At a Glance
- Tasks: Support HR strategy and partner with leaders across multiple locations.
- Company: Dynamic organisation focused on people development and growth.
- Benefits: Gym membership, health cash plan, hybrid working, and extra annual leave.
- Other info: Flexible role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a fast-growing team and make a real impact in HR.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR roles and strong understanding of employment law.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 45000 £ per year.
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 employer: Academia Ltd t/a Smartdesc
As a People Partner at our Hemel Hempstead location, you will join a dynamic and rapidly growing organisation that prioritises the development of its employees. We offer a supportive work culture with a strong emphasis on internal progression, allowing you to grow your career while making a meaningful impact across multiple sites. With benefits like gym membership contributions, increased annual leave, and hybrid working options, we ensure our team members are well-supported and valued.
Contact Details:
Academia Ltd t/a Smartdesc Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People Partner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees on LinkedIn or at networking events. Ask them about their experiences and the company culture; it’s a great way to get insider info and make a good impression.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the company’s values and recent projects. We want to see how you can align with our people strategy and contribute to our growth, so come ready with ideas!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially around complex employee relations and change management. We love candidates who can demonstrate their problem-solving skills and HR expertise.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance of landing that People Partner position!
We think you need these skills to ace People Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the People Partner role. Highlight your experience in HR and any relevant skills that match the job description. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background aligns with our people strategy. Let us know what makes you the perfect fit for StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've successfully managed complex employee relations or led change initiatives. We love seeing results!
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. This will showcase your expertise and reassure them of your capability to handle sensitive situations.
✨Emphasise Your Change Management Experience
Think of specific instances where you've supported organisational change or transformation. Be ready to discuss how you engaged employees during transitions and drove initiatives that improved performance and retention.
