Policy - HR Policy Manager

Whitbread PLC; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 78,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Up to 30% bonus

Health cover

10% matched pension

Job summary

Whitbread PLC in the UK is seeking an HR Policy Manager to own policy across our Support Centre and UK operations. This is a high-impact, fast-moving role shaping how employee policy is designed, interpreted, and applied for thousands of colleagues. You will lead on rights legislation, absence, performance-related policies, and the impact of AI in the workplace, collaborating with senior leaders and external bodies to stay ahead of change.

Qualifications

• Strong expertise in policy development in a large, multi-workforce organisation.
• Experience leading HR policy across a UK-wide footprint with senior stakeholders.
• Delivery-focused mindset and ability to navigate complex organisations.

Responsibilities

• Own HR policy across the Support Centre (Head Office) and Operations in the UK, Northern Ireland, Crown Dependencies and the Republic of Ireland.
• Collaborate with the Senior Leadership Team and Chief People Officer to design, interpret and bring policy to life for thousands of colleagues.
• Lead on evolving areas such as employee rights legislation, absence, and performance-related policy, plus the impact of AI and emerging technologies in the workplace.
• Represent the organisation externally, engaging with industry bodies and staying ahead of societal and legislative shifts.

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

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.