People Partner

Hobbycraft; Burton upon Trent; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading crafting retailer in the UK seeks an experienced People Partner to drive the HR agenda and align people strategies with organizational goals. The role involves guiding leaders, enhancing employee engagement, and implementing HR initiatives. With a hybrid working model, the ideal candidate will have a strong background in HR business partnering, great interpersonal skills, and a passion for developing talent. The position includes various benefits such as a company car, pension contributions, and generous holiday allowances.

Benefits

Company pension contribution – up to 4%

33 days holiday

40% discount in stores

Employee Assistance Programme

Cash Health Plan

Subsidised gym membership

Qualifications

• Experience managing complex employee relations cases.
• Ability to manage a busy workload and meet deadlines.
• Confidence in holding stakeholders accountable.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Area Managers to drive the people agenda.
• Support recruitment and onboarding processes.
• Provide guidance on employee relations matters.

Skills

Proven HR Business Partner experience

Coaching and developing managers

Relationship building

Employment law knowledge

Analytical skills

Job description

Vacancy

Role: People Partner
Location: Field Based
Reference: HOB1160789
Closing Date: 14/12/2025 23:59

We’re looking for an experienced People Partner to join our team and play a pivotal role in aligning our people strategy with organisational goals. In this role, you’ll act as a trusted advisor to leaders, providing strategic guidance on talent management, employee engagement, and organisational development. If you thrive in a dynamic environment, enjoy building strong relationships, and have a track record of delivering impactful HR solutions, we’d love to hear from you.

Field Based, North/Midlands
Company Car
Pension with a 4% contribution
33 days holiday (increasing every year)
40% discount in our stores

Full‑time role, 37.5 hours per week. Flexibility is required. Our hybrid working model: 3 days in the office, 2 days working from home.

In this role you will partner with Area Managers and their leadership teams across your regions to drive the people agenda, strengthening both business performance and employee engagement. You’ll work closely with central HR teams to ensure consistent application of HR policies, provide expert advice on people matters, and implement initiatives that align with the company’s values and objectives.

Reporting to the Head of People your main responsibilities will be:

Strategic HR Partnership

• Collaborate with Area and store managers to understand business needs and deliver HR solutions that support growth and creativity.
• Act as a trusted advisor on workforce planning, organisational design and development.

Talent & Culture

• Support recruitment and onboarding processes to ensure we attract individuals who share our passion for creativity and customer service.
• Drive initiatives that promote a positive, inclusive, and inspiring workplace culture.
• Lead the performance and talent agenda within your regions, ensuring leaders build robust succession plans and development plans for emerging and high‑potential talent. Ensure plans are in place to tackle poor performance.

Learning & Development

• Work in partnership with the L&D Manager to design and implement learning interventions that address identified needs, ensuring programmes are tailored for both retail and creative roles.
• Provide coaching to managers to enhance their ability to conduct effective performance discussions and develop their leadership skills, supporting them in leading their teams successfully.

Employee Relations & Wellbeing

• Provide guidance on employee relations matters, ensuring fair and consistent practices.
• Promote wellbeing initiatives that support mental health, work‑life balance, and job satisfaction.

Engagement

• Partner with Area Managers to build an engaged, motivated workforce by implementing initiatives, monitoring engagement data, and driving actions that enhance employee experience and retention.
• Help shape company‑wide engagement and recognition programmes.

HR Operations & Compliance

• Use HR data (turnover, absence, engagement etc.) and insights to inform decisions and improve employee experience.
• Support the HR Shared Service Centre to deliver accurate, timely advice to colleagues and managers.

Project Work

• Participate in projects and carry out any other duties that may be required.

Relevant Experience/skills

• Proven HR Business Partner experience, preferably in retail or multi‑site roles.
• Able to coach and develop managers to deliver improved performance through their people.
• Confident in building relationships, influencing others, and holding stakeholders accountable.
• Solid employment law knowledge and experience managing complex ER cases.
• Experience of leading successful projects which deliver improvements for colleagues.
• Ability to manage a busy workload and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong analytical skills for interpreting data and delivering actionable insights.
• Willingness to travel extensively within the region.

Benefits

• Birthday Day Off
• Hybrid Working
• Company pension contribution – up to 4%
• Employee Assistance Programme provided by Retail Trust
• Cash Health Plan with Health Shield
• Contribution towards eyesight test and glasses
• Subsidised gym membership
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Long service awards and gifts
• Continuous training, development, and performance management
• Colleague Social Events throughout the year including Summer and Christmas events

We are completely committed to supporting anyone with a disability in applying for our vacancies. If you have a disability and require support throughout our recruitment process, you can contact us at [e-mail] and let us know what adjustments you may need.

Hobbycraft is an equal‑opportunity employer. We celebrate the joy of crafting and all of our colleagues and customers. We are committed to equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging, and we regularly review our policies and practices to ensure compliance and best practice from an employment perspective.

About Us

Our passion for craft is at the centre of everything we do. This is reflected in our creative and knowledgeable Hobbycraft store colleagues, who are always on hand to help, and our vast, carefully selected range of quality products. Throughout the year we also host workshops and demos in stores and online, designed to help everyone master a new craft or refine a beloved one.

We're here to support everyone on their crafting journey, from parents looking to encourage their creative kids, to student artists, expert knitters, model‑making hobbyists and more! Why not come into your local Hobbycraft store today and find the perfect craft for you?

What’s Needed

• Customer service
• Creative
• Knowledgeable