Strategic People Business Partner - SGN : Job Details

Strategic People Business Partner

Flexible across Southeast England | Personal Contract

Competitive pension scheme - Enhanced maternity/paternity pay - Life assurance - HolidayPlus - Cycle2work Scheme & more

REQ4915

We are looking for….

We seek a Strategic People Partner (SPP) to drive performance, engagement, and organisational effectiveness. The SPP will guide people strategy, employee relations, and talent management, building strong relationships to support business goals.

The role also involves supporting HR improvements and shaping the future direction of the People team during its transformation.

We deliver safety, warmth, and comfort to homes and businesses. Every role, whether in the office or on the front line, plays a key part in this mission. Here’s how you will contribute…

Strategic Partnership:

• Advise senior leaders on workforce planning, talent management, and employee engagement.
• Integrate with management teams to align People strategies with business goals.
• Use HR data to inform decisions and improve performance.

Talent Management & Succession Planning:

• Lead initiatives to identify, develop, and retain talent.
• Support succession planning and leadership development.
• Promote diversity, equity, and employer branding.

Employee Relations:

• Oversee complex employee relations cases and coach managers.
• Develop proactive employee relations strategies.

Organisational Change & Restructuring:

• Lead restructuring and change initiatives.
• Advise on organisational design and workforce transitions.

People Projects & Process Improvement:

• Drive HR process improvements and system updates.
• Lead People projects like leadership development and employee engagement.

What you’ll need

• Experience in senior generalist HR roles (e.g., HR Business Partner, Senior HR Advisor).
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and develop managers’ leadership capabilities.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, employee relations, and HR best practices.
• Expertise in talent management, succession planning, and leadership development.
• Experience in managing organisational change, including restructuring and workforce planning (ideally in unionised settings).
• Background in HR process improvements and streamlining workflows.
• Deep understanding of generalist operational HR issues.
• Commercially aware and highly numerate, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Resilient and adaptable to shifting priorities and ambiguity.

Preferred Qualifications:

• CIPD Level 7 (or equivalent experience).

Other:

• Willing to travel and occasionally stay overnight.
• We seek a proactive, solutions-focused individual passionate about driving change and improving the employee experience.

Not sure you meet every requirement?

Research shows some people - particularly women and those from underrepresented backgrounds - may hesitate to apply unless they meet every criteria. At SGN, we value diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

If this role interests you but you’re not sure you tick every box, we’d still love to hear from you. You might be just who we’re looking for - now or in the future.

Why SGN?

SGN is a leader in pioneering research and development toward a net-zero energy system. Our cutting-edge technologies and innovative thinking are driving change in the gas industry, all while keeping people safe and warm.