At a Glance
- Tasks: Build trusted relationships and deliver impactful people plans for organisational growth.
- Company: Join a diverse and inclusive global team at Manulife.
- Benefits: Flexible work environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a culture that values well-being and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in shaping employee experiences and driving change.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field, with 4-6 years of relevant experience.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Position Responsibilities
- Strategic People Partnership: Build deep, trusted relationships with leaders, acting as a strategic advisor on all people-related matters. Partner with the business to co-create and deliver people plans that enable growth, resilience, and organisational effectiveness. Provide balanced, commercially grounded advice that aligns employee experience, regulatory obligations, and business outcomes. Coach leaders to strengthen inclusive leadership capability and create high-performing teams.
- HR Programme & Cycle Leadership: Lead the delivery of core global HR programmes across assigned client groups, including Employee Engagement and Listening, Performance Planning and Goal Setting, Talent Review and Succession Planning, and Annual Compensation and Reward Cycles. Ensure programmes are delivered with rigour, consistency, and strong stakeholder engagement, aligned to global standards and local requirements.
- Integration & Change Enablement: Act as a key People Partner supporting the integration of Manulife Investment Management and MCQS in the UK. Provide practical, on-the-ground support across organisational design, role harmonisation, workforce transition, and cultural integration. Support leaders and employees through change with empathy, clarity, and confidence, reinforcing Manulife’s values throughout the process.
- Employee Relations & Governance: Partner with leaders and global Centres of Expertise to manage employee relations matters effectively and in line with Manulife’s policies, values, and local legislation. Apply knowledge of UK employment law and TUPE to support business change and manage risk responsibly. Exercise sound judgement when navigating complex or sensitive situations, escalating appropriately while maintaining accountability.
- Workforce Insights & Data-Led Decision Making: Leverage Workday and workforce analytics to identify trends, risks, and opportunities. Translate data into clear, actionable insights that support leadership decision-making and workforce planning. Use insights to inform engagement, retention, capability, and succession strategies.
- One HR Model & Global Collaboration: Serve as a visible ambassador of the “One HR” model, ensuring seamless, customer-focused delivery of HR services. Collaborate closely with global Centres of Expertise (primarily in the US and Canada), ensuring the right expertise is engaged to meet business needs. Contribute to continuous improvement of HR processes, practices, and ways of working. Utilise centres of expertise to effectively manage payroll, HR queries, recruitment and selection, global mobility, immigration, benefits, and pensions.
- Enterprise & GWAM Initiatives: Actively participate in GWAM and enterprise-wide people initiatives and project work. Provide proactive support to the Global GWAM People Partner community, sharing insight, best practice, and lessons learned. Support GWAM succession planning and top talent development.
Skills & Capabilities:
- Advanced operational and analytical capability in Workday.
- Strong working knowledge of UK employment legislation, including TUPE.
- Demonstrated experience supporting organisational integration and harmonisation.
- Ability to operate credibly across multiple countries, cultures, and regulatory landscapes.
- Working knowledge of AI and digital HR tools, with a curiosity for innovation in HR.
- Strong coaching, consulting, and influencing skills.
- Confident in conflict leadership and complex stakeholder management.
- Excellent execution discipline, with strong project management skills.
- Resilient, pragmatic, and comfortable navigating ambiguity.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in HR or a related discipline.
- CIPD part-qualified or fully qualified (or equivalent).
- 4–6 years’ experience in an HR advisory, People Partner, or HR Business Partner role.
- Proven experience delivering people initiatives within a complex, matrixed organisation.
- Strong IT capability, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and HR systems.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in organisational effectiveness, change enablement, or workforce transformation.
- Exposure to reward, recognition, or performance frameworks.
- Experience within financial services.
Benefits: We’ll empower you to learn and grow the career you want. We’ll recognise and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words. As part of our global team, we’ll support you in shaping the future you want to see.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Manulife is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse workforce that reflects the diversity of the clients we serve. We strive to maintain fair hiring, retention, promotion, and compensation practices, and all our practices and projects will not discriminate based on race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or religious beliefs, gender (including pregnancy and related circumstances), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other factor protected by applicable law. Our priority is to eliminate barriers and provide equal employment opportunities. Human Resources representatives will make every effort to provide reasonable accommodation to applicants requesting assistance during the application process. Information shared by applicants requesting assistance will be stored and used in accordance with applicable law and Manulife’s policies.
People Partner employer: Manulife Financial
At Manulife, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of growth, inclusion, and well-being. As a People Partner in the UK, you will have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with leaders while driving impactful HR initiatives in a flexible environment that values your contributions. With a commitment to employee development and a collaborative global team, you'll be empowered to shape the future of our organisation and make a real difference in the lives of our employees.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People Partner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the HR field and let them know you're on the lookout for a People Partner role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity that’s not even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company culture and values. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their mission, especially around employee engagement and organisational effectiveness. We want to see you shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your professionalism.
✨Tip Number 4
Check out our website for the latest job openings! Applying directly through us not only gives you a better chance but also shows your genuine interest in being part of our team. Let’s get you that People Partner position!
We think you need these skills to ace People Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Stuff:Before you start writing, make sure you understand the role of a People Partner. Dive into the job description and highlight key responsibilities and skills. This will help you tailor your application to show how you fit the bill.
Be Authentic:We want to see the real you! Use your own voice in your application. Share your experiences and how they relate to the role. Authenticity goes a long way in making a connection with us.
Showcase Your Skills:Highlight your relevant skills and experiences that align with the job requirements. Whether it's your HR expertise or your knack for coaching leaders, make sure to back it up with examples that demonstrate your capabilities.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy and straightforward!
How to prepare for a job interview at Manulife Financial
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the job description and understand the key responsibilities. Familiarise yourself with terms like 'strategic people partnership' and 'employee relations'. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with what they’re looking for.
✨Showcase Your Coaching Skills
Since the role involves coaching leaders, prepare examples of how you've successfully coached others in the past. Think about specific situations where you helped someone improve their leadership capabilities or fostered a high-performing team.
✨Be Data-Driven
The job requires leveraging workforce analytics, so be ready to discuss how you've used data in previous roles. Bring examples of how you identified trends or made decisions based on data insights, especially in relation to employee engagement or performance planning.
✨Emphasise Change Management Experience
With integration and change enablement being crucial, prepare to talk about your experience in managing organisational change. Share stories that highlight your ability to support teams through transitions while maintaining empathy and clarity.
