Human Resources Business Partner

Job description
HR Business Partner x 2

National Oceanography Centre, Southampton or Liverpool

Permanent

Full time (37 hours per week)

£43,703 - £47,941

Who are we?

We are the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) - the UK’s leading institution for integrated coastal and deep ocean research. Through our ground-breaking research, collaboration, and game-changing innovation we work to gain a deeper understanding of our ocean, helping every living thing on our planet flourish.

We are made up of a dynamic and vibrant community focused on solving challenging long-term marine science problems, underpinning international and UK public policy, business and societal outcomes.

The ocean has the potential to provide the solutions to so many of the social, economic and environmental challenges we face worldwide. To truly harness the value of the ocean, we put ocean research, science and discovery at the heart of our culture.

Join us in shaping the future of oceanographic research and contribute your unique perspective to our organisation.

About the role

Our People and Skills team is passionate about business partnering in its truest sense, working collaboratively to drive meaningful change and support organisational success. Reporting to the Senior HR Business Partner, you will play a key role in shaping and sustaining a vibrant, healthy and high performing organisational culture, ensuring the consistent delivery of people solutions by providing dedicated support to designated business areas.

These are varied and rewarding roles, where you’ll operate at both a strategic and operational level. Your responsibilities will include performance management, leadership development, workforce planning and supporting people engagement initiatives. You’ll be expected to build trusted relationships with key stakeholders across the organisation, offering expert advice and guidance on a wide range of people-related matters.

About you

You’ll be an experienced HR professional with a proven track record of driving and embedding people initiatives that deliver real organisational impact. Confident and credible, you’ll have the ability to quickly build strong relationships and provide expert advice across the full spectrum of HR activities. This will include organisational development, workforce planning, talent management, organisational health, and day-to-day HR operations.

You’ll hold a CIPD Level 5 qualification (or have equivalent significant experience) and be comfortable working in a complex and evolving environment. Experience within a science, research, technology or marine setting would be an advantage, but most important is your ability to think strategically, act pragmatically, and bring a collaborative, solution-focused mindset to everything you do.

Why NOC?

We offer a generous set of benefits, including:

- 30 days contractual annual leave, plus 3.5 extra closure days and bank holidays

- a 10% employer contribution pension scheme

- access to our Employee Assistance Programme, offering free and anonymous support on mental, physical, emotional, health and financial issues

- access to a flexible benefits portal offering online discounts, cashback and eGift cards

- a Cycle2Work scheme allowing employees to acquire bikes and accessories

- a great working environment with a number of social events, including summer and Christmas celebrations

- we are proud to be a Living Wage Employer

Location

These positions can be based in Southampton or Liverpool. Our Southampton site is well connected by public transport and has ample cycle parking in addition to free onsite car-parking with over 40 EV charging points. The Liverpool centre is part of the University campus and is only a short walk from the city centre and Lime Street station.

We have a hybrid working approach where for most positions staff can work from home up to 2 days per week. If you are interested in this position, but require a more flexible working arrangement, please contact the recruitment team using the contact details below.

We may be able to offer financial support for applicants who will need to relocate for this position.

Submitting an application

Please click ‘Apply for this job’ and submit an up-to-date CV and cover letter. If you are unable to apply online, please contact the NOC recruitment team at careers@noc.ac.uk / 07355 676794.

Before submitting your application please ensure you have reviewed the attached job description and person specification.

We are committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We actively encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply for this position, as we strive to create a supportive and equitable environment where all voices are valued and heard.

Those seeking employment at NOC are considered solely on their qualifications, skills and experience, without regard to gender, gender identity, age, race, religion, disability, sex, ****** orientation, relationship status, family status (including pregnancy / maternity leave) or any other protected characteristic.

There is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates who meet the minimum criteria of the position and declare a disability. NOC is an Investors in People organisation.

Date advert posted: 24 July 2025.

Closing date: 22 August 2025. This vacancy may close earlier depending on the number of applicants.

Please note we are not accepting applications via recruitment agencies for this position.

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