HR Business Partner
Aircraft Research Association (ARA) is a unique SME and the UK’s leading independent transonic wind tunnel with a passionate workforce of engineering and aerodynamic professionals. We are a leading specialist in aerodynamic research providing complementary services and solutions to international aerospace and defence clients. Our clients include Saab, Bombardier, Boeing, Turkish Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Airbus, Comac and BAE Systems.
Typical projects include producing scaled-down military and civilian aircraft models, comprising multiple parts, which are assembled together and used as highly accurate forces/pressures measuring devices within the on-site high-speed (transonic) wind tunnel.
ARA is a unique SME originally built in the 1950s and represents some of the best engineering of the age. We are proud to have a passionate workforce of highly skilled engineering and aerodynamic professionals. We are the leading specialist in aerodynamic research providing complementary services and solutions to international aerospace and defence clients. Our clients include Saab, Bombardier, Boeing, Turkish Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Airbus, Comac and BAE Systems.
Our site in Bedford centres around our impressive transonic wind tunnel – the equipment which drives it – whilst the research performed is often unique to ARA and involves many bespoke processes.
We currently have an exciting opportunity for a HR Business Partner to join our ARA team. Reporting to the Head of HR, you will support the delivery of a robust HR service to the business – focusing on improving management capability and developing appropriate training and development practices.
Salary: £50,000
Typical Hours: Full time, 38 hours per week
This is a varied and demanding role and it involves a number of duties and responsibilities
- Provide input and support to the Head of Human Resources Manager regarding change management, organisational development and execution that is aligned with business strategies.
- Provide ongoing operational advice on a range of People issues: e.g. Employee Relations, Performance Management, Training and Development , Contractual and policy development
- Manages functional and business projects.
- Analyses data to identify trends and implications, and leads on local action to address these ensuring high level of accuracy.
- Keep-up-date knowledge of employment law requirements to ensure ARA remains compliant.
- Analyses data to identify trends and implications, and leads on local action to address these.
- Works closely together with senior stakeholders and Heads of departments
- Needs to be willing and flexible to undertake other related tasks as required by the business.
What we are looking for in you
- Fully understands the strategic and operational drivers of the HR function and the value it brings to any organisation
- Established HR generalist, ideally in a matrixed organisation.
- Someone who is proactive and pragmatic with a thorough knowledge of UK employment law and how to apply it to real life situations.
- HR related degree and/or CIPD level 7 and/or equivalent experience in a similar HRBP role and skills demonstrable.
- Experience of coaching and developing less experienced colleagues.
- Experience of managing change or transformation within an HR or business environment.
- Mediation experience as well as managing in relation to ET’s will be valuable.
- Experience of leading and successfully implementing operational and strategic initiatives across a range of different sectors.
- Experience of working successfully with an outsourced payroll service provider
Our benefits:
This is an exciting permanent opportunity for the right person to be part of a successful and highly skilled engineering company. In return, we offer a range of benefits including: a competitive salary and pension scheme; free parking; share incentive plan; employee assistance programme; private health insurance and 26 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays (increasing with length of service after 5 years’ service).
The successful candidate must satisfy security clearance requirements – including the last 5 years continual UK residency.
Aircraft Research Association Ltd is proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer. We recognise the value in an inclusive and diverse workforce and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified people.
If you think you are the person we are looking for, please complete the form below.
