Human Resources Business Partner - 6 month Secondment

Location

Reading, GB

Department Name

EF HR Head of HR Western (109010) G5

About Network Rail

At Network Rail, we’re part of a large family serving millions of passengers and freight users throughout the UK every day. Our service impacts millions of people and we strive to become more efficient as we enhance, maintain, and operate our network.

Our passengers and freight users are at the heart of everything we do. We help connect people to their friends and families and get goods to their destination safely and efficiently. We’re an organisation where people matter. When you're part of our team, you matter to us, and you matter to millions. Watch our video to find out more!

The Wales & Western region includes more than 2,700 miles of railway and we serve communities and businesses of Wales, the Thames Valley, West of England, and the Southwest Peninsula.

Our ambition to be responsive to passengers and freight users drives us every day and we're empowered to do the right thing for those who use the rail network. We actively challenge unsafe practices and take responsibility for addressing risks, resolving issues, and protecting safety and wellbeing.

About our people and the recruitment process

- We’re an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone!

As a Network Rail employee, you will enjoy a wide range of benefits!

• Privileged staff travel - Leisure travel discount of 75% on all leisure travel and includes family members.
• A subsidy of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets if you travel to work on the train.
• GWR ticket alliance – Heavily discounted all day passes for you and up to 3 friends and family to use across the GWR network (20 passes per year)
• Benefits package including healthcare offers, a cycle to work scheme, discounted healthcare club membership, and a discounted offers and benefits including childcare, healthcare and online shopping site.
• A range of Pension schemes to choose from
• 5 days paid volunteering leave.
• 2 weeks paid reserve leave for the Armed Forces community.
• In Wales and Western region, you will have the opportunity to join PROUD, our reward and recognition scheme where you can say thanks and recognise colleagues across the region who have demonstrated outstanding values and behaviours.
  
  
  

To find out more about the benefits at Network Rail, click here .

We want to help deliver a railway which is safe, reliable, affordable and that provides great customer service to everyone . For more information about Network Rail click here

Brief Description

To work with the supported business leadership team, under the direction of the Head/Senior HR Business Partner to deliver the business aligned People Plan/HR strategy and provide coaching and support to members of the supported leadership team.

Provides pro-active, value add HR support to the supported business leaders across the function/route on medium term and operational people issues.

You will work closely with our frontline teams, supporting with talent and succession planning, employee engagement programmes, the delivery of HR training, organisational change and initiatives to improve equity, diversity and inclusion.

As well as supporting the business and teams who operate and maintain the railway, it is an exciting time for this role which will also play an important part in helping integrate our western route with our local train operating company, Great Western Railways, in readiness for the launch of Great British Railways.

About The Role (External)

Key Accountabilities:

• Working closely with the supported business, to implement and deliver the HR Strategy/People Plan to include; talent, succession planning and change management, in order to support the delivery of business objectives and drive a high performance culture.

Essential

• Demonstrates strong business/commercial approach and understanding of business needs.
• Proven experience of working in partnership and building strong working relationships with senior managers in order to improve people management.
• Passionate about customer service with ability to articulate previous achievements through business deliverables.
• Knowledge and experience of implementing best practice HR solutions to drive a high performance culture.
• Experience of coaching and influencing senior managers.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to negotiate and influence effectively with all levels of an organisation.
• Understands how to work with the business to identify, develop and retain talent.
• Excellent technical HR Knowledge - CIPD qualified or relevant experience to demonstrate level of competence.
• Proven track record of operating in a complex working environment.
• Involvement in organisation change programmes e.g. TUPE, Organisation re-design,redundancy programmes, etc
• Graduate calibre
  
  
  

Desired

• MCIPD/post-graduate human resources qualification.

Understanding of project management principles and experience of managing complex projects to successful conclusion.

Experience of managing projects to successful conclusion.

Experience of working within a unionised environment.

Key Leadership Capabilities

• Influencing others
• Creating solutions
• Understanding others
• Making things happen
• Thinking flexibly
• Customer focus
  
  
  

How To Apply (External)

Salary: £43,588 - £51,719 per annum.

Please note this is a 6 month fixed term contract opportunity

Closing date: 10th February 2026

Please get your application in as soon as possible, we may close the advert before the listed closing date if we receive enough applications.Late applications will not be accepted.

Click ‘apply now’ to apply.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status. Click here for more information.

Diversity and inclusion are more than just buzz words for us. We’re constantly striving to make sure we provide a welcoming and safe environment for everyone.We recognise that certain groups are under-represented within our team and we’re working closely with our regional d

iversity and inclusion networks to make sure we support these groups as best as we can.

Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader and we’ll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles. You can visit Evenbreak’s Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you’re unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please include within your application.

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information

Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do. Safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail.You should demonstrate your personal dedication to safety on your application.