HR Controller

Puig; City Of London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A global company is seeking an HR Controller to manage financial aspects related to personnel costs. The successful candidate will lead budgeting, forecasting, and provide strategic insights to senior leadership. Strong financial acumen, analytical skills, and the ability to work cross-functionally with HR and Finance are essential. You will thrive in a collaborative and dynamic environment while driving financial improvements and supporting a positive company culture.

Benefits

Creative work culture

Learning and development opportunities

International career growth

Competitive compensation and benefits

Qualifications

• Proven experience in HR financial planning, including budgeting.
• Strong background in cost analysis and financial reporting.
• Experience with accruals, rolling forecasts, and collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to work with HR, Finance, and stakeholders.
• Familiarity with headcount reporting and strategic workforce planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead budgeting and forecasting for personnel-related costs.
• Support HR initiatives and analyze financial impacts.
• Oversee month-end provisions for bonuses and salary reviews.
• Ensure alignment between HR and Finance in planning cycles.

Skills

Financial planning

Cost analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical skills

Communication

Tools

Excel

HRIS

Financial planning tools

Job description

The Opportunity

The HR Controller plays a pivotal role in managing the financial aspects of the HR function, with a strong focus on Net Personnel Expenses (NPE). This role ensures accurate budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis of people-related costs, partnering closely with Finance and HR teams to support strategic decision-making and cost control.

You will be working across three different entities, each offering its own unique challenges and opportunities. People is a major focus for this role, and you'll play a significant part in shaping our strategy and optimising our approach to ensure the highest levels of productivity across our retail estate and HQ strategy.

You'll also partner with senior leadership regularly challenging and provide insights to help drive our business forward.

What you'll get to do

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Lead budgeting and forecasting for all personnel-related costs, including payroll, benefits, and HR operational expenses.
• Own compensation budgets, including salary planning, incentive schemes, and total reward forecasting.
• Monitor and reconcile HR-related costs, investigating variances and ensuring data accuracy.
• Develop and maintain financial models and tools to support workforce planning, cost projections, and scenario analysis (e.g. restructures, new store openings).

Strategic HR Support

• Support business cases for HR initiatives such as headcount changes, compensation programs, and organisational design.
• Collaborate with HR Generalists and senior leadership to assess the financial impact of hiring plans and structural changes.
• Collaborate with Finance and the retail management team to optimise retail people costs and best fit structures by door.
• Maintain and manage salary bands, ensuring Talent Acquisition is informed of updates, especially during annual salary review periods.

Operational Execution

• Oversee month-end provisions and calculations for bonus schemes and salary reviews.
• Ensure accurate position management and organisational chart alignment in collaboration with local HR teams.
• Support internal and external audits related to HR financials.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as the key liaison between HR and Finance, ensuring alignment across planning cycles and financial reporting.
• Serve as the bridge between the HR Controlling team and local HR to ensure consistency in data and processes.

Process Improvement & Governance

• Drive continuous improvement in HR financial processes, systems, and controls.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls and data governance standards.
• Uphold Puig values and contribute to a positive, inclusive company culture.

We'd love to meet you if you have

• Proven experience in HR financial planning, including budgeting for people costs and FTE planning.
• Strong background in cost analysis, variance investigation, and financial reporting.
• Experience with accruals, rolling forecasts, and collaboration with finance teams.
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with HR, Finance, and senior stakeholders.
• Familiarity with headcount reporting and strategic workforce planning.
• Experience supporting audits and compliance processes.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and provide actionable insights.
• Financial acumen in budgeting, forecasting, and modelling within an HR context.
• Effective communicator with the ability to present complex data clearly to diverse stakeholders.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to align HR financial planning to business goals.
• Proficiency in HRIS, Excel (advanced), and financial planning tools.
• High attention to detail and discretion when handling sensitive data.
• Adaptability in a fast-paced, evolving environment with competing priorities.

A few things you'll love about us

• An entrepreneurial, creative and welcoming work culture
• A range of learning and development opportunities
• An international company with plenty of opportunities to grow
• A competitive compensation & benefits package