People Business Partner - Reading

Gather & Gather; Reading; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food service company in Reading is seeking a People Business Partner to enhance its people strategy in the region. The role focuses on engaging employees, implementing strategic initiatives, and championing wellbeing and diversity within teams. Ideal candidates will be natural leaders, commercially savvy, and thrive in fast-paced environments. Join this vibrant team to help create memorable experiences and foster a supportive culture.

Benefits

Personal Development and Training opportunities

Life assurance scheme

Pension scheme

Holiday allowance

Access to Healthcare Support App

Regular social events

Qualifications

• Ability to lead and connect with diverse teams.
• Experience in hospitality or retail environments.
• A focus on employee wellbeing and engagement.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a regional people strategy.
• Partner with operational teams to drive engagement.
• Lead people projects and initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Employee engagement

Influencing

Adaptability

Commercial acumen

Job description

This is a hands‑on and strategic role where you'll help bring our people strategy to life and adapt to the regional nuances through a strategic regional people plan – from hiring great talent and supporting their growth, to championing wellbeing, diversity, and engagement. You'll be a trusted asset to the region, a change maker, and a culture ambassador, helping our teams deliver legendary experiences while feeling proud, supported, and inspired every day.

We're after someone who's all about people. Someone who brings energy, empathy, and a bit of spark to everything they do.

Key Qualities

• You're a natural leader who knows how to build trust and connect with people at every level.
• You've got regional experience and know what it takes to partner with senior and operational teams to make great things happen.
• You're commercially switched on, confident with budgets and numbers, and always thinking about how to balance people needs with business goals.
• You thrive in fast‑paced environments like retail or hospitality, and you're not afraid to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in.
• You're adaptable and forward thinking, always looking for ways to improve, evolve, and make a difference.
• You've led people projects and know how to turn strategy into action, whether it's launching new initiatives or supporting teams through change.

Our Ideal Candidate

• Ability to influence
• Focused on employee engagement
• Keen to support a brand through cultural transformation
• Hospitality experience would be preferred but not essential

At Gather & Gather, great food in the workplace isn't simply about fuel. It's about increasing productivity and improving performance; it's about happy motivated people and inspiring environments. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do – we live to bring food and people together.

We are brave, bold and curious adventurers in food and drink. Never shy of being different, always challenging the conventional. Our passionate team of chefs, baristas, servers, nutritionists and much more, love nothing more than creating memorable moments that enrich the everyday. Come and join our award‑winning teams – we are currently recruiting for a People Business Partner to join our team in the South.

Working with Gather & Gather has its perks! People are at the heart of everything we do, so we've developed a range of benefits to keep you happy.

Benefits

• Personal Development and Training opportunities
• Life assurance scheme
• Pension scheme
• Holiday allowance
• Access to Healthcare Support App which includes Annual health check, Digital GP, Mental Health Consultations, Nutritional Consultations, Second Medical Opinion
• Eye care
• A great wellbeing strategy – including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, salary finance
• Family friendly support
• Regular social events and communication with our leaders
• A holiday purchase scheme
• Volunteering days
• Professional subscriptions
• Recognition schemes and people awards
• Long service awards
• Access to some great high‑street discount vouchers