to strong business acumen.
• Ability to produce high quality work, be flexible, prioritize business demands, anticipate needs, and take initiative.
• Strong analytical skills: Ability to improve the execution of HR delivery through the analysis of trends and metrics.
• Excellent written, interpersonal, and communication skills required.
• Demonstrated knowledge & proficiency with HRIS systems; Workday experience preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and other productivity tools required.
• HR certification preferred.
• Meticulous attention to details.
• Experience of partnering with stakeholders at all levels, up to and including executives.
• Experience of managing end-to-end HR processes for complex and varied stakeholder groups.

Employee Relations Expertise:

Proven track record of managing complex employee relations cases and resolving issues fairly and efficiently.

Compliance Knowledge:

Strong knowledge of labor laws and regulations across multiple regions, with the ability to ensure compliance at all levels.

Leadership:

Ability to lead and mentor HR professionals, particularly in ER and compliance matters.

Problem Solving:

Demonstrated ability to resolve complex HR issues while mitigating legal risks and maintaining compliance.

Communication:

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to provide clear and actionable advice on sensitive matters.

EXPECTATIONS:

• Productivity – completes all work within the expected timeframe.
• Accuracy of Work – completes all work in an accurate manner with few, if any, mistakes (especially with data).
• Business Acumen – demonstrates capacity to operate role in line with the business needs, requirements, and changes.
• Relationship Management – forms and maximizes relationships with business partners through effective and timely communication, responsiveness, knowledge share, and a solution-oriented approach.
• Communication – provides clear messaging through emails, NH Weekly updates, power point presentations, etc. to inform and influence the business.
• Cultural Awareness – demonstrates and utilizes an awareness of our culture and how data impacts, informs, and influences our culture.

TRANSFORMING CLIENTS. TRANSFORMING CAREERS.

Success—for both our clients and our colleagues—is all about putting people first and doing great things together. We believe that when we work as one team, we can take action today to build lasting capability for tomorrow.

We strive to have the most enviable culture on the planet, inspiring people to reach their full potential. Here’s how we make it happen:

Intentional, flexible growth. We never want you to settle. Leading your own growth and transformation is your prerogative—one which we’ll help you nurture and develop every step of the way. We’ll inspire you to learn, teach, and ultimately carve your own path. That means you grow, we grow, and so do our clients.

People-first, and then some. It goes without saying that people come first, but what comes next? Our people are always at the heart; your wellbeing and success is built on a collective understanding that every one of us can be a coach, a friend, and a fantastic listener—regardless of job title. We think of it as a celebration of individuality, difference, and diversity.

Make your own change happen. With us, your curiosity and creativity know no bounds. The reins are off. All we ask is that you have the courage to transform yourself and those around you—colleagues and clients alike. If you’ve got the drive to become a changemaker, we’ll do the rest.

READY TO MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN?

North Highland makes change happen, helping businesses transform by placing people at the heart of every decision. It’s how lasting progress is made. With our blend of workforce, customer, and operational expertise, we’re recognized as the world’s leading transformation consultancy. We broke new ground today, so tomorrow is easier to navigate.

Founded in 1992, North Highland is regularly named one of the best places to work. We are a proud member of Cordence Worldwide, a global network of truly connected consultancy firms with the ability to think and deliver together.

This means North Highland has more than 3,500 experts in 50+ offices around the globe on hand to partner with you.

Please note that applicants must be authorized to work in the United Kingdom without the need for visa sponsorship by North Highland. Work visa sponsorship will not be provided, either now or in the future, for this position.

North Highland is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.