What you need…
You will almost certainly be a graduate, with CIPD membership, although a strong and successful track record gained in complex business environments is more important than academic credentials. You should also have a minimum of five years’ broad generalist HR experience or general business experience.
Proven experience of working at a strategic level is vital, as is a commercial focus and experience of change management. You will have the personality and style to establish credibility at the highest level and make an immediate impact.
How to get into it…
Some organisations recruit ambitious HR managers into an HR business partner role, but blue-chip companies always demand a proven track record in an equivalent role, typically within a similar sized organisation. As such, it can be difficult to break into, and many would-be HR business partners find themselves working in a far smaller role, and then building up a portfolio of experience.
What is involved?…
Typically, an HR business partner’s role involves aligning HR activity to business needs, developing and delivering HR solutions to meet business challenges, and delivering a significant effect on business performance. They also provide professional support, advice and guidance about HR and related issues to managers and staff in other departments. They may also contribute to the delivery of change programmes by acting as the project manager for HR-related issues.
Prospects are…
excellent, particularly given the growth in the financial services sector in Scotland over the past few years.
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