HR Business Partner

Job Description

HR Business Partner

Location: London

Shape the Future of HR Leadership at AstraZeneca

Are you a visionary HR professional, passionate about delivering people-first strategies that drive sustainable business success? If you are looking to accelerate your impact and set the standard for excellence in biopharma, AstraZeneca offers you an outstanding platform to realise your ambitions!

At AstraZeneca, we are transforming patient outcomes globally and striving to become the UK’s leading biopharmaceutical company. Our mission to outpace cancer and reimagine healthcare is as bold as it is inspiring. Our HR team is pivotal to creating a workplace where talent can thrive, ideas spark innovation, and every colleague is empowered to deliver lasting value — all in support of our purpose to push the boundaries of science for the benefit of patients.

About the Role

As HR Business Partner, you will be instrumental in shaping and driving our People Strategy for the UK Oncology and Biopharmaceuticals divisions. You’ll work in partnership with the Senior Leadership Team and dedicated HR colleagues to deliver on business priorities, foster a high-performance culture, and advance our ambitions for growth and innovation.

This role demands a proactive and commercially astute HR leader, comfortable operating at the interface of business strategy and people outcomes. While supporting senior executives and taking ownership of key talent initiatives, you will have the scope to elevate your strategic influence and contribute to organisational transformation at every level.

Accountabilities:

Strategic HR Planning and Execution

• Champion the People Strategy by leveraging commercial insight, financial acumen, and deep analytical skills to inform decision-making.
• Collaborate with the HR Director, broader HR team, Centres of Expertise, and global networks to drive talent strategies and succession planning.
• Create and implement innovative approaches to talent retention, mitigating attrition risks, and cultivating a dynamic and diverse workforce.
• Translate business imperatives into actionable people plans, aligning talent and capabilities with our long-term ambitions.

Leadership and Advisory

• Act as a highly credible partner and adviser to senior leaders, supporting organisational development and spearheading change initiatives.
• Lead performance management cycles, nurture career development, and partner with Talent Acquisition and Reward teams to secure and retain top talent.

Organisational Development and Change

• Shape organisation design and cultural change projects, elevating Agility, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as business differentiators.
• Ensure meticulous compliance and outstanding practice across all areas of UK employment law and people policy, staying at the cutting edge of HR trends and technology.

Learning and Development

• Champion a continuous learning attitude, supporting leadership and capability development programmes, including our 'Thriving in the Age of AI' initiative.

Recruitment and Onboarding

• Develop effective hiring and onboarding strategies in close collaboration with the Talent Acquisition Team.
• Partner with the reward team to ensure competitive compensation and benefits.

Compliance and Best Practices

• Support compliance with HR policies and provide expertise on employment laws and standard methodologies.
• Stay informed on HR trends and contribute innovative ideas to the organisation.

Data-Driven Insights

• Analyse HR metrics to develop data-driven solutions for issues and opportunities.

About You

To be successful, you will bring:

• A proven track record in strategic HR Business Partnering within complex, fast-paced environments, demonstrating your ability to articulate vision, set direction, and inspire teams at every level.
• Proven experience in leading business change, leadership planning, performance and reward, employee relations, learning & development, and organisational design.
• The gravitas to coach and challenge senior leaders, with the agility to problem-solve and a passion for nurturing talent.
• Advanced data proficiency: able to interpret HR metrics and analytics to shape forward-thinking strategies.
• Outstanding interpersonal, communication, and influencing skills, with high emotional intelligence and discretion.
• Working knowledge of commercial operations and the curiosity to build your business insight in a science-led environment.
• Expert understanding of UK employment law and compliance, with the ability to seamlessly translate policy into practical action.
• Experience adapting to and driving digital transformation and AI-driven programmes of work.
• A collaborative attitude and flair for building cross-functional networks, both locally and internationally.

Our Approach to Hybrid Working

Innovation thrives in inclusive, connected environments. That’s why our teams come together in person at least three days a week — to collaborate, share ideas, and spark creativity. We also recognise the importance of flexibility, valuing work-life balance alongside high-performance.

Why AstraZeneca?

You’ll join a pioneering team at the forefront of science, united by our ambition to shape a healthier world. Here, your ideas will inspire change; your expertise will influence senior partners; and your leadership will have a direct, measurable impact on both our business and the lives of patients worldwide.

Step into a role with stretch, visibility, and purpose — where you can build your reputation as a leader, develop innovative HR practice, and reap the rewards of working for an employer of choice in life sciences!

Ready to Elevate Your Career?

Apply now to make your mark and grow with us as we redefine the future of patient care and scientific innovation.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Date Posted

27-Jul-2025

Closing Date

08-Aug-2025Our mission is to build an inclusive and equitable environment. We want people to feel they belong at AstraZeneca and Alexion, starting with our recruitment process. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of characteristics. We offer reasonable adjustments/accommodations to help all candidates to perform at their best. If you have a need for any adjustments/accommodations, please complete the section in the application form.