HR Business Partner

Location/s: Brighton, Croydon, Glasgow, Altrincham; UK
Recruiter contact: Alice Roostan

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices. 

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual. 

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee-owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant.

About the business unit

The Energy unit delivers services to clients globally across several sectors including hydropower, nuclear, waste, renewable generation and transmission & distribution networks. Together we provide integrated engineering, advisory and technical project management services across the project lifecycle – from concept and design to construction and operations, to decommissioning or repowering and life extension. Together with our clients, we’re helping to deliver the energy transition globally.

About the division

HR business partners work for the unit driving strategy and development into its divisions by having specific but changeable divisional focus areas. The Energy, Thermal and Renewables (ETR) Division is responsible for providing technical, environmental and management consulting services in relation to hydropower, thermal, wind and solar technologies, helping to deliver the energy transition globally. ETR is a multidisciplinary Division supporting our global clients across all the phases of their projects, from early development towards operations. The ETR Division blends skills from a team of electrical, mechanical, civil, environmental, social, carbon specialists and project managers.

Overview of the role

Do you want to work for a company whose purpose is to improve society by considering social outcomes, and to transform businesses, communities, and opportunities for its employees? Mott MacDonald is a global consultancy whose people do exactly that.

With international engagement and collaboration at the heart of our approach, we bring together people, knowledge and experience from across our global network to help clients deliver sustainable energy solutions. This approach aligns with the HR Business Partner mindset needed to support the Energy unit. We are looking for someone who is comfortable and experienced in operating in a global environment, partnering with leaders and teams across multiple geographical locations, and bringing experience of supporting internationally diverse workforces, including exposure to markets such as Italy, Germany, Spain and Serbia.

Key responsibilities and duties include:

• Stakeholder management
  • Take a HR Business Partner approach working closely and collaboratively with the functions and main stakeholders including the Executive team
  • Build strong and sustainable relationships using effective communication skills and providing professional advice, being visible and accessible and remaining delivery focussed
  • Embed and develop strategic actions and initiatives through positive and pragmatic engagement
• Advisory and operational activities
  • Taking a proactive approach to identifying employee related issues such as performance management, providing early and business relevant interventions
  • Assume responsibility for the management of ER cases providing advice, coaching and guidance to managers and employees on relevant policies, procedures, legislation and risk
  • Advise and support managers through change management processes including reorganisation, accelerated growth, restructuring, redundancy, redeployment and consultation

Advise and support managers and employees on absence and ‘family friendly’ issues (flexible working requests, maternity, paternity, parental leave, time off work for dependents) and special leave in line with Company policy and legislation

Provide advice and guidance on secondments, transfers and relocations; ensuring a consistent and pragmatic approach liaising with relevant internal and external stakeholders to ensure a streamlined process

Support managers with cyclical reward and development processes such as salary reviews

Aid and develop EDI, learning and development and Health, safety, security and wellbeing initiatives

Compliance

• Comply with Data Protection and General Data Protections Regulations (GDPR) and ensure the security of employee information in accordance with legislation and best practice
• Respond to Compliance matters in line with HR procedures and ensure that all operational aspects of compliance reporting are addressed
• Uphold and role model behaviours in line with Our Code and PRIDE values

Strategic HR

• Drive talent and succession management and support associated resource and people management
• Drive the Unit EDI action plan within divisions to embed best practice
• Contribute to the HR business plan and drive initiatives by leading on key projects such as absence management, talent management, employee engagement
• Coach and support managers with the development of their people and business area
• Work with the business to identify and review key performance indicators aiding improvements and delivering efficiencies to best meet professional and business requirements

Candidate specification

Essential:

• Chartered MCIPD (or equivalent)
• Previous experience in a similar HR role, including working in a global market
• Experienced and confident in managing, end to end, complex ER casework

Demonstrable leadership skills in business acumen, commercial awareness, emotional intelligence, and influencing at a senior level

Experience of supporting talent management, succession planning and reward management programmes, challenging senior stakeholders where appropriate

Resilient nature and confidence to provide challenge to, and accept challenge from, senior stakeholders

Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to quickly build effective, collaborative relationships with HR and other colleagues across the business

Able to quickly learn, absorb and retain information and understand the business environment

Sound knowledge and practical application of current employment law, especially UK procedures and processes

Flexible approach to work and able to travel to other offices/sites

Desirable:

• Post qualification generalist experience in the private sector preferably in a consulting, professional services or construction/engineering environment
• Excellent organisation and prioritisation skills with the flexibility to adapt to changing priorities
• Ability to meet the needs of the team and the business in a pragmatic and professional manner
• Excellent analytical and numeracy skills with the ability to analyse and interpret complex data and information
• Excellent IT skills - proficiency in Microsoft Office packages and HR databases
• Ability to work as part of a team plus independently, as appropriate
• Drives continuous improvement of HR processes and practices, ensuring alignment with functional objectives and organisational needs
• Knowledge and practical application of employment law and practices in any of Italy, Germany, Spain or Serbia

If you meet 80% or more of what we’re looking for, please still apply. We understand not everyone will meet all the requirements, but you might have skills we didn’t know we need.

The closing date for applications for this role is midnight on Wednesday 19th August. Please note, if we receive a high volume of applicants before this date, the role may be closed early.

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

Agile working  

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well-being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion 

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

AI Usage

At Mott MacDonald, we see the value AI can bring, but we take a people-first approach to hiring. While AI tools can help candidates prepare and build confidence, every application and hiring decision is reviewed by our recruitment and hiring teams. We encourage the responsible use of AI while ensuring we get to know the real person behind the application.

Accessibility

We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com

and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

Financial wellbeing

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Employee Ownership

• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long-term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Lifestyle

• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• 10 days additional paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.

 Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.
• We offer policies and dedicated support to help military families balance service life with career and wellbeing.

Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self-development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and Gold Award holders in the MOD Employer Recognition Scheme, supported by our dedicated internal Armed Forces Network.
• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes

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Apply now, or for more information about our application process, click here.