Senior HR Controller (FTC) in London

Contract type: FTC - 6 Months

Team: Total Reward, HR Controlling & Workforce Planning (CoE)

Location: Chiswick, London. We operate a hybrid working approach, which allows you to manage your time between home and office.

Your new team

This position sits in our Pernod Ricard UK (PRUK) business. Our diverse population of 300+ passionate employees have been creating conviviality since 2001, bringing our premium brands and unforgettable experiences to the UK. As the world’s 2nd largest spirits market, the UK is a key location for our company. Since 2017 PRUK has also hosted The Gin Hub, the team responsible for managing the Group’s unrivalled portfolio of ‘Premium+’ International Gins globally.

At PRUK, we have a culture that blends performance and conviviality: we are recognised as an open and diverse business with a firm commitment to our employees’ wellness, inclusion and safety and to making a positive impact on our industry and environment.

As a HR Controller, you will be a key partner in driving workforce cost planning and insights for over 2,000 employees across our four UK affiliates (Chivas Brothers (Gold BU), Pernod Ricard UK, Global Travel Retail & The Absolut Group (Crystal BU)). You will ensure robust forecasting, insightful reporting, effective cost control, and high-quality analytics, supporting data‐driven decisions in a dynamic, matrixed organisation.

Your key responsibilities:

• 1. Staff Cost Planning & Forecasting
  Manage the Payroll and Benefits forecasting through quarterly rolling forecasts in line with Group requirements and monthly actuals reporting. Collaborate closely with HRBPs, Finance and other local HR Controllers to ensure accuracy and reliability of workforce cost data. Prepare & present clear, concise narratives and analysis to support internal (Group & Local) reporting to senior stakeholders. Support finance teams in strategic processes, such as budgeting and estimates forecasting, by providing accurate data and analysing and scenario‐modelling all aspects of Compensation & Benefits. Main responsible together with HRBPs of the headcount, making sure it is accurate not only in forecast but also in our main systems (Adaptive and Workday). Including presenting the outcomes and analysis to leadership team members.
• 2. Analytics & Business Partnering
  Deliver monthly analysis and variance commentary to senior stakeholders on Payroll & Benefits and FTE Evolution which includes tracking our expat costs (Budget vs Actuals), key HR ratios (including Group Social Reporting) and engaging with auditors when required. Identify cost drivers, risks and opportunities, and provide simulations to support strategic decisions (e.g., hiring plans, merit increases and bonus assumptions). Act as the key liaison between local HR/Finance teams and the Group HR Controlling team.
• 3. Financial Transactions
  Monitor payroll and benefits reinvoicing processes across UK‐based affiliates, including accruals, recharges and bonus reconciliations. When required generate accruals and analyse the balance at the end of a specific period.
• 4. Systems & Data Integrity
  Ensure consistency and reconciliation across systems (Adaptive Planning, Polaris). Conduct data validation and ensure accuracy across all reporting streams. Recommend or implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and consistency.

Who you’ll be working with

Internally, you will work closely with HR Business Partners, HR Directors, Finance Business Partners, Local HR Controllers, HQ, and Payroll & Admin teams.

Your blend of talent

This position could be right for you if you:

• Have a degree in Finance, Controlling, Accounting, Workforce Planning or a related field.
• Possess a proven track record in forecasting staff costs or analysing complex data, ideally with 7+ years’ experience in an international or matrix organisation.
• Have experience as an HR/Financial Controller, FP&A Analyst, Workforce planning Analyst or a related job.
• Can deliver clear, insight‐driven presentations to senior leadership.
• Excel in a dynamic and fast‐paced environment.
• Take initiative, identify inefficiencies and recommend process improvements.
• Maintain confidentiality and collaborate effectively across teams.

Technical Skills

• Strong financial acumen with a deep understanding of payroll, compensation and benefits topics.
• Advanced Excel and Intermediate PowerPoint skills.
• Experience with Workday and Adaptive Planning.
• Experience in Human Resources (nice to have).
• Ability to navigate complexity and drive data consistency.
• Ability to work under pressure and deliver on tight deadlines.

Soft Skills

• Analytical mindset – Ability to turn complex data into clear, actionable insights.
• Pro‐active approach – Anticipates needs, takes initiative, and demonstrates curiosity.
• Business partnering – Strong collaboration skills across HR and Finance.
• Communication – Able to translate complex concepts in a clear and straightforward manner.
• Adaptability – Thrives in a fast‐paced, matrixed environment.
• Organisation – Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Attention to detail – Ensures precision and insight in all technical and analytical outputs.
• Proactiveness – Willing to investigate and look for information on his own.
• Autonomy – Be able to work with limited supervision.

Our mix of benefits

For your health, we offer private medical insurance, critical illness cover and an optional healthcare cash plan and dental insurance. Our lifestyle benefits options include 28 days’ annual holiday, your employee pension, share incentive plan, family care, season ticket loans, free mortgage advice, payroll giving and more! You can access lots of gifts & discounts, including an allowance each year to spend on our brands in our staff shop and employee discounts from a range of high street retailers. We have regular events in our very own office bar, employee-run networks, a culture of flexibility and trust and a variety of tools and resources to help you focus on your wellbeing and mental fitness.

Conviviality: the Pernod Ricard Way

We have our own way of doing things. We call it conviviality! It’s our way of being, and something unique you feel and experience when working for Pernod Ricard. We’re committed to conviviality, and with this, you’ll be Proud to Belong to our Pernod Ricard family. You’ll be Empowered to Perform, supported to succeed, and acknowledged for the value you bring. We combine all this with our Commitment to Care: we are unlocking the magic of human connection to transform our industry and make a positive impact on the world through our strong focus on Sustainability and Responsibility (S&R).

We’re committed to diversity and inclusion

People are at the heart of everything we do at Pernod Ricard and are the foundation of our collective spirit as ‘Créateurs de Convivialité’. We promote diversity and inclusion throughout our business and supply chain. In our teams, we proactively foster a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture – an environment where we can truly be ourselves. We will assess your application for this role based on your skills, experiences and achievements, not your gender, age, ethnic or educational background or any other such factors. Please feel free to leave these off your CV and application form if you so wish. Similarly, if you would like to discuss opportunities for flexible working or accommodations or support to complete our application process, please let us know.

Responsible drinking

As ‘Créateurs de convivialité’, we want to turn social interactions into genuine and friendly experiences of sharing and wellbeing. In our culture, we want to create diverse teams in which our differences contribute to our success. Therefore, all are welcome at Pernod Ricard, regardless of your religious beliefs or personal choices on the consumption of alcohol. In our business, we work together with industry members, civil society, governments, local authorities and UN bodies to promote responsible drinking.