At a Glance
- Tasks: Support leaders in HR matters, drive cultural change, and manage employee relations.
- Company: Join McCarthy & Stone, the UK's leading retirement community developer.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus, health benefits, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and diverse environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on people's lives while developing your HR skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR, strong UK employment law knowledge, and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
Are you a confident and commercially minded HR professional who thrives on building trusted stakeholder relationships, navigating complex employee relations matters, and driving positive cultural change? Do you bring strong UK employment law knowledge, excellent influencing skills, and the confidence to support and challenge senior leaders in a fast‑paced operational environment?
We are looking for a proactive and solutions‑focused People Partner to join our Southern Division on a 12‑month maternity cover contract, supporting developments across the southern counties. This is a highly visible partnering role where stakeholder management, coaching capability, and hands‑on ER expertise will be critical to success.
You will be experienced in managing a broad range of employee relations casework, including complex and sensitive matters, providing pragmatic, risk‑aware advice while balancing commercial priorities with colleague experience. You will be comfortable operating in a healthcare or care‑related environment where pace, empathy, resilience, and sound judgement are essential.
Alongside strong operational HR capability, you will have the confidence to influence leaders at all levels, challenge constructively, and build credibility quickly across a diverse stakeholder group. You will also bring strong analytical capability, using people data and insight to support decision‑making and drive continuous improvement.
With proven change management experience, you will help leaders navigate organisational change effectively while maintaining engagement, performance, and operational stability. This role will involve regular travel across developments within the Southern Division, with an expectation of spending a couple of days each week on site.
You may already be working as a People Partner or HR Business Partner, or you could be an experienced Senior HR Advisor ready to step into a broader partnering role. What sets you apart is your ability to build trusted relationships, manage complexity with confidence, and support leaders to create high‑performing, engaged teams.
We will give you:
- Competitive Salary + Discretionary Bonus
- Company Pension Scheme
- Life Assurance
- Professional Subscriptions paid for
This role is based at our Bournemouth Office and offers a flexible working pattern: two/three days at developments, and two/three days working from home.
- 2 fully paid volunteering days per year (supported by the McCarthy & Stone Foundation)
- Health benefits such as Private Health Care (Employee Only); Remote GP, 24/7 access to EAP Services (including counsellors and legal advisors) and eyecare voucher
- Colleagues Benefit Booklet with a range of store offers discounts and promotions
- Family Friendly Policies
Your Impact
As a People Partner, you will:
- Act as a trusted advisor, coaching and guiding managers on all people matters, from engagement and performance to ER cases.
- Lead and implement people initiatives across engagement, ED&I, succession planning, and talent management.
- Deliver the people strategy with confidence, supporting leaders to embed policies, values, and a high‑performing culture. Use people metrics to identify trends and shape effective, data‑driven interventions.
- Champion employee engagement, supporting programmes such as monthly pulse surveys and Great Place to Work.
- Partner with stakeholders to plan and deliver change, ensuring smooth transitions and strong communication.
Your Attributes
- Trusted Relationship Builder - builds credibility quickly and influences stakeholders at all levels through strong communication, professionalism, and partnership.
- ER Specialist - Confidently manages complex employee relations matters with sound judgement, empathy, and a strong understanding of employment law and risk.
- Commercial Thinker - Balances operational priorities with people outcomes, ensuring pragmatic and effective decision‑making.
- Coach and Influencer - Supports and develops leaders to improve capability, confidence, and accountability in people management.
- Resilient and Adaptable - Thrives in a fast‑paced environment, managing competing priorities with energy, professionalism, and attention to detail.
- Change Champion - Guides teams and leaders through periods of change with structure, empathy, and a focus on engagement and performance.
About Us
As the UK’s leading developer and manager of retirement communities, we provide high quality homes to exacting specifications. As of January 2026, McCarthy & Stone operates over 550 developments across the UK for more than 25,000 people.
We believe in championing the role, wellbeing, and happiness of older people in society. We help our customers have a better later life, so they feel more connected, recognised, and valued than ever. In late 2020 we launched the McCarthy & Stone Charitable Foundation to support local causes that help older people in need across Britain.
We are proud to have been certified as a Great Place to Work 2026 as well as making the Great Place to Work Wellbeing list! At McCarthy & Stone, we celebrate diversity and promote equality and inclusion amongst our colleagues. We welcome applications from all, regardless of personal characteristics or background.
All applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received, and we hold the right to appoint before the closing date.
People Partner (12 month FTC) in Bournemouth employer: McCarthy & Stone
McCarthy & Stone is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and flexible work environment that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With competitive salaries, generous benefits including private healthcare and volunteering days, and a commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture, employees are empowered to thrive in their roles while making a meaningful impact in the lives of older people across the UK. The Bournemouth office provides a vibrant location for collaboration and innovation, ensuring that our People Partners can effectively support our mission of enhancing the quality of life for our residents.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People Partner (12 month FTC) in Bournemouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend HR events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that People Partner role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back on sharing your knowledge of UK employment law and employee relations. Be confident and let them see how you can add value to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about scenarios where you've successfully navigated complex employee relations matters or driven cultural change. Practise your responses so you can impress during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application, and it’s the best way to ensure it gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our company culture right there.
We think you need these skills to ace People Partner (12 month FTC) in Bournemouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in HR, especially around employee relations and stakeholder management. We want to see how your skills align with the role of People Partner!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you've influenced leaders or driven cultural change in previous roles. We love seeing tangible results that demonstrate your impact!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We value authenticity and want to get a sense of who you are beyond your professional qualifications. Share your passion for HR and how it drives you!
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to review your details and get back to you quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at McCarthy & Stone
✨Know Your Employment Law
Brush up on your UK employment law knowledge before the interview. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve applied this knowledge in previous roles, especially in complex employee relations cases. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the law but can also navigate it effectively in a practical setting.
✨Build Your Stakeholder Strategy
Think about how you would approach building relationships with various stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've successfully influenced leaders and managed stakeholder expectations in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to establish trust and credibility quickly.
✨Showcase Your Change Management Skills
Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve led change initiatives. Highlight your approach to maintaining engagement and performance during transitions. This is crucial for the role, so having concrete examples will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-time. Think through potential challenges you might face as a People Partner and how you would address them. This will showcase your proactive and solutions-focused mindset, which is key for success in this role.
