People Business Partner (12 month maternity cover)

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced People Business Partner to join our People Business Partnering team on a 12-month maternity cover contract basis. Likely start early to mid-August 2026

Our People Business Partners play a crucial role in supporting both the business and its people. With an eye toward enabling their stakeholder groups to achieve their objectives, their primary focus is on assisting line managers and front-line colleagues by making sure they have the guidance and resources to succeed. In addition to providing this direct support, they also lead business area-specific HR initiatives, such as overseeing workforce planning exercises and execution of changes programs. 

Our People Business Partners are dedicated to serving as trusted advisors, helping to execute plans and activate talent frameworks/initiatives tailored to the unique needs of the business areas they support. 

You will be expected to work in a hands-on way to drive and deliver key people initiatives into the business in support of the strategic people plan, and acting in close collaboration and partnership with people colleagues from our 4 Pillars - Transformation, Culture, Professional Learning & OD, and People and Policy Relations.

The People Business Partner will focus on the following key areas:

• Org Effectiveness & Change Management  
• Talent & Workforce Planning  
• Performance Management, Development & Rewards  
• Employee Engagement  
• Capability Management  

Key Accountabilities 

• Acting as a Trusted Advisor to build and maintain strong relationships with Managers and their teams and gain in depth knowledge of the division, key employees and business processes.  
• Build strong relationships with colleagues and business leaders by in-depth and active listening to understand objectives and challenges, problem-solve and agree plans for an effective way forward. 
• Partner closely with colleagues in the POE (Shared Service) team and across the 4 Pillar teams to support the delivery of the Global People Strategy and Plan to the highest standard across own area of the business. 
• Work with the Strategic People Partner Lead to provide support for ad-hoc People Team projects as required bringing a solution focused mind-set to bear on any initiative. 
• Bring a strong commercial and customer focus to all People related initiatives. 

Qualifications

In order to be successful in this role you will have:

• A proven track record of true HR Business Partnering experience and of supporting colleagues across the full colleague lifecycle, ideally within a global environment, including strong performance management, talent acquisition, change management experience and skills. 
• Strong Talent Planning skills and a deep knowledge of the talent process across the colleague life cycle 
• Experience of successfully executing reorganizations
• Experience of and a commitment to driving commercial and customer focused People initiatives. 
• Strong Project management experience and experience with using relevant Project Management tools and processes. 
• Strong Data Analysis skills and data-led storytelling ability 
• Knowledge of employment legislation 
• Experience of working with Trade Unions would be useful (UK) 
• Evidence of working cross-functionally and effectively influencing stakeholders
• Ability to effectively listen and coach at all levels with an empathetic and inclusive mindset
• A willingness to roll up your sleeves and do the day-to-day as well as the strategic elements of a BP role
• A familiarity and comfort with working with ambiguity and "in the grey"
• Strong HRBP background plus experience in one Centre of Excellence (could be TA, L&D, ER, DEI, etc)

Additional Information

Location: The successful candidate will be able to utilise our balanced working model. We ask that candidates live within a commutable distance of our office in Milton Park, Oxfordshire, to ensure that as a balanced worker they can make it to our office location 3 days per week. 

Closing Date: Applications will close on Friday 10th July 2026  but please note that applications are shortlisted on a rolling basis, and we will be interviewing alongside advertising, so we encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity. 

Interviews will take place between 14th and 16th July.

* Please note that you must have the right to work and live in the UK *

What we offer in return:

• A competitive salary + bonus
• An excellent work/life balance with a fantastic working culture
• 25 days annual leave
• 3 additional discretionary days off during the holiday season at the end of the year
• 4 volunteering days annually
• Day off for your birthday
• Company funded single cover private medical insurance  
• Employee assistance programme – offering 24/7 well-being support 
• Share Match – Plan that matches every share purchased with two free shares. 
• Pension scheme 
• Life assurance, plus optical and medical care

Being Yourself at Taylor & Francis 

If you’re excited about working with Taylor & Francis to foster human progress through knowledge, we invite you to apply even if your existing skills and experience don’t fit every item listed above. At Taylor & Francis, we are at our best and most successful when colleagues can be themselves and make a contribution regardless of their identity or background. As a colleague, you will have the opportunity to further innovate and develop in areas that you are passionate about. Our goal is to empower you with the resources, incentives, and flexibility you need to enjoy success at work and to live a healthy, balanced life. 

Taylor & Francis is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe in and value diversity of people and thought, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where all colleagues can learn and succeed as their true selves. Taylor & Francis recruits, develops, and retains colleagues without regard to any protected personal characteristics or other non-merit based factor. 

If you have a disability, or face another barrier,  and would like to request an adjustment to assist your participation in the hiring process and/or in the advertised position, please contact Emma Kelly. Your request will be reviewed and considered in the strictest confidence.

We genuinely care about our colleagues, promoting work-life balance, wellbeing, and flexible working. We believe that the skills and experience you bring to Taylor & Francis are invaluable. We want you to have the opportunity to develop your abilities, and to innovate and develop in areas which you are passionate about. To find out more about our business and the great career opportunities please go to our Careers Site: http://www.taylorandfrancisgroup.com/careers 

Or better yet check out our LinkedIn ‘Life’ Page, highlighting our accomplishments, employees, and company culture. It’s also a good way of meeting our recruitment team, who will be happy to advise you on your journey here at T&F. 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/taylor-&-francis-group/life/79e0c27c-afdf-4bbb-84e6-5f8ed5e10bb8/ 

Taylor & Francis Group an Informa Business

We know that sometimes the 'perfect candidate' doesn't exist, and that people can be put off applying for a job if they don't fit all the requirements. If you're excited about working for us and have most of the skills or experience we're looking for, please go ahead and apply. You could be just what we need! We believe strongly in the value of diversity and creating supportive, inclusive environments where our colleagues can succeed.  As such, Informa is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, ancestry, national origin, religion, or religious creed, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, citizenship, or other protected characteristics under local law.    This role may also be available on a flexible working or part time basis – please ask the Talent Acquisition team for more information. 

To find out more about our business and the great career opportunities please go to our Careers Site: https://taylorandfrancis.com/careers/