HR Business Partner - 12 month Fixed Term
Bedford
Vacancy listed 06/08/2026
Application deadline 30/09/2026
Details
HR Business Partner (12 Month Fixed-Term Contract)

Are you an experienced HR Business Partner with a proven track record in driving organisational change and delivering strategic HR projects?

About the company: 

ARA is a unique SME representing some of the best engineering of our time. With a strong and rich heritage, we are proud to have a passionate workforce of highly skilled engineering and aerodynamic professionals. We are a leading specialist in model design and manufacture, aerodynamic testing and numerous associated technologies, e.g. Computational Fluid Dynamics.  We are actively involved in research, providing meaningful and innovative solutions and services to our global customer base.

Our site in Bedford is centred around our impressive transonic wind tunnel – the equipment which drives it – whilst the research performed is often unique to ARA and involves many bespoke processes.

About the role: 

We are in the midst of significant business transformation and are looking for an agile, delivery-focused HR Business Partner to join us on a 12-month fixed-term contract.

You will partner directly with key senior stakeholders across the business to navigate organisational change, align people strategies with business objectives, and execute key HR initiatives seamlessly.

Key Responsibilities

  • Design, lead, and implement HR-led transformation initiatives and change management frameworks across the business. 
  • Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and key department heads, providing strategic guidance and constructive challenge on people matters. 
  • Take full ownership of end-to-end HR projects, including culture initiatives and workforce planning
  • Support leaders through structural reviews and talent alignment, while maintaining employee engagement. 
  • Translate overarching business goals into actionable HR project roadmaps, ensuring key milestones are delivered on time and within scope. 
  • Partner with internal comms and business leads to ensure clear, empathetic, and effective messaging throughout the transformation journey. 

What We’re Looking For

  • An experienced HR Business Partner, ideally within organisations undergoing significant cultural change. 
  • Strong, hands-on experience in managing HR projects and change management. 
  • Exceptional interpersonal and negotiation skills, with the credibility to influence and challenge senior stakeholders effectively. 
  • Ability to understand business drivers and use data to support shaping the HR strategy. 
  • Thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment with the ability to manage competing priorities and hit the ground running. 

What We Offer:

Salary:  up to £50,000 per annum – dependent on experience

Contract: 12-month fixed term

Typical Hours: Full-time, Monday to Friday, 38 hours per week. Flexible start and Finish times


How to Apply: 

If you are a dynamic HR professional who thrives on variety, project execution, and guiding organisations through meaningful change, we’d love to hear from you. Click the ‘apply’ button

Please note that we operate a preferred supplier list for recruitment agencies. We are not seeking additional agency support for this vacancy and kindly ask that speculative approaches are not made.

The successful candidate must satisfy security clearance requirements – including the last 5 years continual UK residency.

Aircraft Research Association Ltd is proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer. We recognise the value in an inclusive and diverse workforce and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified people.
 


Benefits

Annual leave – 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays per annum
Contributory pension scheme whereby the company matches up to a 7% contribution
Private medical insurance
Life cover of 3 x basic annual salary
Enhanced company sick pay
BAE shares as part of the BAE share incentive plan (SIP)

apply