Temporary Head of HR Business Partnering; Grade M1

Temporary Head of HR Business Partnering (Grade M1)

Final date to receive applications: 8 March 2026

Department: Corporate Services

Employment Type: Fixed Term - Full Time

Location: Edinburgh - Hybrid

Compensation: Grade M1 £ 64,659 - £76,260. Civil Service Pension. Flexible Working Hours. Hybrid Working.

To lead the design, and implementation and ongoing delivery of a modern HR business partnering and advisory model and support organisational change and transformation.

We expect that this role will end in February 2027.

• Reporting to the Deputy Director, lead the design, implementation and ongoing delivery of a modern HR business partnering and advisory model aligned to SFC’s corporate strategy, values and objectives.
• Lead the business partnering team to provide a service of trusted support to Directors, senior leaders and managers: offering expert and evidence-based advice support and guidance on all aspects of people management, organisational development, performance and workforce planning.
• Lead the business partnering team to provide professional advice as required on employee relations matters, fostering a positive and inclusive work environment, taking account of advice and support from other HR team leads where appropriate, and ensuring consistency with SFC’s established policies and legal obligations.
• Partner with Directors and their leadership teams to drive and support systemic organisational change initiatives, in collaboration with colleagues from within the People & Transformation team and the wider Corporate Services directorate. This includes collaborating to identify talent needs, develop succession plans, and implement effective recruitment practice, workforce planning, retention, and development approaches within their business areas.
• Build effective working relationships across the organisation, representing SFC’s interests and values in all interactions.
• Role‑model an adaptable approach to prioritisation to enable delivery, support individuals and teams to find solutions in the context of shifting needs and demands.

It is important through your CV / Cover Letter that you give evidence of proven experience of each of the following essential criteria:

• Proven track record of effective delivery in a senior HR business partner role, ideally within the public sector or an organisation going through significant change.
• Demonstrable track record of designing and implementing HR business partnering models.
• Good working knowledge and understanding of employment law, HR best practice, and current trends in people management.
• Experience of leading teams in the context of organisational change with a proactive, solutions‑oriented and innovative approach. Partnering and seeking the involvement of others and maintaining effective communications.
• Commitment to role‑model the organisation’s values and foster an environment which supports inclusion and belonging. Working cohesively and collaboratively with senior leaders and their teams to do the same.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility at all levels of the organisation.
• Ability to take an analytical approach, with experience in using data and management information to inform decisions and measure success.
• Relevant professional body qualification (e.g. Chartered membership of CIPD) or equivalent relevant experience.

• Normal full‑time hours of work are 35 per week. We will consider flexible working arrangements. A flexi‑time system is in operation.
• Annual leave entitlement of 30 days pro‑rata, plus public and privilege holiday entitlement of 13 days pro‑rata.
• A flexible approach to hybrid working, giving you flexibility to work from home anywhere in the UK for some of the time while also maintaining regular in‑person contact with colleagues.
• Annual pay review: approved within the framework of the Scottish Government’s Public Sector Pay Policy and negotiated with our recognised trade union, Unite. Salaries are reviewed annually in April for employees who commence employment prior to 1 October in the…