People Partner in London

Join us for an exciting and distinct Part‑time Distribution People Partnering Role within John Lewis’s progressive distribution area, renowned for its leading automation technology and unique, highly‑engaged environment. The Partnership’s People function remains critical to unlocking the success of our Partnership Plan, powering our collective commercial success, developing our leadership and people manager capability, enhancing Partner experience and delivering on the commitments of our Partnership model, today and in the years ahead.

As a People Partner at the John Lewis Partnership, you will be partnering out to Director Level, providing strategic coaching and support to leaders to maximise individual and team performance in order to drive the right culture. You will ensure that all people activity is aligned to the overarching people strategy that supports the business plan and objectives. You will also support the effective development and delivery of the Partnership People Plan, relevant to your business or shared capability area, by fostering an inclusive, empowering and collaborative culture and ensuring that People are aligned with the Partnership’s broader goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Work in collaboration with the relevant business leads, Senior People Partner and Centres of Expertise (CoE) to design and deliver the John Lewis Distribution People Plan.
• Play a pivotal role in supporting the business’s growth and success through effective talent, succession and performance management, leadership development and efficient change management.

Essential Skills / Experience

• Proven experience in an HR Business Partner role, with a track record of supporting senior leadership teams and driving strategic and commercial people initiatives in a complex, multi‑site, fast‑paced environment.
• Previous experience partnering large operational areas is essential.
• Strong knowledge of talent and performance management, leadership development and succession planning.
• Experience collaborating with People CoEs, especially in recruitment, Employee Relations, and learning & development in a matrix environment.
• Strong understanding of Diversity & Inclusion principles and experience implementing D&I strategies in a business context.
• Expertise in change management and driving People related change.

Desirable Skills / Experience

• Relevant HR qualifications (CIPD or equivalent) preferred.

Details

• Salary – £55,500 – £86,700 per annum
• Contract type – Permanent
• Hours of work – 21 hours per week (3 to 3.5 days per week)
• Working pattern / flexible working – Hybrid: based at our distribution centre in Magna Park with some travel to London Head Office and other locations as required, and also able to work from home.
• Location – Magna Park Distribution Centre, Fen Street, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK17 8EW
• Closing Date February 9, 2026

We’re the largest employee‑owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us. We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never knowingly underpriced at price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food‑lovers in Waitrose. As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect. We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can thrive. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective. As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.

Important points to note

It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre‑employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third‑party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles. We also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants. We want all of our Partners to have a good work‑life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.