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- Tasks: Lead transformative initiatives in talent management and performance across the organisation.
- Company: Join Sainsbury's, a vibrant company dedicated to nurturing talent and fostering a high-performance culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, discounts, performance bonuses, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping talent strategies and driving organisational growth in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in talent management, performance strategy, and influencing senior stakeholders required.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of inclusion and continuous learning while developing your career.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Salary: Competitive Plus Benefits
Location: London Store Support Centre, London, EC1M 6HA
Contract type: Permanent
Business area: Group HR
Closing date: 15 August 2025
Requisition ID: 400011170
Our people are at the heart of our business, and we are looking for those that are just as passionate about that as we are. Join our People team, and come with us on a journey as we transform the way we do HR. Our team is made up of business partners working with leaders to get the most out of their teams, specialist knowledge in our centres of expertise, and colleague-centric, efficient people services. Our work ranges from making sure that our 150,000+ colleagues are paid on time to attracting brilliant talent to drive our strategy, to unlocking the skills and capability of our colleagues. This is a fast-moving business, and we make sure our policies and rewards keep up with that too. We know flexibility is important and helps you be more productive so there\’s more choice than ever about where and when you work. When it comes to your development, we\’ll support your growth in your own unique way. When you join us, youll be joining a team that knows just what it means to be happy and engaged, and who makes a real impact across our business.
Head of Talent and Performance
(People Division Talent Capability and Development)
About the team
Join our vibrant People Division, the driving force behind Sainsburys commitment to nurturing talent and performance across the organisation. As part of the Talent Capability and Development team, you will collaborate with passionate professionals dedicated to unlocking potential and embedding a culture of growth, innovation, and high performance. Our team operates at the heart of the business, influencing strategies that shape the future of Sainsburys by fostering an inclusive and dynamic workplace where everyone is empowered to thrive.
More about the role
As the Head of Talent & Performance, you will lead transformative initiatives that redefine how we attract, develop, and retain talent. Youll own the design and delivery of our talent and performance management portfolio, ensuring every product and programme provides a best-in-class colleague experience. In this role, you will consult with senior leaders, shape the talent strategy, and embed frameworks that drive continuous improvement and measurable impact across the organisation.
Your day-to-day will involve partnering with stakeholders at executive and divisional levels, leading a talented team, and spearheading projects that enhance our performance culture. From implementing succession planning strategies to shaping assessment methodologies, youll play a pivotal role in building effective leadership pipelines and supporting organisational growth. Youll also be at the forefront of driving change, ensuring our approaches reflect market needs and future-proof our business.
More about you
To excel in this role, you will bring a proven skillset in talent management, performance strategy, and employee development. You have demonstrable experience in consulting with and influencing senior stakeholders, as well as driving data-informed decisions that deliver strategic outcomes. Your approach is collaborative and agile, always seeking innovative ways to improve processes, products, and experiences.
Success in this environment requires you to be a compelling storyteller who can leverage data and insight, a problem solver who thrives on finding solutions, and a leader who inspires and develops teams. You value inclusion, embrace continuous learning, and are committed to building environments where diverse perspectives are encouraged and high performance is the norm.
- Demonstrable experience of designing and leading talent management and performance initiatives in a complex, matrixed organisation, that deliver a brilliant experience for colleagues and leaders.
- Proven ability to consult with and influence senior stakeholders to deliver strategic talent or performance outcomes.
- Demonstrated expertise in developing and implementing succession planning frameworks and talent pipelines.
- Track record of designing and delivering change management strategies to embed new talent or performance products.
- Experience managing and developing teams to achieve measurable goals and foster a high-performance culture.
We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer, so youll be welcomed whoever you are and wherever you work. Around here, theres always the chance to try something new – whether thats as part of an evolving team or somewhere else across the business – and we take development seriously and promise to support you. We also recognise and celebrate colleagues when they go the extra mile and, where possible, offer flexible working. When you join our team, well also offer you an amazing range of benefits. Here are some of them:
Starting off with colleague discount, you\’ll be able to get 10% off at Sainsbury\’s, Argos, TU and Habitat after 4 weeks. This increases to 15% off at Sainsburys every Friday and Saturday and 15% off at Argos every pay day. We\’ve also got you covered for your future with our pensions scheme and life cover. You\’ll also be able to share in our success as you may be eligible for a performance-related bonus of up to 65% of salary, depending on how we perform (in cash and shares).
Your wellbeing is important to us too. You\’ll receive an annual holiday allowance, and you can buy additional holiday. We also offer other benefits that will help your money go further such as season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, health cash plans, pay advance (where you can access some of your pay before pay day) as well access to a great range of discounts from hundreds of other retailers. You\’ll also receive a company car cash allowance unless you are going to travel 10,000 business miles in your role, then you\’ll be able to choose a car. And if you ever need it there is also an employee assistance programme, you will also be eligible for private healthcare too.
Moments that matter are as important to us as they are to you which is why we give up to 26 weeks pay for maternity or adoption leave and up to 4 weeks pay for paternity leave.
Please see www.sainsburys.jobs for a range of our benefits (note, length of service and eligibility criteria may apply).
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Head of Performance & Talent (London) employer: Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd
Contact Detail:
Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Performance & Talent (London)
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the HR and talent management field. Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups to connect with individuals who may have insights into the role or the company culture at Sainsbury's.
✨Tip Number 2
Research Sainsbury's current talent management strategies and performance initiatives. Understanding their existing frameworks will help you tailor your discussions during interviews and demonstrate your knowledge of their business.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to showcase your leadership style and how it aligns with Sainsbury's values. Think about examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led teams or implemented change, as this will resonate well with their focus on high performance.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in talent management and performance enhancement. Being able to discuss innovative approaches or tools that could benefit Sainsbury's will set you apart as a forward-thinking candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Performance & Talent (London)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in talent management and performance strategy. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to consult with senior stakeholders and drive data-informed decisions.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for nurturing talent and performance. Share your vision for how you would lead transformative initiatives at Sainsbury's and why you believe you are the right fit for this role.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Provide examples of how you've successfully managed and developed teams in previous roles. Highlight any measurable goals achieved and how you fostered a high-performance culture.
Demonstrate Your Storytelling Ability: Use your application to showcase your storytelling skills. Present data and insights in a way that illustrates your problem-solving capabilities and your approach to driving change within an organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd
✨Understand the Company Culture
Before your interview, take some time to research Sainsbury's culture and values. This role is all about nurturing talent and performance, so be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to a positive workplace environment.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
As the Head of Performance & Talent, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead teams and influence senior stakeholders. Prepare specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led initiatives or managed teams to achieve strategic outcomes.
✨Be Data-Informed
This role requires a strong focus on data-informed decision-making. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive talent management strategies in the past. Bring examples of metrics you've tracked and how they influenced your decisions.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to drive change. Think about challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you overcame them, particularly in relation to talent management and performance improvement.
