HR Business Partner – UK & Ireland
Gatwick Airport (with UK & Ireland remit)
At Fenix Logistix/ Red Handling UK, we deliver safe, efficient, and high-quality ground handling services in one of the most demanding operational environments in aviation.
We are now looking for a commercially focused, resilient HR Business Partner to support our UK & Ireland operations. This role is critical in driving our people agenda across a fast-paced, unionised, and operationally intensive business. This is a site-based role, and remote working is not available. Occasional travel will be required as part of the role.
If you thrive on challenge, understand frontline operations, and can balance compliance, cost, and culture — we want to hear from you.
Role Purpose
As HR Business Partner, you will act as a trusted advisor to operational leaders, ensuring the delivery of a pragmatic, compliant, and performance-driven HR service.
You will support a workforce of 200+ employees across the UK & Ireland, within a high-pressure, 24/7 aviation environment, where operational continuity, safety, and cost control are critical.
This role requires a hands-on approach, strong stakeholder influence, and the ability to manage complex employee relations in a unionised setting.
Key Responsibilities
Operational HR Business Partnering
- Partner with Station Managers and operational leaders to support day-to-day people challenges
- Provide practical, commercially sound HR advice aligned with operational needs
- Support delivery of on-time performance, productivity, and cost targets through effective people management
Employee Relations & Union Engagement
- Lead and manage complex ER cases across the business
- Act as key HR lead in union engagement, consultation, and negotiations
- Support collective processes, restructures, and organisational change
- Ensure consistent and fair application of policies across all workgroups
Compliance & Employment Law
- Ensure full compliance with UK employment law (essential) and Ireland legislation (desirable but important)
- Manage risk by advising on ER cases, TUPE, restructuring, and disciplinary matters
- Liaise with external legal advisors where required
Resourcing & Workforce Planning
- Work closely with operations to ensure right people, right place, right time
- Support high-volume recruitment in line with seasonal and operational demand
- Drive effective onboarding and probation management
- Monitor headcount, absenteeism, and attrition trends
Performance & Culture
- Embed a performance-driven culture across all stations
- Support managers with appraisals, performance management, and capability processes
- Drive employee engagement initiatives aligned with operational realities
Cost & Budget Management
- Support operational leaders in managing labour costs and productivity
- Provide insight on overtime, agency use, and workforce efficiency
- Ensure alignment with budget and financial targets
HR Leadership & Process Improvement
- Lead and develop local HR capability
- Improve HR processes, ensuring they are efficient, compliant, and fit for an operational environment
- Support change programmes, including mobilisation, growth, and restructuring
What We’re Looking For
- Proven HR Business Partner experience in a fast-paced, operational environment (aviation, logistics, or similar)
- Strong knowledge of UK employment law (essential)
- Working knowledge of Ireland employment law (highly desirable)
- Proven experience working in a unionised environment and dealing directly with Trade Unions
- Strong background in employee relations, including complex and high-volume cases
- Ability to influence and challenge operational leaders
- Experience managing workforce planning in a 24/7 operation
- Commercially aware, with the ability to link HR decisions to business performance
- Resilient, pragmatic, and hands-on approach
Qualifications & Experience
- CIPD qualified (Level 5 minimum, Level 7 desirable)
- Minimum 8+ years HR experience, with at least 3 years in a senior or business partnering role
- Experience within aviation or ground handling highly advantageous
Key Competencies
- Builds credibility quickly with frontline and leadership teams
- Strong decision-making in high-pressure environments
- Excellent negotiation and influencing skills
- Results-driven with a focus on operational delivery
- Confident handling challenging conversations and union discussions
- Self-starter with strong accountability
Why Join Red Handling?
- Be part of a growing aviation ground handling business at a key UK hub
- Work in a dynamic, operationally critical environment where HR makes a real impact
- Opportunity to influence and shape people strategy across two countries
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £50,000.00-£60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- Private medical insurance
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Gatwick Airport RH6 0NP: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):
- Do you hold CIPD qualification?
- Are you willing to travel as part of your role?
Experience:
- HR: 8 years (required)
- managment: 3 years (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
