At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR initiatives and support luxury retail stores across multiple locations.
- Company: Join Hermès, a prestigious brand known for its commitment to excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, employee discounts, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a passionate team dedicated to elevating service and leadership.
- Why this job: Shape the people culture in a dynamic environment while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Extensive HR experience in luxury retail and strong knowledge of UK employment law.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
As Hermès enters an exciting phase of strategic expansion within GB, we are seeking an inspiring and deeply human, relationship-centred HR leader to join our HR leadership team. We are looking for a highly experienced HR Business Partner (HRBP) to support the success of our stores in the following locations: Harrods, Cadogan, Royal Exchange, Manchester & Dublin and support our Mayfair Head Office across all functions. You will act as a trusted partner to the HR Director as well as the leadership team in both retail and head office, providing expert HR guidance and strategic support across all areas of people management.
The ideal candidate will combine technical excellence in UK employment law and complex HR case management with a strong, engaging personality, demonstrating emotional intelligence, leadership presence, and the ability to build credibility at all levels of the business.
Key Responsibilities- Leadership & Culture: Champion the company culture, ensuring that brand values and behaviours are embedded at every level. In partnership with the Leadership team, coach and guide managers to strengthen effective people management capability, communication, and team engagement. Lead initiatives that drive a high-performing, inclusive, and wellbeing-focused workplace. Build strong and trusted relationships across Hermès GB at all levels aligned with our values. Develop & nurture trusted relationships at every level, influencing outcomes through credibility, emotional intelligence and commercial insight. Lead, coach, and nurture the HR team, developing their capability, confidence, and cohesion to form a high performing, people-centred HR function.
- Strategic Partnership: Play a pivotal role in shaping our people culture and supporting our ambitious growth journey. Work alongside the HR Director to partner with the Store Directors and SLT to shape and deliver a people strategy that supports business growth, service excellence, and culture. Be the HR leader for a portfolio of UK stores, supporting a workforce of approximately 300 employees across head office, retail, operations, client experience and management teams.
- Employee Relations & Employment Law: Be the HR lead for complex employee relations cases, ensuring compliance with UK employment law, internal policies and ethical business practices. Provide expertise, advise and coach managers on disciplinary, grievance, performance, and capability processes, ensuring legal compliance and the highest standards of fairness and integrity. Manage sensitive investigations and case reviews with professionalism, discretion, sound judgement and a balanced people-centred approach. Lead on employment law updates and ensure leaders are informed, skilled and compliant.
- Operational Excellence: Collaborate with the wider HR Team and Payroll to ensure seamless employee lifecycle management (onboarding, contracts, compensation, leavers, etc.). Analyse and present people metrics (attrition, absence, organisational trends) translating data into insights and actionable recommendations for leadership. Drive continuous improvement across HR systems, processes and employee experience contributing to HR projects. Ensure best-in-class standards of governance, risk management and employee communications.
- Extensive experience as a Senior HRBP or senior HR generalist within luxury retail, hospitality, or a premium brand environment.
- Deep and up to date knowledge of UK employment law and a proven track record in managing complex ER cases.
- Experience supporting multi-site operations (approximately 300 employees).
- Can demonstrate strong strategic capability with the confidence to operate at senior leadership level.
- Exceptional influencing, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to challenge constructively and with empathy.
- A coaching led, empowering approach with strong emotional intelligence with the ability to lead and grow a developing HR team.
- High professionalism, confidentiality, cultural awareness, and alignment with Hermès values.
- Experience with HR systems and analytics platforms (e.g., Oracle).
- Exposure to Irish employment law beneficial, though not essential.
- A natural leader with gravitas, confidence, and genuine warmth with a humanistic & relationship-driven approach to HR.
- A solutions-focused mindset, balancing strategic thinking with operational excellence.
- Calm, composed, and resilient in complex, quality-focused environments.
- A values-driven ambassador for Hermès; demonstrating integrity, respect, and excellence.
- Passionate about elevating service, people experience, and leadership capability.
Senior HR Business Partner – Luxury Retail (Multi-Site) employer: Hermès
Hermès is an exceptional employer that champions a culture of inclusivity and well-being, making it an ideal workplace for those passionate about luxury retail. With a strong focus on employee development and strategic growth, the company offers unique opportunities to influence people management across prestigious locations such as Harrods and Mayfair. Joining Hermès means being part of a values-driven team that prioritises emotional intelligence and leadership presence, ensuring a rewarding and meaningful career journey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior HR Business Partner – Luxury Retail (Multi-Site)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the luxury retail space. Attend industry events, join relevant online groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to current employees at Hermès. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by knowing your stuff! Research Hermès’ culture, values, and recent news. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission and how you can contribute to their growth. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but the right fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! When discussing your past experiences, frame them in a way that highlights your strategic thinking and emotional intelligence. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to keep it structured and impactful.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After an interview, send a thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a great way to reinforce your interest in the role and keep you top of mind for the hiring team. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior HR Business Partner – Luxury Retail (Multi-Site)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Personality:When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to express your passion for HR and luxury retail. Make sure your tone matches the inspiring and human-centric vibe of Hermès.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in luxury retail or similar environments. We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate their strategic capability and hands-on approach, so connect your past roles to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Be Specific About Your Skills:Don’t just list your skills; provide examples of how you’ve used them in real situations. Whether it’s managing complex employee relations cases or leading a team, we want to know how your expertise aligns with our needs at Hermès.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hermès
✨Know Your HR Stuff
Make sure you brush up on UK employment law and complex HR case management. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your experience that demonstrate your expertise, especially in a luxury retail context.
✨Showcase Your Emotional Intelligence
Hermès values a humanistic approach, so be prepared to share how you've built strong relationships in previous roles. Think of instances where your emotional intelligence helped resolve conflicts or improve team dynamics.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Be ready to talk about how you've contributed to shaping people strategies in past positions. Highlight any initiatives you've led that drove culture change or improved employee engagement, particularly in multi-site operations.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-life HR situations. Prepare scenarios where you had to manage complex employee relations cases or coach managers through challenging situations, showcasing your ability to balance strategy with operational excellence.
