People Business Partner – Aviation

Metrea is a defense company dedicated to translating commercial innovation into solutions for the hardest problems in national security. With deep mission expertise, Metrea focuses on delivering effects-as‑a‑service across Aerospace, Electromagnetic & Cyber, Digital & Synthetic domains via its capability groups. Metrea also consists of nine support groups (Operations, People, Finance, Legal, Platform, Strategy, Engagement, Science Technology & Craft, and Solutions) that guide the development of specific capabilities that Metrea’s files (products, projects, programs etc.) leverage to achieve their targets.

Position Summary: At Metrea, people are the power behind mission success. We don’t just hire world‑class Aviators, Flight Ops leaders, and technical specialists—we create an environment where they can thrive, grow, and deliver critical effects worldwide. Our Air Domain covers everything from Airborne ISR and Aerial Firefighting to Air‑to‑Air Refueling, Advanced Training, and Aircraft Engineering—operating across FAA, EASA, and CASA standards. Now we’re expanding fast across the UK, EU, and APAC—and we’re looking for our very first Aviation People Business Partner in the region. This is your chance to shape something new. You’ll partner directly with aviation leaders, build workforce strategies, design organisations, and develop talent plans that keep pace with a complex, safety‑critical, multinational environment. You’ll also craft people policies, tackle fresh challenges, and build scalable solutions as we grow.

This isn’t a typical HR role—it’s a chance to design, influence, and partner at the heart of a mission that impacts global security. If you’re excited by growth, thrive on trust and impact, and love unlocking potential in others, we want to hear from you. Success means balancing strategy and action: designing scalable people practices, advising on complex employee matters, and leaning into the tough problems with curiosity and pragmatism. As both a thought partner and problem‑solver, you’ll directly influence how our teams thrive and how our mission is achieved.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Partner with Aviation and enterprise leaders in the UK/EU and US to shape workforce strategy, organisation design, and leadership capability as we grow.
• Build trusted relationships with people leaders and employees, driving engagement, performance, and a culture of accountability.
• Support our Talent Acquisition and People development teammates and continuously improve our recruiting, onboarding and employee experience across the UK/EU Aviation domain.
• Guide and resolve complex employee relations matters, coaching leaders and supporting wellbeing, inclusion, and compliance.
• Collaborate with the People Development and Total Rewards teams to deliver talent, reward, and capability programs that scale with growth and tackle the complexities of multi‑jurisdictions.
• Ensure compliance with regional labour laws and aviation regulations (FAA, EASA, CASA), while embedding best practice people processes.
• Act as a change partner during organisational growth and transformation, helping leaders and teams navigate change with confidence.
• This will be a hybrid role in our London office (based in Hammersmith) with international travel required on an ad‑hoc basis.

Skills and Experience

• A strong background in aviation—ideally across UK and EU contexts (experience in one essential, both highly desirable).
• Solid knowledge of UK employment law, with confidence navigating complex, cross‑border people issues.
• A track record of building trust and credibility quickly with senior leaders, managers, and employees.
• Flexibility and resilience to thrive in a fast‑moving, safety‑critical environment.
• Experience shaping and delivering people initiatives across the full employee lifecycle—workforce planning, talent, engagement, and employee relations.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.
• A practical, hands‑on mindset—comfortable with both strategy and rolling up your sleeves when needed.
• High integrity, discretion, and a commitment to building inclusive, high‑performing teams.

Required Education, Experience and Certificates

• Education: Bachelor's Degree
• Experience: Minimum of 8 years of experience resolving complex employee relations issues as a Human Resource Business Partner, People Business Partner, or HR Director role.
• Working knowledge of multiple human resource disciplines, including compensation practices, organisational diagnosis, employee and union relations, diversity, performance management, and respective employment laws.

Preferred Education, Experience and Certificates

• Master’s Degree
• Experience: Aerospace/aviation or software industry

Certificates and Licenses

• Professional in Human Resources or SHRM-CP
• Computer Skills: Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office Suite Programs and HRIS

Benefits

Health and welfare, immediate retirement plan eligibility, competitive PTO, paid parental leave.

Work Authorization / Security Clearance

N/A

Work Arrangement

Hybrid; minimum of 3 days/week onsite – London, UK.

AAP/EEO Statement

Metrea Management Limited (MAM) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full‑time position with typical working hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Hours and work shifts may change in accordance with department and business needs. Exempt employees must have the ability to be on‑call and available, as business needs require.

Travel

Ability to travel a minimum of 25% of the time.