At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR operations, support growth, and enhance employee experience at Sofa Club.
- Company: Sofa Club, a growing brand with a creative and supportive culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 28 days leave, health insurance, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Join a team that values creativity and offers a chance to build impactful processes.
- Why this job: Shape the future of HR while making a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Strong HR experience, knowledge of UK employment law, and excellent people skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
As Senior HR Business Partner, you'll lead the operational People function at Sofa Club, acting as the most senior HR professional within the business. This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for building scalable people practices, supporting ambitious growth plans, and ensuring the business has the right structures, processes, and support in place as we continue to expand. You'll act as a trusted advisor to managers and senior leaders, taking ownership of employee relations, recruitment, performance management, HR systems, compliance, workforce planning, and employee experience.
We're looking for someone who can balance strategic thinking with operational delivery. Someone who enjoys creating structure, improving processes, and rolling up their sleeves to make things happen. With multiple new showroom openings planned and continued business growth ahead, this role will play a critical part in shaping the future of the People function and supporting the wider business.
Key Responsibilities- HR Leadership & Business Partnering: Act as the senior People lead and trusted advisor to managers and leadership teams across the business. Support workforce planning and organisational growth initiatives. Coach managers on people management, performance, and leadership capability. Drive consistency and best practice across all people related activities. Partner with leaders to identify opportunities, risks, and people priorities.
- Employee Relations & People Support: Lead all employee relations matters including disciplinaries, grievances, absence management, capability, and performance concerns. Coach managers to handle people issues confidently and fairly. Manage complex and sensitive situations with professionalism and sound judgement. Ensure people decisions are legally compliant, commercially sound, and aligned with company values.
- Recruitment & Talent: Lead recruitment processes and support hiring managers across the business. Build scalable recruitment frameworks and improve hiring processes. Support workforce planning for new showroom openings and business growth. Drive a positive candidate experience and strengthen employer brand activity. Track recruitment performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Performance & Development: Lead and continuously improve performance management processes. Support managers with performance improvement plans and development conversations. Build frameworks that encourage accountability, progression, and high performance. Identify talent, succession, and development opportunities across the business. Support management capability through coaching and development initiatives.
- HR Operations & Compliance: Partner with the Legal & Compliance Director to support the implementation of company policies and employment related processes. Provide guidance on UK employment law and HR best practice. Oversee contracts, right to work checks, employee records, and HR administration. Maintain high standards of compliance across all employee lifecycle activities. Continuously improve processes to support a growing business.
- People Systems & Reporting: Own and optimise BrightHR as the central People platform. Maintain accurate employee data and reporting. Produce people metrics and dashboards to support decision making. Use data and insights to identify trends, risks, and opportunities. Support payroll processes and people related reporting requirements.
- Employee Experience & Engagement: Support initiatives that improve engagement, retention, and employee experience. Champion Sofa Club's values and culture across the business. Help create an environment where people feel supported, challenged, and able to grow. Partner with leaders to drive engagement and wellbeing initiatives.
We're looking for someone who combines strong HR fundamentals with energy, commercial awareness, and a people first mindset. You’ll thrive here if you:
- Have strong generalist HR experience, ideally within a growing or scaling business.
- Have experience managing employee relations cases end to end.
- Possess excellent knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practice.
- Enjoy building processes, frameworks, and scalable solutions.
- Are commercially minded and understand the link between people and business performance.
- Can balance strategic thinking with operational delivery.
- Are confident influencing and challenging stakeholders at all levels.
- Have experience supporting multi-site or retail environments (desirable).
- Are highly organised, proactive, and solutions focused.
- Want to build something rather than simply inherit it.
Be part of a growing brand with real creative freedom and input. Access to a supportive and ambitious team culture. Opportunity to grow your career as we scale our in-house comms function. Competitive salary 28 days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays Friends and Family Discount Enhanced Family Leave Life Assurance Employee Assistance Programme Health Insurance Cycle to Work Scheme Electric Car Scheme Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme Quarterly Bonus Scheme.
Senior HR Business Partner in Hertford employer: Job Search Place Limited
At Sofa Club, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and supportive work culture. As a Senior HR Business Partner, you'll have the opportunity to shape our people practices while enjoying a competitive salary, generous annual leave, and a range of benefits including health insurance and a cycle to work scheme. Join us in a growing brand where your contributions will be valued, and you can thrive in your career amidst ambitious growth plans and a collaborative team environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior HR Business Partner in Hertford
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Job Search Place Limited!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Job Search Place Limited.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior HR Business Partner in Hertford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Job Search Place Limited. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Job Search Place Limited and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Job Search Place Limited. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Job Search Place Limited's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Job Search Place Limited
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Job Search Place Limited.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Job Search Place Limited will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Job Search Place Limited and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
