Head of HR, Retail

Sephora; City Of London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading beauty retailer in the UK is seeking a Head of HR to develop and execute HR strategies for retail operations. The role involves partnering with leadership, managing HR teams, and enhancing employee engagement. Ideal candidates will have over 10 years of HR experience with a strong focus on retail environments and team leadership. Join an inclusive environment that values diversity and empowers its employees.

Benefits

Community culture

Empowerment and learning opportunities

Fulfillment from impactful work

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of HR principles, practices, and employment law.
• Proven ability to build relationships with business leaders and employees.
• Experience managing HR teams with a focus on retail operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute HR strategy for UK retail aligned with business objectives.
• Partner with leadership to drive performance and engagement.
• Manage team of HR professionals to ensure effective HR support.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Communication skills

Employee relations

Talent development

Education

10+ years of progressive HR experience

5 years in a leadership role

3-5 years in retail or multi-site environment

Job description

At Sephora, beauty is about feeling seen, valued, and empowered, individually and collectively. It is connecting deeply with others, celebrating diversity and inclusivity, unlocking your potential and making a difference every day. Together, we belong to something beautiful.

Since its inception in 1969 in Limoges, France, and as part of the LVMH Group since 1997, Sephora has been disrupting the prestige beauty retail industry. Today, Sephora continues to break with convention to drive its mission: champion a world of inspiration and inclusion where everyone can celebrate their beauty.

With 56,000 employees in 35 countries, including over 600 in the UK, we c onnect customers and beauty brands within the world’s most passionate beauty community . With a curation of nearly 500 brands, and our own label, Sephora Collection, we offer the most unique and diverse range of products: fragrances, makeup, hair care, skincare... and much more.

The Head of HR, Retail, is a strategic role responsible for developing and executing the HR strategy for our retail operations. Reporting to the HR Director, you will lead a team of HR Business Partners, HR Advisors, and an Employee Relations Manager to provide comprehensive HR support to our retail teams across the UK. You will be a key partner to the Retail leadership team, providing guidance and expertise on all people-related matters to drive business performance and create a positive and engaging employee experience

You will excel and enjoy this position if you are ready to actively handle the following missions :

• Develop and execute the HR strategy for UK retail aligned with Sephora’s global and local business objectives.
• Partner with Retail Operations leadership to drive performance, engagement, and growth across stores.
• Attract, select and develop Leadership team members across stores
• Oversee the performance management process for the Retail division, ensuring fair and consistent application of performance standards.
• Lead workforce planning, succession planning, and talent development initiatives across retail.
• Champion internal mobility and career progression for store teams.
• Drive initiatives that promote Sephora’s values, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Monitor and improve employee engagement through data-driven insights and impactful action plans.
• Ensure HR policies, systems, and processes are fit for purpose and scalable.
• Support organisational change, restructures, and transformation projects within retail.
• Oversee complex ER cases, ensuring fair, consistent, and legally compliant outcomes.
• Partner with the ER Manager to proactively manage risk and maintain a positive employee experience.
• Partner with Retail Education to prescribe, design and implement leadership development programs tailored for store managers and retail leaders.
• Identify high-potential talent and create pathways for progression into leadership roles.
• Embed a coaching culture across retail to empower leaders and elevate team performance.
• Strengthen leadership capability and increase accountability across store leadership teams by setting clear expectations, performance standards, and feedback mechanisms.
• Provide input and guidance on compensation and benefits programs for retail employees, ensuring competitiveness and alignment with business objectives.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing HR team including HRBPs, HR Advisors, and the ER Manager.
• Foster collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement within the HR function.

Do not hesitate to apply if you have… or if you are a …

• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate business objectives into HR initiatives.
• 10+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least:
  • 5 years in a leadership role, ideally managing HR teams
  • 3–5 years in a retail or multi-site environment, with deep understanding of store operations and day to day dynamics
• Strong exposure to employee relations, talent development, and organisational change
• Proven experience leading and managing a team of HR professionals.
• Strong knowledge of HR principles, practices, and employment law.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships with business leaders and employees at all levels.

Here, you will find:

• Community, in which authenticity is embraced, and the strength of our differences fuels our collective spirit.

• Culture of empowerment, learning & growth, that offers you the tools, space and opportunity to learn, innovate and lead.

• Work that brings fulfillment. From delighting clients every day, to inspiring our industry at large, every action makes a difference.

Join us and belong to something beautiful.

At Sephora, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating and fostering an inclusive environment for everyone.