Head of HR Business Partnering

Named in honour of Alan Turing, the Institute is a place for inspiring, exciting work and we need passionate, sharp, and innovative people who want to use their skills to contribute to our mission to make great leaps in data science and AI research to change the world for the better.

Please find more information about us here.

Position

Join us as we define a new era for The Alan Turing Institute. With renewed energy and focus, we will pursue our purpose to make great leaps in data science and AI in order to change the world for the better.

We have three ambitious interconnected goals:

• Advance world-class research and apply it to national and global challenges.
• Build skills for the future.
• Drive an informed public conversation.

We will take a grand challenge-led approach to science and innovation, harnessing the power of data science and AI to make lasting impact on the following three of the world’s most pressing societal issues:

1. Environment and sustainability - to address the climate and biodiversity crisis and the need for greater sustainability.
2. Defence and national security - to protect the UK, its people and the places they inhabit.
3. Transformation of health - to transform health and enable better outcomes for all.

Our Grand Challenges provide a common focus, mandate to prioritise and inspiration for diverse communities and capabilities to come together. They are underpinned by our work on fundamental data science and AI research and supported by our Core Capabilities and Emerging Priorities. Beneath each Grand Challenge, Missions constitute targeted problems which require portfolios of activity to be achieved.

We are now looking for a commercial, ambitious and inspirational Head of HR Business Partnering (HRBP) to drive forward the people aspects and initiatives required for the organisation to achieve its Grand Challenges targets.

ROLE PURPOSE

We now seek to recruit a Head of HR Business Partnering who will report directly to the Director of People.

The Head of HR Business Partnering plays a pivotal role in driving the strategic alignment of human resources with the objective of achieving successful delivery of Turing’s ambitious Science and Innovation strategy. This role involves overseeing the HR Business Partnering function, ensuring that HR policies and practices effectively support organisational goals. Key responsibilities include leading the Business Partnering team (currently 2 HR Business Partners and 1 HR Policy Advisor), providing expert guidance on employee relations, reward, policies and talent management. The Head of HR Business Partnering supports senior leaders with people processes, manages the people aspects of change and drives performance excellence across the organisation.

The Head of HR Business Partnering will possess strong project management skills and will balance multiple priorities while making data-driven decisions informed by HR metrics. With exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, the Head of HRBP will foster a positive and inclusive workplace culture, effectively support organisational change initiatives, and exhibit high levels of integrity and ethical judgment. Strong business acumen, coupled with a strategic and proactive approach, enables them to advise executive leadership on HR matters and manage departmental budgets and forecasts efficiently. Additionally, they bring a wealth of experience in conflict resolution, employee engagement, talent management, and performance management, all grounded in a thorough understanding of HR theories and employment law.

DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Translate the Science and Innovation strategic objectives into actionable people strategies, with clear, ambitious measurable goals and targets
• Oversee the execution of the HR partnering function, ensuring objectives and targets are met
• Build a high-performance collaborative HR partnering team, fostering innovation that translates into added value and a” can do” approach to partner with managers to address their people challenges
• Lead, coach and mentor HR Business Partners to align with organisational goals
• Coach the management team to ensure best practice people processes are embedded throughout the organisation
• Work collaboratively with the other departmental HR Heads to develop and implement people strategies to support business objectives
• Conduct regular meetings with senior management using data analytics to inform HR initiatives and projects Is propositional and proactive in suggesting solutions to HR challenges
• Analyse HR metrics to inform workforce planning and decision-making

Requirements

• CIPD or Senior level HRBP experience qualified by practice
• Able to influence senior management and implement HR solutions to address their people challenges
• Strong and proactive performance management abilities
• Business and commercial awareness
• Able to support the transition of the HR function to a full business partner model, ensuring HR Business Partners are embedded within the strategic decision-making processes of the departments they are aligned with
• Able to demonstrate policy and procedure creation and manage the senior team to ensure compliance
• Outstanding verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills

Please see the job description for a full breakdown of the role and person specification.

Other information

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

If you are interested in this opportunity, please click the apply button below. You will need to register on the applicant portal and complete the application form including your CV and covering letter. If you have questions about the role or would like to apply using a different format, please contact us on 020 3862 3536 or email [email removed - click apply for more details].

If you are an internal applicant and wish to apply, please send your CV and Cover Letter directly to [email removed - click apply for more details]and your application will be considered.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: THURSDAY 11 DECEMBER 2025 AT 23:59 (LONDON, UK, GMT)

Interviews for this role will be held in January 2026.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This full-time post is offered on a permanent basis. The annual salary is £80,000-£85,000 plus excellent benefits, including flexible working and family friendly policies, Employee-only benefits guide | The Alan Turing Institute

The Alan Turing Institute is based at the British Library, in the heart of London’s Knowledge Quarter. We expect staff to come to our office at least 4 days per month. Some roles may require more days in the office; the hiring manager will be able to confirm this during the interview.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

The Alan Turing Institute is committed to creating an environment where diversity is valued and everyone is treated fairly. In accordance with the Equality Act, we welcome applications from anyone who meets the specific criteria of the post regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. 

We are committed to making sure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive. This includes making reasonable adjustments for candidates who have a disability or long-term condition. Please contact us at [email removed - click apply for more details] to find out how we can assist you.

Please note all offers of employment are subject to obtaining and retaining the right to work in the UK and satisfactory pre-employment security screening which includes a DBS Check.

Full details on the pre-employment screening process can be requested from [email removed - click apply for more details].