Senior HR Business Partner

The Apex Group was established in Bermuda in 2003 and is now one of the world’s largest fund administration and middle office solutions providers.

Our business is unique in its ability to reach globally, service locally and provide cross-jurisdictional services. With our clients at the heart of everything we do, our hard-working team has successfully delivered on an unprecedented growth and transformation journey, and we are now represented by over circa 13,000 employees across 112 offices worldwide.Your career with us should reflect your energy and passion.

That’s why, at Apex Group, we will do more than simply ‘empower’ you. We will work to supercharge your unique skills and experience.

Take the lead and we’ll give you the support you need to be at the top of your game. And we offer you the freedom to be a positive disrupter and turn big ideas into bold, industry-changing realities.

For our business, for clients, and for you

Senior HR Business Partner – UK & IoM Reporting Line: Head of HR Business Partnering

Location: London

Employment Type: Initial 6 months fixed-term contract, with the possibility of extension or going permanent.

Ready for your first step into a Senior HR Business Partner role?

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced HR Business Partner who is ready to take their first step into a Senior HRBP role. The role offers broader exposure, increased ownership and the opportunity to work closely with leaders across a fast-moving, evolving global business. This remains a hands-on generalist position, so you will need to be equally comfortable partnering on workforce plans, handling a difficult employee relations matter and taking ownership of essential UK processes such as immigration and SMCR activity.

The Opportunity

This role is designed for an established HR Business Partner who is confident operating independently and is now looking for the exposure and breadth needed to take their first step into a Senior HRBP position. You will work closely with leaders across the UK and Isle of Man, gaining greater visibility and ownership across workforce and organisational planning, engagement, performance, talent, governance and change, while collaborating with global Centres of Excellence, HR Operations and HR Business Partners across other functions and regions to deliver joined-up people solutions that support our region.

The HR team and wider business are continuing to evolve, so this is an opportunity to grow with us while making an immediate contribution. You will be supported in stepping into the senior level, but you must already have strong generalist foundations and be ready to hit the ground running. Employee relations will form a significant part of the role, and you must be comfortable managing complex cases, challenging constructively and holding difficult conversations with confidence and sensitivity. You will also need practical experience of SMCR and UK immigration processes, as these are core local operational responsibilities of the position.

Responsibilities

• Partner with senior leaders on workforce structures, organisational design, resource planning, succession and broader people plans as required.
• Lead and advise on complex and sensitive employee relations matters, including performance, conduct, grievance, absence, TUPE, restructuring and organisational change, managing risk and ensuring fair, consistent outcomes.
• Provide practical guidance on UK and Isle of Man employment law, HR policy, governance and regulatory requirements.
• Support people-related requirements within the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR), working confidently with relevant stakeholders on regulated role processes, governance, documentation and associated people risk.
• Coordinate and support employee immigration and right-to-work processes, working with employees, leaders, external advisers and internal teams to ensure cases progress accurately and within required timescales.
• Coach leaders to strengthen capability, accountability and confidence in managing people matters and leading through change.
• Work with leaders to build engagement, improve retention and translate employee feedback into focused local action plans.
• Support annual people process, including performance reviews, promotions, salary review and discretionary bonus activity.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition, Learning and Development, Reward, Payroll and other specialist teams to deliver joined-up outcomes.
• Support integrations and M&A-related activity, helping new teams and employees’ transition effectively into the business.
• Identify opportunities to simplify, strengthen and continuously improve HR processes, policies, data and ways of working.
• Provide hands-on support to HR Operations across the employee lifecycle. This is a true generalist role, and no two days will look the same.

What will help you succeed

• Strong generalist HR experience, with the confidence and judgement to operate as a credible partner to business leaders and first-time managers.
• Demonstrable experience of personally managing complex employee relations cases from early advice through to resolution.
• Working knowledge of SMCR and the implications of operating within a regulated financial services environment.
• Practical experience of employee immigration, sponsorship and right-to-work processes, including effective coordination with specialist advisers.
• Up-to-date knowledge of UK employment law. Knowledge of Isle of Man employment practice would be helpful but can be developed.
• Experience supporting organisational change, restructures, workforce planning or organisational design.
• A pragmatic, solutions-focused approach, with the ability to balance commercial needs, employee experience, legal requirements and risk.
• Comfort operating in a fast-paced and evolving environment, managing competing priorities and moving between strategic and operational work.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, strong organisation and attention to detail.
• CIPD qualification, or equivalent professional experience.
• Financial services experience is strongly preferred; however, we welcome candidates with broad HR experience across multiple industries who can demonstrate strong, transferable skills relevant to the role.

Who this role could suit

This opportunity is specifically aimed at an experienced HR Business Partner who is ready for their first move into a Senior HRBP role. You do not need to have held the Senior HRBP title previously, but you should already be operating with autonomy, managing complex employee relations work, having difficult conversations and building credible relationships with leaders. In return, the role offers the exposure, visibility and breadth needed to develop at senior level within an evolving team and business.

What you will gain

• Broad exposure across the full HR agenda in a substantial global organisation.
• Direct partnership with senior leaders and involvement in meaningful workforce and organisational decisions.
• The opportunity to deepen your experience in regulated financial services, SMCR, immigration, complex ER and change.
• A visible role within an evolving team and region, where you can shape better ways of working and make a practical impact.
• A competitive remuneration and benefits package.

Disclaimer: Unsolicited CVs sent to Apex (Talent Acquisition Team or Hiring Managers) by recruitment agencies will not be accepted for this position. Apex operates a direct sourcing model and where agency assistance is required, the Talent Acquisition team will engage directly with our exclusive recruitment partners.