HR Business Partner

Seen Studios | B Corp Certified; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Seen Studios in London is seeking an experienced HR Business Partner to lead day-to-day HR across the agency. You’ll partner with our Director of Operations and management to shape people strategies and deliver pragmatic HR solutions.

This permanent role covers the full employee lifecycle—from recruitment and onboarding through development, performance and employee relations—with hands-on delivery and a focus on sustaining a creative, inclusive culture as the business scales.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of HR experience with CIPD Level 5 or above.
• Experience as HR Business Partner or HR Manager, preferably in a creative agency.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and end-to-end ER case handling.
• Excellent coaching and communication skills able to influence at all levels.
• Commercial, practical and people-focused approach; able to juggle priorities.
• Organised with high attention to detail; able to work independently.

Responsibilities

• First point of contact for managers and employees on ER, performance, absence, probation and flexible working.
• Managing routine ER cases, including disciplinary and grievances, escalating higher-risk matters.
• Coaching managers to lead teams and have constructive performance discussions.
• Support recruitment via Team Tailor from role design to interviews and offers.
• Own scalable onboarding framework for great induction.
• Organise agency-wide learning and development and support performance reviews.
• Protect and grow team culture as the business scales.
• Own HR systems and admin across the lifecycle, including contracts and payroll changes.
• Keep HR policies up to date with UK legislation and produce regular people reporting.

Skills

HR Expertise

Coaching

Stakeholder Mgmt

UK Employment Law

Talent Development

Education

CIPD Level 5 or above

Job description

Seen Studios is a B Corp certified creative agency that designs brand environments with purpose, collaborating with some of the industry’s leading global brands. We create authentic retail spaces and activations using cutting-edge materials, innovative digital platforms and efficient build methods. Creativity, consumer insight and sustainability are at our core.

We’re looking for an HR Business Partner to join us on a permanent basis.

You’ll be responsible for the day-to-day delivery of HR across Seen Studios. You’ll work closely with our Director of Operations and management team, supported by our HR system and a Fractional HR Director.

This is a key, standalone role in a growing business. You’ll cover the full employee lifecycle, from recruitment and onboarding through to development, performance and employee relations. You’ll get stuck in with hands-on delivery while building strong relationships with managers and teams across the agency.

You’ll also be a trusted, approachable presence across the business. You’ll take ownership of everyday HR matters and know when to bring in specialist or senior advice.

What you’ll be responsible for:

• Being the first point of contact for managers and employees on employee relations, including performance, absence, probation and flexible working.
• Managing routine ER cases, including disciplinary and grievance processes, and escalating higher-risk matters when needed.
• Coaching managers to lead their teams effectively and have constructive conversations about performance and development.
• Supporting recruitment through Team Tailor, from role design and job descriptions through to interviews and offers, and training managers to hire well.
• Owning a scalable onboarding framework so new joiners get a great induction and settle in quickly.
• Organising agency-wide learning and development and supporting the performance review cycle, career progression and succession planning.
• Helping to protect and grow our team culture as the business scales.
• Owning our HR systems and administration across the employee lifecycle, from contracts and payroll to changes and leavers.
• Keeping HR policies up to date with UK legislation and business needs, and producing regular people reporting.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has 5+ years’ HR experience and CIPD Level 5 or above (or equivalent experience).
• Has worked as an HR Business Partner, HR Manager or similar, ideally within a creative agency.
• Has strong working knowledge of UK employment law and is confident handling ER cases end-to-end.
• Is a strong coach and communicator who can influence at all levels, including senior managers.
• Takes a practical, commercial and people-focused approach.
• Can work independently with sound judgement, knowing when to take ownership and when to elevate.
• Is highly organised, with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to juggle multiple priorities.
• Thrives at pace in a fast-moving, evolving agency, and is personable, human and authentic.