At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape and deliver people strategies in a dynamic arts environment.
- Company: Join the Royal Ballet and Opera, a leading UK arts organisation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and inclusion in a creative workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the arts while supporting diverse talent.
- Qualifications: Senior HR experience, strong communication skills, and CIPD membership preferred.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 60000 € per year.
Salary: Starting from £60,000 per annum based on skills and experience
Full time – 40 hours per week
Based in: Covent Garden, London
The Royal Ballet and Opera continues to lead the way in opera, ballet, music and dance both live on stage and through multiple digital platforms, from live streaming to worldwide cinema screenings. Our Covent Garden theatre has been at the heart of London and British cultural life for three centuries. We are home to two world-class Companies: The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera.
People are centre stage of everything we do at RBO, and our Human Resources department work across the organisation, ensuring that in every department we have the right people in place who are supported to deliver their work to their fullest capacity.
We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced HR professional to join our team and help to shape and deliver our people strategies. Working within a cross functional and collaborative team, you will have a broad portfolio of departments to support from both a strategic and operational perspective. You will act as a trusted adviser, building strong working relationships with key senior stakeholders (Executive Team, senior leaders and Heads of Department), other HR leaders and our recognised unions.
You will have worked at a senior level in an equivalent complex organisation, working on complex employee relations matters and contributing to organisational change and workforce transformation. We’re looking for someone with demonstrable experience of coaching and developing others, with exceptional communication skills and the ability to influence at all levels. You will have a strong understanding of UK employment legislation and act as a subject matter expert, offering guidance on best practice.
Can you demonstrate any of the following:
- Significant senior HR business partnering experience in a complex organisation, ideally with an understanding of the arts, cultural, entertainment or similar sectors.
- Demonstrable experience leading complex employee relations matters and working collaboratively with trade unions.
- Proven experience delivering both strategic and operational HR interventions, with the ability to anticipate organisational needs and develop pragmatic solutions.
- Experience contributing to organisational change, cultural development and workforce transformation with commercial and financial awareness to support sustainable workforce planning.
- Excellent communication, coaching, negotiation and relationship building skills.
- Strong organisational and project management abilities, with capacity to manage competing demands in a busy and ever evolving environment.
Please reference CIPD Chartered Membership (or equivalent experience) and relevant degree level qualification in your application.
The Royal Ballet and Opera is one of the UK’s leading arts organisations and our aim is to inspire imagination, ignite emotion and make the extraordinary for everyone. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion underpin all that we do. We want our people to be representative of the diversity in the UK. We understand the creativity and innovation that diversity can bring and strive to create an inclusive environment in which everyone can thrive. We encourage applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and skills to join our teams. We particularly welcome applications from those who are from a global majority background and/or those who are disabled, as they are under-represented within our organisation.
We are a Disability Confident Employer, which means that we are actively working to ensure that candidates with disabilities and long-term health conditions feel supported, engaged and able to fulfil their potential in the workplace. We will endeavour to offer an interview to candidates who tell us they wish to participate in the scheme and who demonstrate in their application that they meet the essential criteria for the role, though sometimes due to the volume of qualified candidates with declarations this is not possible.
The RBO is also committed to safeguarding and protecting all children, young people, and adults and we implement robust safer recruitment practices. Due to our safeguarding promise, certain roles will be subject to a DBS check before commencing employment with us, which will be indicated in the advertising.
Closing date for applications: 11:59pm, Tuesday 14th April 2026.
Interviews will take place over two stages, with the first stage online via MS Teams and the second stage in person at ROH Covent Garden.
To ensure a fair process, late applications will not be considered under any circumstances. Applicants must have work authorisation for the UK. No agencies.
Senior People Partner - WC2E 9DD in Wood Green employer: ROYAL BALLET AND OPERA
The Royal Ballet and Opera is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture at the heart of Covent Garden, London, where creativity and collaboration thrive. With a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, we provide our employees with meaningful growth opportunities and the chance to contribute to transformative projects in the arts sector. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that inspires imagination and makes the extraordinary accessible to all.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior People Partner - WC2E 9DD in Wood Green
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those connected to the Royal Ballet and Opera. A friendly chat can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation's culture and values. Show us how your experience aligns with our mission to inspire and innovate in the arts.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to discuss your HR strategies and how you've tackled complex employee relations. We want to hear about your successes and how you can contribute to our team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our amazing team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior People Partner - WC2E 9DD in Wood Green
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully:Before you start writing, give the job description a good read. It’s packed with clues about what we’re looking for, so make sure you highlight your relevant experience and skills that match our needs.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! We want to see how your unique background fits with our mission at the Royal Ballet and Opera. Use specific examples from your past roles that showcase your HR expertise and how it aligns with our values.
Show Off Your Communication Skills:As a Senior People Partner, communication is key! Make sure your application is clear, concise, and free of jargon. We love a well-structured application that reflects your ability to convey ideas effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our organisation there!
How to prepare for a job interview at ROYAL BALLET AND OPERA
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the Royal Ballet and Opera's mission and values. Understand their approach to HR in the arts sector, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. This shows you’re not just interested in any job, but specifically in contributing to their unique environment.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that highlight your senior HR business partnering experience, especially in complex organisations. Be ready to discuss how you've handled employee relations matters and contributed to organisational change. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Build Relationships
Since this role involves working closely with senior stakeholders and trade unions, think about how you can demonstrate your relationship-building skills. Share instances where you’ve successfully influenced decisions or navigated complex negotiations. This will show you can thrive in a collaborative environment.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and understanding of UK employment legislation. Practice articulating your thought process on how you would handle specific HR challenges they might face. This will help you stand out as a proactive candidate who can anticipate needs.
