Policy - HR Policy Manager

Whitbread; Houghton Regis; Hybrid; GBP 78,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Up to 30% bonus

Health insurance

10% matched pension

Bens

Job summary

Qualifications

• Policy development experience in large, multi-site organisations.
• Ability to navigate senior stakeholders and drive accountability.
• Strong delivery-focused mindset with a strategic, big-picture view.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR policy across the Support Centre and Operations UK, NI, Crown Dependencies and ROI.
• Collaborate with the Senior Leadership Team and Chief People Officer to design and implement policy.
• Advise on employee rights legislation, absence, performance management, and AI impacts in the workplace.
• Represent the organisation externally with industry bodies and forums.
• Shape policy in response to external changes and ensure implementation across thousands of colleagues.

Job description

Role

HR Policy Manager

Location

Dunstable (LU5 5XE), hybrid working 3 days in the office, 2 days working from home/another location

Function

People

Salary/Grade

£78,000 - £83,000 dependant on skills and experiences + car allowance worth £5,650 + up to 30% bonus + health + 10% matched pension + bens

Job Description

Are you ready to shape the future of people policy in a complex, fast-moving organisation? This is a rare opportunity to step into a high-impact HR Policy Lead role, operating at the heart of business transformation and legislative change.

You’ll take ownership of HR policy across our Support Centre (Head Office) and Operations spanning the UK, Northern Ireland, Crown Dependencies and the Republic of Ireland. You’ll also work closely with the Senior Leadership Team, working closely with the Chief People Officer, influencing how policy is designed, interpreted, and brought to life for thousands of colleagues across a diverse, multi-site workforce.

You will lead on cutting-edge and evolving areas such as employee rights legislation, absence, management of performance and the impact of AI and emerging technologies in the workplace. You will also represent the organisation externally, collaborating with industry bodies, contributing to forums, and staying ahead of societal and legislative shifts.

We’re looking for someone who thrives in complexity: a confident facilitator who can navigate senior stakeholders, balance detail with big-picture thinking, and drive accountability across the business. You’ll bring strong expertise in policy development (recently applied within a large, multi-workforce organisation), alongside a sharp, delivery-focused mindset.

What makes this role truly exciting is the scope for impact. You’ll shape how policy evolves in response to a rapidly changing external landscape, influence leadership thinking, and play a visible role at both internal and external forums.

If you enjoy working at pace, tackling ambiguity, and seeing your work directly shape employee experience at scale, this is your opportunity to make a real difference.

Be at the forefront of change. Shape policy. Influence the future of work.

We believe that everyone is unique and there should be no barriers to entry and no limits to ambition. We are committed to being an inclusive organisation that values diversity and welcomes your application whatever your background or situation.

Under-represented groups such as women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities & members of the LGBTQIA+ community (those who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans and non-binary or those who use a different LGBTQIA+ term), are strongly encouraged to build a career with us. Speak to us about workplace adjustments, part-time and flexible working. Where possible we will support this.

Job ref

209833-4492

Advertised

08 Sep 2026