Lead HR Business Partner

Job details

Posted Wednesday 05 August 2026
Location Bristol
Job type Permanent
Reference 1965
Recruiter Name Briony Jenkins

We're working with a highly regarded professional services organisation seeking an experienced Lead HR Business Partner to join its People team.

This is a senior, visible role supporting business leaders on a broad range of strategic and operational people matters. The successful candidate will act as a trusted adviser, helping to drive business performance through effective people leadership while providing support and challenge to senior stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

  • Partner with senior leaders to deliver people solutions that support business objectives
  • Provide expert advice on employee relations, performance management, reward and talent development
  • Lead discussions around succession planning, workforce planning and leadership capability
  • Support organisational change initiatives, restructures and business growth projects
  • Coach and influence stakeholders on complex people matters, risk management and employment law
  • Use people data and insights to inform decision-making and identify trends
  • Lead, mentor and develop members of the HR team
  • Act as a senior escalation point for complex employee relations cases
  • Contribute to the development and delivery of the wider people strategy
  • Build strong relationships across the business and establish credibility with senior stakeholders

Person Specification

  • Proven experience operating as a senior HR Business Partner within a professional services, legal, accountancy, consultancy or partnership-led environment
  • Strong track record of building trusted relationships with senior leaders and partners
  • Previous experience managing, coaching or mentoring HR colleagues
  • Sound knowledge of UK employment law and employee relations
  • Experience supporting organisational change, transformation and restructuring activity
  • Commercially minded with the confidence to influence and challenge constructively
  • Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
  • Data-driven approach to problem solving and decision-making
  • Resilient, pragmatic and able to balance operational demands with strategic priorities

What's on Offer

  • Opportunity to join a well-established and successful professional services business
  • High-profile role with significant stakeholder exposure
  • Broad remit covering both strategic and operational HR
  • Supportive, collaborative culture
  • Flexible and hybrid working arrangements

If you're an experienced HR Business Partner looking for a role with genuine influence and the opportunity to shape people strategy at a senior level, we'd be keen to hear from you.

 

Equal Opportunities

As a responsible business, it is important that we represent the diversity of our people, our clients and our communities. We believe that the firms that thrive are those with the most diverse team; that's why we work so hard to source the best talent from the broadest pool possible. As an equal opportunities employer we strive to accommodate anyone who may have specific needs. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the selection process, please talk to a member of the recruitment team so that any required adjustments can be made in advance.