Senior HR Business Partner

PENTLAND; London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global family business seeks a Senior HR Business Partner to shape impactful people strategies and support HR operations. This role involves team leadership, employee relations management, and driving engagement initiatives within a dynamic retail environment, offering competitive benefits and a focus on inclusivity.

Benefits

Competitive + discretionary bonus

25 Days Holiday

Brand discounts

Family-Friendly Benefits

Health Perks

Travel Perks

Flexible Working

Qualifications

• Strong grasp of UK employment law and managing complex ER cases.
• Experience in leading or mentoring HR professionals.
• Commercial mindset to translate business goals into people plans.

Responsibilities

• Oversee HR BP team, ensuring first-class partnering service.
• Partner with senior leaders to shape people strategies.
• Act as trusted advisor on complex employee relations matters.

Skills

Coaching

Analytical skills

Strategic mindset

Collaboration

DE&I commitment

Education

CIPD Level 5 qualification

Tools

SAP SuccessFactors

Teamtailor

Qualtrics

Job description

We're Pentland Brands; a dynamic, global family business, and proud owners and licensees of many iconic active and footwear brands. With a community of over 1,300 team members worldwide, we embrace diversity and inclusion, and champion growth and development. Our success is built on teamwork, courage, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

WHAT'S THE MISSION FOR THIS ROLE?

We are seeking a strategic, results-driven, forward-thinking Senior HR Business Partner. In this role, you'll collaborate with senior leaders to shape and deliver impactful people strategies that support business goals while also acting as the manager and leader of a group of HR Business Partners.

You will support the Head of HR (UK) in leading on HR operations, employee relations, organisational design, and change initiatives, while championing Pentland's values and fostering a high-performance culture.

WHAT DOES THIS ROLE DO?

As our Senior HR Business Partner, you will be responsible for:

HR BP Team Leadership

• Oversee and act as line manager for the wider HR BP population, upskilling and coaching to ensure we are providing a first-class partnering service to the business.
• Play a key role in shaping how we partner with the business by continuously raising the bar of HR delivery.
• Lead and contribute to UK-wide people projects that extend beyond your functional areas.
• Ensure our team processes are optimised and fit for purpose, finding efficiencies and automations where possible.

Functional Area HR Partnership

• Partner with senior leaders of specific functional areas to develop and deliver effective people strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Build trusted relationships with your functional leaders to influence decision-making and drive forward business priorities through people.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to your leadership community on organisational design, workforce planning, and succession planning, ensuring consistency with the wider HR BP population
• Influence and challenge leadership teams to drive performance, engagement, and cultural alignment.

Employee Relations

• Act as a trusted advisor on complex employee relations matters, providing sound legal and commercial advice.
• Lead and resolve ER cases, including grievances, disciplinaries, and performance management.
• Act as point of escalation (alongside Head of HR) for complex cases.
• Lead the HR BP team to empower and upskill line managers to manage people effectively and confidently, preventing issues before they arise.

Engagement

• Drive initiatives that enhance employee engagement and create a positive workplace culture.
• Support and advise on the roll-out of our annual employee engagement surveys, and quarterly pulse survey.
• Champion listening strategies that help us understand what matters most to our people and take meaningful action.

Change Management & Organisational Development

• Partner with business leaders and our Change Team on change management programs, ensuring effective communication and minimal disruption.

HR Analytics & Reporting

• Translate HR data into compelling strategies, narratives, and actionable insights for your managers and senior leaders.
• Use HR data and insights to inform decision-making, identify trends, and recommend interventions.

WHAT DO I BRING TO THE ROLE?

You just might be our next superstar if you have the following skills and experience:

Essential:

• A strong grasp of UK employment law, with confidence managing complex and sensitive ER cases.
• Proven ability to coach and influence senior stakeholders, challenging when needed to drive better outcomes.
• Experience in leading or mentoring HR professionals, with a passion for raising the standard of HR partnering.
• A commercial and strategic mindset, with the ability to translate business goals into effective people plans.
• Strong analytical skills, using people data and insights to inform decision-making and measure impact.
• A collaborative, solutions-focused approach, with a track record of driving engagement, inclusion, and cultural alignment.
• A deep understanding of and commitment to embedding DE&I into people initiatives, and a belief in building inclusive, equitable workplaces.
• Confidence in working with tech and systems, and an openness to exploring how AI and digital tools can enhance how we work - as we embark on our AI transformation journey.
• Experience supporting change and organisational development initiatives, ideally in a matrixed or evolving environment.

Desirable:

• Experience in the retail, consumer goods, or fashion industry.
• Familiarity with our HR systems (SAP SuccessFactors, Teamtailor, Qualtrics) and data analytics tools.
• CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent.
• Experience with UK HR practices and employment law.

We want you to live our company principles, bringing a strong consumer focus, while always looking for ways to improve and grow in your role. Take ownership of your work and be proactive in solving problems whilst communicating openly and treating everyone with respect and kindness. And, of course, let your creativity shine by bringing your unique style and individuality to the Pentland Brands Team.

Senior HR Business Partner | London, Farringdon | Permanent, full time

WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME?

• Competitive + discretionary bonus
• 25 Days Holiday: Increases with length of service and the option to purchase additional days to suit your needs.
• Discounts: Brand discounts (including friends and family and JD Sports), Sample Sales, and other retail discounts and perks.
• Family-Friendly Benefits: Generous enhanced parental leave policies
• Health Perks: Choose from a variety of health-related perks including medical cash plan, critical illness cover, life assurance, gym and fitness discounts, dental insurance, eye care, and health screening to maintain your wellbeing.
• Travel Perks: Take advantage of our season ticket loan, cycle to work schemes, electric car schemes, and discounts on home charging units to support eco-friendly commuting.
• Flexible Working: We offer hybrid working and flexible working hours, allowing you to start your day earlier or later to help with commute costs or personal commitments.
• Chance to join our Charity, D&I and Sustainability employee networks.

As an equal opportunity employer, we're committed to fostering diversity and creating an inclusive culture across our business, stores, and office environment.

We warmly welcome your application.