Area P&O Business Partner (Rome)

AniCura; Lombardia; Hybrid; EUR 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meal vouchers

Insurance coverage

Flexible working arrangements

Smart working

Exclusive discounts on AniCura and at;

Wellbeing programmes

Career development opportunities

Pet-friendly working environment

Job summary

AniCura is seeking an Area People & Organisation Partner to align people strategies with veterinary business needs across a designated Italian region. Based in Rome with 50% remote and 50% field-based work, you will drive talent management, onboarding, development, retention, and compliance.

You will partner with senior leaders, coach managers, use people analytics, manage employee relations, and champion inclusion while modelling AniCura and Mars Veterinary Health values.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• 5+ years experience in P&O business partnering, preferably multi-site or multi-country.
• Excellent Italian and English speaking and writing.
• Strong knowledge of labor laws and employment practices in the area.
• Proven ability to influence and build trusted relationships with senior leaders.
• Experience in change management and organizational development.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage complexity, ambiguity, and multiple priorities.
• Data-driven mindset with ability to interpret and act on people metrics.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Operating Unit leadership to understand business challenges and develop tailored people solutions across the region.
• Advise on organizational design and change management needs to support growth and transformation.
• Collaborate with area and hospital leadership to provide strategic, people-focused P&O support for veterinary practice.
• Support associate engagement through listening, pulse checks, and action planning.

Skills

P&O experience

Italian/English fluency

Stakeholder management

Organizational design

Change management

Data-driven mindset

Effective communication

Labor law knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Job description

Location – Rome: 50% remote, 50% field-based

Hours – 40 hours per week

Job Purpose

The Area People Partner (P&O BP) serves as the primary P&O business partner for an Operating unit. This role aligns people strategies with business needs, champions a culture of well-being, and cultivates a workplace where people flourish and pets thrive. The position drives operational excellence while offering strategic guidance, supporting leaders and associates across the full employee lifecycle—from onboarding and development to retention and compliance. This role exists to align people strategies with business goals, drive organizational performance, and enable workforce agility within the area.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with Operating Unit leadership teams to understand business challenges and develop tailored people solutions. Support talent management, workforce planning, performance management, succession, L&D initiatives and associate engagement initiatives across the region
• Advise on organizational design and change management needs to support business growth and transformation
• Partner with area and hospital leadership to understand business challenges and provide strategic, people-focused P&O support tailored to veterinary practice
• Support associate engagement through proactive listening, pulse checks, and action planning
• Lead associate relations, including investigations and disciplinary actions, ensuring compliance with labour regulations and company policies
• Collaborate with P&O Centers of Excellence and cross-functional teams (Legal, Benefits, Payroll, etc.) to implement policies, resolve associate issues, and drive the overall P&O strategy
• Use people analytics to identify trends, mitigate risk, and inform interventions
• Provide leadership coaching and facilitate training in people management, compliance, and best practices
• Champion inclusion and diversity initiatives, ensuring alignment with Mars’ values and principles
• Stay current on P&O issues and policy updates, ensuring timely communication and training within the team
• Represent and role-model Mars culture in all interactions, supporting key initiatives such as MAS follow-up and People Development Plan (PDP) execution
• The job responsibilities include board positions that may be required according to the needs of the company, as well as any tasks or representations for or on behalf of the company that may be required for the company to conduct its business in a country

Context and Scope

This role operates across multiple sites or hospitals in a designated region, balancing strategic and operational P&O responsibilities. It demands the ability to manage multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced, multicultural, and matrixed environment. The Area P&O Partner is a key influencer and connector between the field and corporate teams, contributing to both local success and broader enterprise goals.

Job Specifications/Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field
• 5+ years experience in P&O business partnering, preferably in a multi-site or multi-country context
• Excellent spoken and written Italian and English
• Strong knowledge of labor laws and employment practices within the area
• Proven ability to influence and build trusted relationships with senior leaders
• Experience in change management and organizational development
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage complexity, ambiguity, and multiple priorities
• Data-driven mindset with ability to interpret and act on people metrics
• Outstanding writing skills for documentation and case management
• Data-driven mindset with ability to interpret P&O metrics

Whatwe Offer

• Permanent employment contract
• Initial Remuneration: From €45.801,00 gross per annum at commencement of employment. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualised factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience and applicable collective agreements
• Applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement (CCNL): Commercio Terziario
• Classification Level: 1
• Relevant CCNL Provisions: The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, if eligible, including variable pay & general allowances (depending on the position and employee’s work schedule)
• Company welfare scheme including meal vouchers, insurance coverage, and additional employee benefits
• Flexible working arrangements and smart working
• Access to exclusive discounts on AniCura clinical services and at selected partners, including Royal Canin
• Access to wellbeing programmes, psychological support and employee assistance services
• Ongoing training, professional development programmes and career growth opportunities within an international group
• Pet-friendly working environment

About Us

AniCura is one of Europe’s leading providers of veterinary care, bringing together a network of veterinary clinics and hospitals dedicated to the health and well-being of companion animals. Our ambition is to shape the future of veterinary medicine through continuous collaboration, the sharing of best practices, and a commitment to our core values.

We are part of Mars Veterinary Health, the world's largest family-owned veterinary company. As part of this connected global network, we help care for millions of pets and support the people who love them every year. Being privately owned allows us to stay focused on our Purpose – A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS – and to invest in delivering high-quality pet healthcare at every stage.

At AniCura, caring for animals starts with caring for our people. We are proud of a culture built on collaboration, learning, and support, where colleagues are encouraged to develop both personally and professionally. Our people are at the heart of everything we do and are what truly sets us apart. When you join AniCura, you become part of something bigger, a growing international organisation that is helping to create a thriving future for veterinary care and the professionals who make it possible.

AniCura is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request by emailing [e-mail]. AniCura is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalised as a result of such a request.