People Business Partner

Company Description

The UK Government has established UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) Ltd., a subsidiary of UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), to lead the charge in delivering fusion energy through design and delivery of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) protype fusion plant. UKFE is establishing itself, setting up the company, attracting talent, engaging with industry, developing a supply chain, and planning and constructing of the STEP prototype.

Fusion energy, crucial for combating climate change and ensuring energy independence, is expected to be commercially viable by mid-century. The UK, led by UKFE, aims for a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040. UK Fusion Energy Ltd. will lead delivery, collaborating with industrial partners and building a fusion supply chain with an estimated global sector value of £7tn per year. Join UKFE and the STEP programme to be involved in this ground-breaking journey.

Onsite working is expected for 3 days each week, however, we actively support requests for Flexible Working.

A full list of our benefits can be found here Employee Benefits

For more information on UKFE, visit: UKFE Candidate Recruitment Pack

As an employee of UKFE, you will benefit from:

• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme, details of which can be found at the end of this advert.
• Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and a Relocation allowance (if eligible).
• Flexible working options including family friendly policies and the right to request flexible working from the start of your employment.
• Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders,
• Generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays
• Wide range of career development opportunities
• A vibrant culture committed to being fully inclusive

The salary for this role is £64,115 + excellent benefits including outstanding pension.

The closing date to apply for this position is the 13th Oct 2026.

This UKFE vacancy will be based at West Burton, Nottinghamshire.

Job Description

As HR People Advisor, you will work closely with the Head of People to develop and deliver the People Plan for the UKIFS, supporting the continued growth of the business, driving the people agenda, and supporting matrixed employees into a large UKIFS programmes.

You will be responsible for building and delivering people projects that will support the success of the UKIFS business plans, including a broad range of people related projects such as; change management, organisational design, EDI initiatives, talent management, early careers and building leadership capability. You will work with managers, ensuring they are competent and consistent in leading their teams, applying the performance management processes set out in the People policies and procedures.

In addition, you will be responsible for collaborating with specialists in the People Department to build people management capability, talent management initiatives, succession planning, developing content to upskill managers, and overseeing people projects. You will be in volved in the operational day-to-day people activities within UKIFS, supporting the People Team with the employee relations caseload, leading people processes including performance management, capability building, onboarding and exit management, supporting recruitment activities, and query handling on people processes and policies in conjunction with the various parts of the People function.

Key Responsibilities:

People Planning & Strategy

• Develop and implement the annual People Plan aligned with UKIFS’s goals and objectives.
• Benchmark and research best practices to improve performance management, talent acquisition, onboarding, and career development.
• Collaborate with the wider People Team to deliver innovative and effective HR projects.

Employee Relations & Policy Development

• Manage informal employee relations cases, coaching managers and employees to achieve resolutions.
• Provide expert advice on employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, and absence cases.
• Develop and update HR policies and procedures to reflect best practices and compliance requirements.

Talent & Leadership Development

• Support the implementation of talent management initiatives, including career frameworks, succession planning, and performance reviews.
• Partner with managers to build leadership capability and improve team performance.
• Collaborate with the Skills Manager to develop early careers programmes, technical competencies, and career pathways.

Employee Engagement & Wellbeing

• Lead engagement and wellbeing surveys, analysing results and implementing action plans.
• Develop programmes that support employee wellbeing, fostering a motivated and engaged workforce.
• Facilitate focus groups and think tanks to gather feedback and drive improvement.

Operational HR Excellence

• Manage day-to-day HR operations, including onboarding, query resolution, and performance management.
• Provide data-driven insights, preparing and presenting HR reports and analytics.
• Ensure compliance with employment law, data protection regulations, and organisational policies.

Please note that we have multiple vacancies and are seeking a partner with proven EDI experience

Qualifications

We’re looking for a proactive and skilled HR professional with a proven track record in supporting business success through effective HR strategies.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Degree in HRM or equivalent qualification/demonstratable experience
• CIPD Level 5 or higher desirable.
• Demonstrated experience as an HR Advisor or Junior HRBP.
• Significant experience managing employee relations cases, including disciplinary, grievance, and absence management.
• Experience developing and implementing policies and procedures.
• Experience of HR Projects from inception to implementation of new initiatives.
• Proficiency in HR analytics, with the ability to collate, analyse, and present data effectively.
• Strong understanding of current UK employment law and best practices including GDPR.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong organisational and time management abilities, with the capacity to manage multiple priorities.
• Recruitment & selection
• Pay & Reward

Desirable Skills & Experience:

• Experience in the civil service or a highly regulated environment.
• Proficiency in project management tools and techniques.
• HAY job evaluation training or experience in career architecture.

Additional Information

We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly women in STEM and individuals from British black and ethnic minority backgrounds, and individuals with disabilities. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, actively promotes EDI and takes steps to increase diversity within our organisation. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.
UKFE is committed to being accessible. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions or require help or adjustments to compete on a fair basis, for example, changes to the way we interview or share information.
This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions. Whilst not required at this time, there is a possibility of an SC Clearance being required in the future. If a candidate already holds an SC clearance, that clearance can be transferred to UKFE.

As we work towards our mission and goals, guided by our principles, STEP has six behaviours that are intended to capture the spirit of how we work:

• We champion safety
• We all matter
• We act as one
• We embrace change
• We are pioneering
• We deliver

For applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom or those who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years, please visit the following link for information on criminal records checks: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants If your country of residence or previous residence is not listed on the website or if the UK Government does not have information on obtaining a criminal records check from that state, we regret to inform you that we cannot process your application.