About the Human Resources Team:
We are dedicated to fostering a vibrant workplace culture that attracts, develops, and retains top talent, ensuring that every member of our team feels valued and empowered to contribute their best.
Our team is passionate about creating a supportive environment, from implementing professional development programs to enhancing employee engagement initiatives.
We also prioritize diversity and inclusion, actively seeking to build a workforce that reflects our community.
The Opportunity:
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced HR professional to play a key role in delivering Sunderland AFC’s people priorities and supporting the Club’s continued development.
Working closely with the HR Director, you will provide practical, commercially focused HR leadership across agreed areas of the Club. You will take personal ownership of complex employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance, capability, attendance, long-term absence and dignity at work cases, providing clear advice to managers and ensuring each matter is managed fairly, consistently and through to resolution.
The role will also involve strengthening the quality and consistency of HR delivery across the employee lifecycle, from recruitment and onboarding through probation, contractual changes and leaving the Club. You will draft and review key HR documentation, maintain accurate case and personnel records, and work with the HR Advisor and Safeguarding team to ensure that processes, checks and employment documentation are completed to a high standard.
As a trusted business partner, you will build a strong understanding of operational priorities and provide credible advice and constructive challenge to leaders. You will support workforce planning, organisational change, restructures and consultation processes, using people data and insight to identify risks, improve practices and deliver practical HR projects.
A key part of this opportunity is developing the capability of managers and the wider HR team. You will coach managers to handle people matters with confidence, support performance and probation reviews, contribute to recruitment and talent planning, and help create a fair, supportive and high-performing workplace culture across the Club.
What We Ask For:
We are looking for an experienced generalist HR professional, operating at HR Business Partner, HR Manager or equivalent level, with a proven track record of delivering both operational HR support and strategic business partnering. You will be confident independently managing complex employee relations cases and producing clear, accurate and practical advice, correspondence and case documentation.
You will have a sound working knowledge of UK employment law, with the ability to apply this to everyday decisions, identify risk and seek specialist advice at the appropriate point. You will also bring practical experience of contracts, policies, HR systems, payroll liaison and employee lifecycle processes, alongside supporting organisational change.
You will have experience of coaching or supervising a HR colleague and developing manager capability. A CIPD Level 5 qualification, or equivalent professional knowledge gained through substantial relevant experience, is essential, together with a clear commitment to ongoing professional development.
You will be confident handling difficult conversations, constructively challenging senior stakeholders and exercising sound judgement under pressure. Highly organised and detail-focused, you will be able to manage a varied caseload, meet deadlines and see matters through to completion in a fast-paced environment.
You will bring clear communication skills, discretion, integrity and a fair, approachable manner. Experience in professional sport, hospitality, leisure or another environment with varied working patterns and a mix of permanent and casual workers would be desirable, as would experience of improving HR processes and using people data to inform decisions.
You will be required to obtain an Enhanced DBS through SAFC.
Senior HR Business Partner in Sunderland employer: Sunderland AFC
Sunderland AFC is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where finance professionals can thrive. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and development, the company provides opportunities for training and advancement within the finance team. Located in the heart of Sunderland, employees enjoy a supportive culture that values teamwork and dedication, making it a rewarding place to contribute to the club's financial success.
