Strategic Business Partner

Shape the future of people strategy at Railpen.

As we evolve our People function to support Railpen's future ambitions, we're looking for an experienced Strategic Business Partner to join our People Business Partnering team.

This is a permanent role, primarily London-based, working on a hybrid basis, although we will also consider candidates based in Darlington for the right individual. You'll have the opportunity to influence people strategy at the highest levels of the organisation, partnering with Executive Committee members, senior leaders and key stakeholders to shape organisational capability, drive people-focused change and support the successful delivery of our business objectives.

Railpen is responsible for the safekeeping and investment of around £36 billion in assets and the administration of several pension schemes, including the Railways Pension Scheme, one of the UK's largest and longest established pension funds.

Our heritage of looking after the pension needs of the rail industry and its employees gives us our name and our unique outlook on how we serve our members. Railpen takes a holistic view, focusing on how we serve members today and how we can positively impact the communities and the world they will retire into.

To learn more about Railpen including our values, culture and purpose, visit our LinkedIn Life page here.   

This role will particularly suit experienced People Business Partners looking to operate at a strategic level, influencing organisational direction and partnering with senior leaders to deliver meaningful business outcomes.

As a trusted adviser to Executive and senior leadership teams, you'll use your understanding of people strategy, workforce planning, organisational effectiveness and change management to help shape the future of Railpen. Working closely with People colleagues and Centres of Expertise, you'll ensure our people priorities remain aligned to the evolving needs of the business.

• Partnering with Executive Committee members, senior leaders and leadership teams to develop and deliver people strategies aligned to business objectives.

• Providing coaching, challenge and support to senior stakeholders on organisational, leadership and people matters.

• Leading workforce planning and organisational change initiatives to ensure Railpen has the capability required to meet its future ambitions.

• Driving the delivery of strategic people plans and translating long-term objectives into actionable outcomes.

• Using data, insight and external market trends to influence decision-making and improve organisational effectiveness.

• Identifying risks, opportunities and performance challenges, recommending practical and commercially sound solutions.

• Building strong relationships across the organisation to influence outcomes and drive accountability.

• Supporting and developing People Business Partners, helping to build capability and consistency across the team.

• Supporting the successful delivery of the annual people cycle, including performance, talent and succession activities.

• Working with trade unions and employee representatives to support positive employee relations and organisational change.

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.

We're looking for a highly experienced People professional with a strong track record of strategic business partnering, organisational influence and leadership support within complex organisations.

You'll be comfortable operating at senior levels, building credibility with Executive and senior leadership teams, and providing constructive challenge that delivers positive business outcomes. You'll bring a combination of strategic thinking, commercial awareness and strong employee relations expertise, enabling you to navigate complexity and support organisational transformation with confidence.

• CIPD qualified (essential).

• Significant People Business Partnering experience, typically gained over 7+ years in senior HR or People partnering roles.

• Experience working closely with Executive Committees, senior leadership teams and complex stakeholder groups.

• Experience working with trade unions and employee representatives, with the confidence to navigate complex employee relations matters.

• A proven track record of developing and delivering people strategies that support business objectives.

• Experience leading or supporting large-scale organisational change and transformation programmes.

• Experience operating within a regulated or highly governed environment, with the ability to balance organisational, regulatory and colleague considerations.

• Strong workforce planning, organisational development and talent management experience.

• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence, coach and constructively challenge senior leaders.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate insight into meaningful action.

• Commercial awareness and the ability to balance people priorities with organisational objectives.

• Exceptional communication skills and the ability to build trusted relationships at all levels.

Our values of integrity, community and alignment are the guiding principles that influence our behaviour. They help us make decisions and shape our relationships with others. They’re what we stand for. You will actively demonstrate our values, helping to create a safe environment, to place the needs of the community above oneself and, through a culture of ‘fair challenge’, align to the best interests of our members. 

• A competitive salary (depending on experience)

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays

• Generous annual bonus plan

• We provide membership of the Railways Pension Scheme, a Defined Benefit arrangement under which you get a pension for life and a lump sum when you retire, based on your length of service and pay

•  4x Life Assurance cover

• Private Medical Insurance

• Employee assistance programme

• Health cash plan

• Eye care vouchers

• Flu vaccination

• We support hybrid and flexible working along with very generous family leave including 12 months full pay maternity leave and 6 months full pay paternity leave

• Buy and sell holidays

• Give as you earn scheme

• Paid volunteering days

• Flexible half days leave

• Electric vehicle leasing

• Cycle to work scheme

Please apply via the apply button or visit Careers by 5pm on Tuesday 18th August 2026.

Railpen is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment, we value diversity and welcome people from all backgrounds and walks of life.