Senior HR Business Partner (Head Office)

14-month fixed term contract to cover maternity

Based in London (3 days in office)

We are looking for a Senior HR Business Partner to join our friendly and dynamic team here at Waterstones Head Office in London to cover a period of maternity leave for 14 months.

You will be the strategic people partner to Head Office and ensure a value‑added people service is provided which enhances business performance and puts people at the heart of our culture.

The role is varied, working with a wide range of stake holders where you will be leading key projects to deliver business solutions in one meeting, to providing expert Employee Relations advice, we need someone who can be flexible and adaptable depending on business needs.

You will work closely with the Head Office Director’s and senior leaders ensuring that HR are adding value to support business performance whilst reflecting our unique culture and ways of working, leading a team of three to support you in deliver for both Head Office and our Warehouse.

What you will be doing

• Work as part of the Senior HR team to develop plans and deliver HR Services that add value and support colleagues within the business ensuring effective team working across all areas.
• Lead the HO HR team to provide a consistent and compliant HR/ER service to their business area, providing expertise and guidance on complex people situations and leading conversations as appropriate.
• Work with the business to develop and deliver a plan for managers to feel empowered and confident to manage people issues.
• Develop a HR plan for HO to drive value‑add people initiatives that support delivery of our business results and are in line with Company culture
• Work as part of the HR leadership team to develop annual people plans to drive forward business improvements (for example Wellbeing, EDI, turnover, recruitment). Provide leadership on HR projects and monitor effective delivery on timelines and key success criteria as well as analysing data and trends to proactively drive the people agenda
• Develop and embed HR policies that are reflective of our culture whilst providing framework and guidance for managers to feel empowered leading their people and including up to date legislation
• Ongoing development of a performance culture ensuring managers are clear and consistent in leading and developing their people
• Continuously improve leadership and manager capability by challenging, influencing and supporting in a way that increases knowledge, understanding and ability to manage people effectively at all levels along with coaching and delivering bespoke training solutions.
• Work with Senior Management to access the recruitment needs across functions, identifying skills gaps and developing succession plan.
• Work collaboratively across the entire HR team, sharing knowledge to ensure a consistent approach across the company.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the HR function by identifying better ways of working and driving efficiency
• Contribute to wider business retention and reward strategies for Head office.

What we need from you

• A down to earth, flexible and agile individual that will have strong influencing skills and the ability to build strong and effective relationships to deliver people solutions.
• Significant experience working as a HRBP within a multi‑site environment and a strong commercial acumen, preferably experience in retail and warehouse environments.
• A passion and experience for Learning and Development would be advantageous.
• Ability to lead a team, including developing and coaching team members to deliver high performance.
• Broad generalist HR experience across all disciplines including policies, procedures, guidance tools and performance management
• Coaching and training experience to deliver bespoke training to all levels of management.
• Ability to multitask and work autonomously.
• Ability to communicate effectively and comfortably across all levels of the business.
• Experience of developing HR plans and activity to meet business goals.
• Delivery of people projects.

Person Profile

• A commercially astute individual that is considered and can work collaboratively building strong relationships, having the ability to influence at a senior level whilst working with ambiguity to deliver people focused solutions that meet business needs
• Inspiring and engaging people leadership/ management skills
• Pragmatic, adaptable, patient, approachable, resilient and strong listening skills to really partner the business
• Positive and proactive with confidence to establish credibility fast

Why work for Waterstones?

Waterstones is the cornerstone of bookselling across the UK and Ireland. Joining Waterstones means being an active part in a success story that began in 1982, and books are as popular now as the day we started.

Trading across the UK, Ireland and Europe, we are present in over 290 shopping locations, where Waterstones continues to thrive, each year actively pursuing a programme of new bookshop openings. Online at Waterstones.com, we meanwhile mirror the essence of our bookshops, further showcasing the unique enthusiasm and knowledge of our booksellers.

If you have the relevant experience, a passion for books along with a passion for people, this would be a great role for you. We would love to hear from you.