HR Business Partner Interim

HR Business Partner

Day Rate: up to £370 (Inside IR35)

Start Date: March 2026

Duration: 6-12 months

Location: Central London (3 days in the office, 2 days from home)

Cedar are seeking an experienced HR Business Partner to join a 6-12 month interim assignment as part of a wider HR transformation programme within a complex environment.

This role has a strong Industrial Relations (IR) focus. You will play a pivotal role in strengthening union engagement, supporting organisational change and embedding a more strategic, consistent people approach as the HR function evolves.

You will work closely with senior leaders and trade union representatives, providing credible, commercially balanced advice that supports business priorities while maintaining constructive employee relations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead on Industrial Relations strategy and union engagement activity.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with trade unions and employee representatives.
• Support and lead collective consultations, restructures and workforce transitions.
• Manage complex employee relations matters, ensuring fair and legally compliant outcomes.
• Provide expert advice on UK employment legislation within a unionised context.
• Contribute to the HR transformation programme by embedding improved processes, governance and ways of working.
• Use workforce data and insight to identify risks and inform proactive interventions.
• Champion fairness, inclusion and consistent application of policy.

About You

• Significant experience as a senior HR Business Partner in a highly unionised environment.
• Strong Industrial Relations expertise, including negotiation and collective consultation.
• Experience supporting organisational change and transformation initiatives.
• In-depth knowledge of UK employment legislation.
• Credible, resilient and confident influencing senior stakeholders.
• Pragmatic, solutions-focused and able to deliver impact at pace.