People Business Partner

Saga; Sandgate; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading travel company in the UK is looking for a People Business Partner to join their team in Folkestone. The role involves supporting managers with people-related queries and optimizing employee experience. Ideal candidates should have a strong knowledge of employment law and a passion for inclusive workplace culture. Flexible working arrangements are offered, allowing for a blend of remote and office work.

Benefits

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Pension scheme matched up to 10%

Company bonus up to 5%

Qualifications

• Good knowledge of employment law and case management procedures.
• Confident in handling sensitive conversations with staff.
• Ability to challenge and influence at senior level.

Responsibilities

• Deliver proactive support to business areas focusing on talent agenda.
• Promote an inclusive culture among colleagues.
• Manage third-party relationships relevant to the Travel business.

Skills

Employment law knowledge

Relationship management

Data management

Project management

Coaching skills

Tools

HR Systems

Job description

Overview

People Business Partner

Salary £35,000 to £45,000 depending on experience

Permanent

Hybrid / Folkestone

Saga Travel is recruiting for a People Business Partner to support our managers and colleagues, providing advice, guidance and support on all people matters. You’ll be the first line of support for colleague queries, ensuring swift resolution and maintaining high levels of satisfaction. Reporting to the People Director, you’ll support the wider people team in aligning HR strategies with business objectives, optimising employee experience, and contributing significantly to the overall success of the Travel business. This role demands a combination of strategic foresight, meticulous data management, and exceptional interpersonal skills to ensure the seamless operation and continuous improvement of all our HR functions.

We work in a hybrid way at Saga both at home and in the office. This role will work from Folkestone a minimum of 2 days a week, and on occasion will be required to travel to Crawley and Southampton offices.

Package Description

At Saga we recognise that our people make us special. We believe our colleagues deserve rewards for the excellence they demonstrate every single day, that's why we have put together an amazing benefits package for all colleagues.

BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO ALL COLLEAGUES:

• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Option to purchase additional leave - 5 extra days
• Pension scheme matched up to 10%
• Company performance related annual bonus - Up to 5%
• Life assurance policy on joining us, 4 x salary
• Wellbeing programme
• Colleague discounts including family discounts on cruises, holidays and insurance
• Range of reductions and offers from leading retailers, travel groups and entertainment companies
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Grandparents leave
• Income protection
• Access to Saga Academy, our bespoke learning platform

Main Responsibilities

As a People Business Partner you’ll work closely with both colleagues and leaders within the Travel business to deliver proactive, data-driven support to business areas.

• Delivering the operational talent agenda, enabling better capability and performance at every level and working with the Group People function to leverage central areas of expertise including Reward, Talent Acquisition, Learning and Communications.
• Embedding our purpose and values within leadership and colleague behaviours, challenging leaders when necessary.
• Promoting an inclusive culture where all colleagues are able to bring their full selves to work, where they are welcomed and feel able to speak up.
• Managing the colleague lifecycle so that every touchpoint is a positive experience for colleagues.
• Working collaboratively across Saga to ensure that my work supports the Group’s strategic initiatives and co-ordinate group function people initiatives back into the Travel business.
• Working closely with the Learning & Development Manager to design and develop impactful development schemes.
• Working closely with the Head of Crewing to drive consistency across the people & crewing agendas.
• Managing 3rd party relationships that are unique to the Travel Business, such as WiHTL, offshore call centres and other industry related partners.
• Helping to create a learning culture and seeking opportunities for leaders to coach, mentor, and inspire colleagues across the business.
• Participating in external networking to stay connected with business trends and changes.

The Ideal Candidate

You will already have a good knowledge of employment law and case management procedures with a strong understanding of the colleague lifestyle. You will be able to demonstrate a passion for people and natural curiosity to look beyond the “as is” and explore new trends and opportunities.

• Confident and able to conduct difficult and sensitive conversations with managers and colleagues
• Ability to challenge and influence at senior level
• Able to manage assigned case load and prioritise tasks
• Respects the importance of colleague experience
• Effective relationship management
• Able to deliver upskill training and coaching to line managers
• Demonstrate Business Acumen
• Project & Change Management
• Knowledgeable across HR Systems and has Data skills.

Saga Values: Make it Happen, Do the Right Thing, Customer First, Excellence Every Day, Our People Make Us Special

About The Company

Over the past 70 years we have become the UK's specialist provider of products and services to people aged over 50 in the UK. We’re one of the most recognised and trusted brands amongst UK consumers in this demographic, recognised for its high-quality products and exceptional standards of service. Our product portfolio includes cruises, holidays, insurance, personal finance products and our Saga Magazine.

We aim to be the most-trusted brand for older people in the UK. Our focus on delivering exceptional products and service empowers our colleagues to create moments that are personal and special for our customers and for each other. Our values underpin our approach and help guide us to deliver our purpose.

We’re committed to making sure that colleagues can be their best, be themselves and make a difference – more than anywhere else. We do this by creating a truly inclusive culture, where all colleagues can bring their full and authentic selves to work and be treated with dignity and respect in an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.

Thanks to our people, Saga has been ranked 6th in the UK’s Best Employers 2025 by the Financial Times and Statista. This recognition, based on the voices of 20,000 employees across the UK, is a testament to the great culture we’ve built together. This award belongs to all our colleagues who collectively make Saga a fantastic place to work.

We are champions of age inclusivity and signatories of the Age-Friendly Employer Pledge, we are proud of our multigenerational teams we have in place. We’re also a committed Disability Confident employer and ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible.

Your application will have fair consideration, and you’ll receive personal communication throughout your applicant journey when you apply to join Saga.

For more information on our DEI policies, colleague stories and other opportunities across the business, please visit Jobs and careers with Saga

Saga does not accept agency CVs unless specifically engaged on the role by the Talent Acquisition Team. Please do not forward CVs to our recruiters, employees or any other company location. Saga will not be responsible for any fees related to CVs received in this unsolicited manner.

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