At a Glance
- Tasks: Support HR strategy and partner with leaders across multiple locations.
- Company: Dynamic organisation focused on people development and growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, gym membership, health cash plan, and hybrid working.
- Other info: Flexible work environment with a focus on internal progression.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-growing company with exciting career opportunities.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR roles and strong understanding of UK employment law.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 45000 £ per year.
Location: Hemel Hempstead, Hybrid
Type: Full-time
Eligibility: You must be eligible to work in the UK
Salary: Circa £45,000 per annum
About the role
The People Partner will play a critical role in delivering the people strategy across the organisation, providing HR support and partnering closely with key stakeholders across the Group. This role will support multiple sites and business areas, including our Technical Services office in Greece, ensuring consistent, commercially focused, and high‑quality people support across all locations. The People Partner is a newly created and exciting opportunity born out of our rapid and continued growth, with ambitious expansion plans already firmly in motion. As our organisation scales, we are strengthening our People team to ensure we continue to deliver exceptional support across all areas of the business and all locations. We are proud to be a business that truly invests in its people. Internal progression is at the heart of our culture, and we have a strong track record of developing and promoting home‑grown talent into senior roles across the organisation. This role offers significant opportunity for growth, development, and the chance to make a real impact as part of a fast‑moving and evolving business.
Amongst other tasks, you will be responsible for:
- Strategic Business Partnering
- Act as a trusted People Partner to senior leaders and key stakeholders across the Group in multiple locations including London, Hemel Hempstead, Reading and Greece.
- Build strong relationships with business leaders to understand operational needs and deliver aligned people solutions.
- Support the delivery of the people strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
- Provide expert‑level (Tier 3) HR advice and guidance on complex employee relations cases.
- Manage sensitive and high‑risk cases including disciplinary, grievance, performance management, absence management, and restructuring.
- Ensure all casework is managed in line with employment law, internal policies, and best practice.
- Coach and support on complex case escalation and development.
- Ensure alignment of people practices across different regions while considering local requirements where applicable.
- Use people data and analytics to identify trends, risks, and opportunities across the workforce.
- Organisational Change & Transformation
- Support and lead on change‑management initiatives including restructures, TUPE, and organisational design projects.
- Partner with leaders to embed change effectively and support employee engagement throughout transitions.
- Drive initiatives that improve performance, engagement, and retention.
Key Skills
- Proven experience in a People Partner / HR Business Partner role.
- Strong background in complex employee relations case management.
- Strong understanding of UK employment law; international exposure desirable.
- Experience supporting organisational change and transformation.
- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills at senior level.
- CIPD qualification (Level 5 or above desirable).
- Commercially aware with strong business acumen.
- Collaborative, inclusive, and relationship‑focused.
- Proactive and solutions‑oriented mindset.
The successful candidate will have a willingness to undertake the responsibilities outlined in this job specification, while also being flexible and open to carrying out additional duties outside of this scope from time to time, in line with the evolving needs and priorities of the business.
Benefits
- Gym membership contribution
- Health Cash Plan
- Increased annual leave with length of service
- Free annual leave on your birthday
- Length of service bonus
- Hybrid working
- Free Will Writing service
- And more!
People Partner in Hemel Hempstead employer: Academia Ltd t/a Smartdesc
At Academia Ltd t/a Smartdesc, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Our London-based team enjoys flexible hybrid working arrangements, comprehensive professional development opportunities, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the field of Information Security. Join us to be part of a supportive environment where your expertise is valued and your growth is encouraged.
Contact Details:
Academia Ltd t/a Smartdesc Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People Partner in Hemel Hempstead
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, or even reach out to current employees at companies you're interested in. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Ace the Informational Interview
Don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. These chats can give you insider knowledge about the company culture and what they really look for in candidates. Plus, it shows your genuine interest in the role!
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. This will help you stand out as a candidate who can deliver results.
✨Apply Through Our Website
When you find a role that excites you, apply directly through our website. It not only streamlines your application but also shows us that you're serious about joining our team. We can't wait to see what you bring to the table!
We think you need these skills to ace People Partner in Hemel Hempstead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the People Partner role. Highlight your experience in HR, especially in complex employee relations and organisational change. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our people strategy. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've made an impact in previous roles, especially in stakeholder management and driving change.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Academia Ltd t/a Smartdesc
✨Know Your People Strategy
Before the interview, dive deep into the company's people strategy. Understand how they align their HR practices with business objectives. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're ready to contribute to their goals.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully built relationships with senior leaders in previous roles. Highlight your ability to influence and collaborate effectively, as this is crucial for a People Partner role.
✨Be Ready for Complex Case Discussions
Brush up on your knowledge of UK employment law and be prepared to discuss complex employee relations cases you've managed. Use specific examples to illustrate your expertise and problem-solving skills.
✨Emphasise Your Change Management Experience
Since the role involves supporting organisational change, come equipped with stories about your experience in leading change initiatives. Discuss how you've engaged employees during transitions and improved performance and retention.
