Human Resources Business Partner in London

We are a modern affordable luxury handbag brand, crafting timeless and elegant styles that are made to last. Founded with a vision to do things differently, we create handbags that empower women, are sustainably sourced and ethically made, and give back to those who need it most. These principles guide everything we do. We are committed to driving change, championing equality, and celebrating women. Through our permanent charity initiative, ‘A Bag, A Life’, every purchase funds lifesaving vaccines and medical treatments for children in need, in partnership with SOS Children’s Villages. To date, we have funded over 1,000,000 vaccines. Join us and be part of an award-winning, purpose-driven brand that fosters creativity, collaboration, and meaningful impact within the luxury industry.

The role

As a trusted People Business Partner, you will provide expert HR support and guidance across the business, partnering with management to deliver the people agenda and drive engagement, performance, and growth. This role combines advisory support with hands-on delivery throughout the employee lifecycle, ensuring an exceptional experience that reflects DeMellier’s values and culture. You will work closely with the Head of People to deliver excellent service across the organisation and contribute to key initiatives that strengthen the People function, build a high‑performing culture, and elevate the employee experience during this exciting period of growth. This is a great opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast‑paced environment and enjoys contributing to a variety of projects and initiatives spanning all areas of HR.

Responsibilities

• Talent Acquisition & Onboarding: Partner with the TA Partner and managers to align hiring and development needs with business goals. Ensure onboarding processes are compliant with legal requirements (e.g., Right to Work checks) and reflect company culture and values. Support with the full recruitment cycle, including job postings, interviews, offers, and onboarding.
• People Operations: Oversee the employee lifecycle in line with company policies and procedures (offboarding, family‑friendly, contract changes, etc.). Maintain accurate and compliant employee records, contracts, and documentation. Manage the people inbox, ensuring queries are resolved or escalated appropriately. Keep HR policies, templates, and processes updated, ensuring alignment and compliance.
• Business Partnering & Support: Act as the first point of contact for managers on all HR matters, providing legally compliant and commercially sound advice. Coach and develop leaders to build people management capability and foster a high‑performance culture. Provide expert advice and case management on employee relations issues, ensuring fairness, consistency, and timely resolution. Drive the annual performance review process and support effective feedback and goal‑setting. Support career development, succession planning, and leadership growth.
• HRIS & Payroll: Ensure HRIS (HiBob) and payroll data are accurate and up to date at all times. Support the timely collation and submission of payroll information, liaising with external consultants. Contribute to continuous improvement of HR systems and processes. Provide people analytics, insights, and reports to inform data‑driven decision‑making.
• Culture & Projects: Act as a role model for company values and serve as a trusted contact for employees, ensuring a positive and supportive employee experience. Coordinate internal communications and support with the organisation of quarterly employee gatherings and engagement events. Support engagement activities and feedback mechanisms to strengthen employee satisfaction and retention. Lead and support people‑related projects to drive continuous improvement of people systems and processes, including international payroll and H&S. Deliver the people agenda and provide insights to inform the overall people strategy.

Experience & Qualifications

• CIPD Level 5 or above, with a strong foundation in HR best practice and employment law.
• 5+ years of experience as an HR Manager or HR Business Partner, as a standalone or in a small team, within the retail industry.
• Solid knowledge of UK employment legislation and ability to apply it in a practical, solutions‑focused way.
• Highly organised and adaptable, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and build trusted relationships at all levels.
• Knowledge of Spanish is a plus.
• Proficiency in HR software (HiBob) and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Analytical mindset with experience producing and interpreting people data and insights to drive strategic decisions.

Hybrid‑working policy offering flexible hours. Annual Leave package with additional (increases with length of service). Enhanced company maternity policy. Time given yearly to volunteer for a charity of your choice. Employee Discount: 50% off stock discount & up to 90% off seasonal sample sales.