People Partner in London

The People Partner is a strategic advisor and trusted partner to business leaders across the UK and Europe, providing end‑to‑end people leadership within a global operating model. This role works in close partnership with senior stakeholders to translate business strategy into impactful people solutions that enhance performance, engagement, and long‑term organisational health. Operating within a matrixed, international environment, the role requires strong judgement, cultural intelligence, and the ability to balance global consistency with local insight. The People Partner is a visible advocate of Manulife’s values, the “One HR” model, and our commitment to an inclusive and ethical workplace.

Manulife Investment Management and MCQS will be undertaking the integration of HR systems and employees over the next 12 months. During this transitional period, the incumbent will be accountable for ensuring that all existing HR operations continue to run smoothly and effectively within MCQS. This will include full oversight of payroll, HR cyclical activities (such as performance and reward processes), and recruitment, ensuring activities are delivered in a timely, compliant and professional manner. The role will play a fully active part in the integration programme, supporting process alignment, data migration, and employee transition activities. Strong TUPE knowledge and practical experience will be essential to successfully manage employee transfers and associated employee relations considerations.

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
  • Employee Engagement and Listening
  • Performance Planning and Goal Setting
  • Talent Review and Succession Planning
  • Annual Compensation and Reward Cycles
• 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 and professionally manage payroll, HR queries, recruitment and selection, global mobility, immigration, benefits, 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

When You Join Our Team

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.

Working Arrangement

Hybrid

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer. At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention, advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy‑related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law. It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies.