The posting
HR Business Partner – Technology
Full Time | 18-month Fixed-term contract
£61,000 - £65,000 (depending on experience)
Hybrid | 4 Days a week at OSHQ | Southampton
Are you an experienced HR Business Partner who naturally works as part of the team, sharing ownership of outcomes rather than acting as a consultant? Do you have the strategic insight and the practical, hands-on approach to help a large technology function shape its future? If so, we'd love to hear from you.
About the role
Our Technology function brings together around 400 people across engineering, delivery, architecture, research and AI. Over the next 18 months, the function is delivering our Tech 2030 strategy, which includes evolving our Enterprise, Geospatial and Customer platforms and services, moving away from legacy estate towards a holistic architecture, and building the technical capability we need for the future.
As HR Business Partner, you'll work alongside the Technology Senior Leadership Team as a trusted thought partner and coach. You'll take a real sense of ownership of their goals and outcomes. You'll help leaders step back from the detail when they need to, bring an external perspective and constructive challenge, and then roll up your sleeves to make things happen. This role is about implementing change, not just recommending it.
What you'll be doing
- Strategic partnering: Partner with Technology leaders to turn the Tech 2030 strategy and business outcomes into clear people priorities and plans, representing Technology within the People Team and the People Team within Technology.
- Strategic workforce planning: Lead discussions on strategic workforce planning and capability development. Get hands-on with the numbers, modelling the future shape and size of the function and managing in year headcount alongside the Finance Business Partner.
- Culture and change: Help shape employee engagement, culture, mindset, practices and principles. Support the ongoing embedding of a services model that encourages collaboration and shared outcomes with Product, Data and Customer teams.
- Leadership development: Provide one-to-one coaching to the Technology leadership team and work with the wider People Team to help leaders role model OS leadership behaviours and mindsets.
- Operational grip and insight: Use business and HR metrics, analysis and insight to inform decisions, evaluate the impact of people interventions and help the business realise the benefits it planned for. Follow up on actions and help keep Technology focused and on track.
- Employee relations: Work alongside leaders on complex and challenging employee relations issues embedding the confidence to lead with early and constructive intervention when issues first arise. Focus on business outcomes, manage risk, and handle every case in a human way.
- Building capability and insight in the People Team: Work alongside and coach HR Advisers and collaborate with the People Team Centres of Excellence to deliver on business and cultural priorities.
- Cross-business contribution: Bring flexibility and agility to wider People team priorities and cross-business challenges as they come up.
What you'll bring
- Significant experience as an HR Business Partner and of partnering a technology function or team - preferably within a large or complex organisation.
- A proven ability to lead senior teams through strategic workforce planning, cultural change, capability development and a focus on employee engagement.
- Confidence with workforce data, including headcount, workforce modelling and organisational shape and size.
- Excellent knowledge of the employee relations landscape and employment law, with experience of managing complex and challenging cases alongside leaders.
- Strong coaching skills and the credibility to offer the right level of challenge in the right way, constructively and alongside leaders.
- A collaborative, adaptive and delivery-focused approach. You take ownership, follow through and are comfortable being hands-on at the right level.
- Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills.
It would be great if you also have
- Experience of how AI is affecting workforces, roles and skills.
- Experience of organisational design and operating model development.
- CIPD Level 5 or an equivalent professional qualification, with evidence of continuous professional development.
The rewards
We want you to love what you do and feel supported to do your best work.
Our benefits include:
- Competitive salary and pension (OS contribute up to 12.07%)
- Performance related bonus (where applicable)
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with service)
- Enhanced family leave, including paid partner leave
- Learning and development support, coaching and mentoring
- Free subscription to OS Maps and access to wellbeing support
- Volunteering leave and matched fundraising
Location & working pattern
This role will be based in Southampton and will require you to spend at least 4 days a week collaborating face-to-face with colleagues.
Security & eligibility
OS conducts pre-employment checks for anyone made an offer of employment, including identity, right to work, employment history and criminal record checks (via Disclosure & Barring Services (DBS)).
Some of our roles may require additional security vetting. We will advise candidates during the recruitment process if additional vetting may be required for that specific role.
This role requires the right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, OS cannot provide visa sponsorship for this position.
Inclusion at OS
Research shows that people from underrepresented groups often hesitate to apply unless they meet every requirement. At Ordnance Survey, we’re committed to building a diverse, inclusive and welcoming workplace.
If this role excites you but your experience doesn’t match every point, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right person for this role or another opportunity at OS.
We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that people may need during the recruitment process, and you will be asked whether you require any during the application process.
Closing date: Tuesday 17th November 2026 at 23:59pm
How to Apply
- Please apply with your CV and a Covering letter outlining "Why you are interested in the role and what you can bring in terms of key criteria"
Interview Details
- 1st stage: Microsoft Teams Discovery calls - W/c: 23rd November 2026
- Shortlisted candidates to complete a SOVA Personality Questionnaire
- 2nd stage: In person Interviews - Friday 4th & Monday 7th December 2026
Who we are
We are Ordnance Survey, Great Britain’s national mapping service and a pioneer in geospatial technology. With over 230 years of trusted data, we empower better decisions, deeper understanding, and meaningful connections to the places we live, move through, and care for.
Three principles one direction
- Clear the path – Cut the noise. Simplify. Move at pace
- Seek the story – Listen. Understand. Speak up
- Do what matters – Focus on value
Our principles unite us in delivering our Data & Destinations strategy with more simplicity, more clarity, and renewed momentum for each other and for our customers.
They’re here to create more good days, and fewer harder ones but only if each one of us plays our part.
Skills required for this role:
Business Partnerships, Change Management, Employee Relations, Human Resource Metrics, Human Resources (HR), Organizational Culture Change, People Analytics, People Transformation, Strategic Human Resources Leadership, Talent Management
