HR Business Partner

Swindon, Reading or Bristol

Salary up to £55,000 depending on skills and experience, plus an excellent benefits package.

This is a full time, fixed term role for 12 months. We are open to flexibility / part time hours (a minimum of 32 hours per week). 

At GWR, we're more than a train company. We're the proud custodians of one of the UK's most iconic rail networks. Every year, we help over 100 million people travel across the South West, South Wales and London, through some of the country's most scenic routes.

With a modern fleet, ambitious plans and a 91% customer satisfaction score, we're on an exciting journey of continuous improvement. Our people are at the heart of that journey, and as an HR Business Partner you'll play a key role in supporting them every step of the way.

The Role

In this role, you will shape the Business Function and organisational agenda by working closely with the functional leadership team and the wider HR function. You will provide strategic HR advice to the business unit leadership team (Heads of) and ensure the unit has the right capability and capacity to deliver its strategy effectively and cost‑efficiently.

The Reward

As well as a great team environment and comprehensive training, all GWR colleagues enjoy a range of benefits including:

• on-going development,
• defined benefit pension scheme with the Railways Pension Scheme,
• free rail travel across the GWR network for you and your family,
• company-sponsored health care plan,
• discounted shopping and gym membership
• employee assistance programme and much more.

Your main responsibilities will be:

• Lead the people agenda for your function, ensuring HR supports delivery of business objectives.
• Partner with Senior Managers to align HR priorities with functional strategy, planning and operations.
• Forecast and plan future HR needs to ensure effective, high‑quality HR service delivery.
• Provide guidance and ensure compliance across key HR areas, including organisational effectiveness, resourcing and learning, reward and employee relations.
• Monitor and improve HR service performance, identifying opportunities to enhance ways of working.
• Oversee organisational structure, headcount and workforce costs to support functional goals.
• Provide feedback to Centres of Excellence and support continuous improvement.
• Lead functional change initiatives and deliver HR projects as required.
• Use data and insights to shape people decisions and support organisational change.
• Benchmark good people management practices to strengthen management capability.
• Coach Senior Managers to enhance leadership, capability and people management skills.
• Ensure performance and appraisal processes are followed and delivered on time.
• Work closely with Employee Relations and Divisional Council representatives to understand and manage casework and engagement.
• Provide support to, and deputise for, other HR Business Partners when needed.

What You'll Need

• CIPD qualified (or working towards it).
• Strong knowledge of HR best practice, legislation and industry trends, with experience delivering generalist HR within a large, complex organisation.
• Ability to build strong relationships and navigate a diverse stakeholder environment.
• Confident influencing senior leaders and shaping the HR agenda.
• Proven experience leading organisational change and working effectively in ambiguity.
• Strong analytical and decision‑making skills, able to interpret data and drive performance.
• Emotionally resilient, with the ability to stay effective in challenging situations.
• Skilled at coaching senior managers and balancing strategic and operational needs.
• Collaborative working style, with a track record of building effective partnerships across HR and the wider business.
• Comfortable being challenged and able to clearly present the rationale for change.
• Strong presentation and IT skills, including Excel, PowerPoint and Word.
• UK Rail sector experience is desirable but not essential.

About the location

This role can be based in Swindon, Reading or Bristol, with travel across the GWR Network.

Additional Information

This is a full time, fixed term role for 12 months. We are open to flexibility/part time hours.

Application

Please apply online via our website https://careers.firstgroup.co.uk/brand-gwr

If you have any problems applying, please email gwrrecruitment@gwr.com

We all belong at GWR. This is our vision for providing an inclusive environment for all our colleagues, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment. 

We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA, ethnicity, religion and disability. We maintain zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent.

We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive.

We review all roles and job descriptions to ensure they are accessible and, where possible, we support and provide flexible working options; we recommend that you refer to each vacancy description for further details.

If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below. We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/neurodiversity/

https://www.healthassured.org/blog/neurodiversity/

INGWR