Senior HR Business Partner (Media / Media Production)

The Walt Disney Company; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading entertainment company based in London is seeking a Senior HR Business Partner to support its studio and corporate communications teams. This role requires significant experience in the Media industry and a proven record of managing senior client relationships. Ideal candidates will lead a high-performing team and shape the HR strategy in a dynamic environment. A collaborative approach and strong change management skills are essential.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Private medical insurance & dental care

Free Park Entry for family and friends

Disney Discounts on products and services

Excellent parental and guardian leave

Qualifications

• Significant experience within Media Production or Media industry.
• Proven experience in managing senior client relationships.
• Experience of leading a high-performing team.

Responsibilities

• Drive and deliver the HR people strategy in collaboration with leadership.
• Lead and motivate a high-performance HR team.
• Develop and deliver the people agenda aligned with the business strategy.

Skills

Senior HR Business Partner experience

Client relationship management at VP level

Change management experience

Collaborative working style

Multi-disciplinary HR experience

Education

CIPD or equivalent qualification

Job description

Senior HR Business Partner (Media / Media Production)

Job ID 10134414 Location London, United Kingdom Business The Walt Disney Company (EMEA) Date postedNov. 14, 2025

Job Summary

About the Role & Team Be you, be here, be part of the story!

At The Walt Disney Company, magic is more than just a word; it's a way of life. For a century, we've been inspiring imaginations, celebrating diversity, and bringing families together through our beloved stories, characters, and experiences. From our iconic theme parks and resorts to our groundbreaking films, television shows, interactive media and products, we're dedicated to creating magic that knows no bounds.

We are looking for a Senior HR Business Partner, with significant experience from within the Media / Media Production industry, to make a meaningful impact and be part of a dynamic team!

The successful Senior HR Business Partner will play a key role in supporting our studio group, platform distribution and corporate communications teams here at The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) and will form part of the UK & Ireland HR leadership team driving and enabling the delivery of the HR people strategy.

Reporting to the HR Director the key responsibility of the role is to provide HR leadership to the client groups and the team reporting into the position. This role will have line management responsibility for a HR Business Partner and a Senior HR Advisor.

Critical to the success of the position is managing a professional, effective and proactive relationship with the business by understanding their key business drivers and priorities and providing an effective interface with the Centres of Excellence to help the achievement of these.

Please Note: This is an office-based role. 4 days working in the Hammersmith, London office with 1 day working from home (Monday or Friday).

Join us in shaping the magic behind the scenes!

What You Will Do

• Contribute, drive and deliver the HR people strategy working in collaboration with the line of business leadership teams
• Lead, motivate and drive a high-performance team to deliver against the HR plan
• In partnership with your client group proactively lead the development and delivery of the people agenda, ensuring it aligned with the TWDC HR and business strategy
• Be an active member of your client group’s leadership team, proactively driving the HR agenda and provide support on business initiatives
• A key focus of the role is to have a good understanding of how the business operates, the key business challenges, drivers, financials as well as staying current on current industry trends, technology advances etc.
• Participate in and influence of the strategy planning process, the Annual Operating Planning process (AOP) as well as local business planning
• Pro-actively develop strong working relationships with key business and HR stakeholders, which enable a solution-orientated approach to delivering HR initiatives
• Apply commercial thinking and an understanding of the business and HR to provide pragmatic and informed HR solutions and ideas which meet both the business needs and fit with the HR agenda
• Proactively engage with the HR Centres of Excellent to obtain specialist advice and facilitate value-added solutions to your client groups.
• Pro-actively manage annual HR processes with the business and Centres of Excellence, for example:
• Reward & Recognition: Support the annual merit planning process by effectively working in partnership with the EMEA & Global Compensation and Benefits teams. Partner with your client group to ensure the merit and bonus process is effectively managed and delivers against the business objectives
• Talent Planning: Effectively manage the Talent Planning process with your client group, ensuring that talent is proactively managed throughout the year
• Performance Management: Support your client group in proactively managing the annual performance management process throughout the year
• Organisational Change: Support the business with changes to the structure, roles and org design as required

Required Qualifications & Skills

• An accomplished Senior HR Business Partner, with significant experience in leading initiatives within Media Production or Media industry
• A proven track record of managing senior client relationships, with experience in managing clients at VP level and above
• Significant experience supporting client groups with marketing, sales, distribution and communications backgrounds
• Experience of leading a high performing team
• Demonstrable multi-discipline Human Resources experience
• Experience of operating within an HR team partnership model
• Collaborative, positive working style with an ability to influence and persuade others
• Proven experience of significant change management/OD experience including restructures, redundancy, TUPE, compromise agreements and redeployment within EMEA
• Evident experience of multi-national, fast-paced, progressive commercial organisations
• Evident experience gained within a global multi-national or similar matrixed organisation
• CIPD (or equivalent qualification) or equivalent experience

The Perks

• 25 days annual leave
• Private medical insurance & dental care
• Free Park Entry: You will have the opportunity to enter any of our parks with your family and friends for free
• Disney Discounts: you are entitled to discounts on designated Disney products, resort F&B and ticketing
• Excellent parental and guardian leave
• Employee Resource Groups – WOMEN @ Disney, Disney DIVERSITY, Disney PRIDE, ENABLED, and our Mental Health & Wellbeing Group, TRUST.

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. Disney is committed to forming a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

About The Walt Disney Company (EMEA)

Disney EMEA aims to drive growth, innovation and brand affinity across an extremely diverse collection of countries with a team of over 6,000 employees operating in 59 markets with offices in 29 countries.

About The Walt Disney Company

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world‑class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with The Walt Disney Company Limited , which is part of a business we call The Walt Disney Company (EMEA) .

The Walt Disney Company Limited is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, colour, religion or belief, sex, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, disability or pregnancy or maternity. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.