Strategic People Partner in Reading

Are you ready to shape the future of how people and performance drive business success? As a Strategic People Partner, you'll be a key member of the business leadership team, working closely with senior leaders to influence strategy, drive transformation, and deliver impactful people solutions that align with our long-term goals.

This is a high-impact role where you'll lead the development and execution of People Plans that enable business growth, foster agility, and elevate organisational effectiveness. You'll bring thought leadership across all aspects of the people agenda, from performance and talent management to transformation and workforce planning, ensuring our people strategies are not only aligned to the business but also future-ready.

You’ll be the trusted advisor to senior partners, challenging conventional thinking, advocating for diversity of thought, and role modelling our values and behaviours. Whether it’s navigating complex change, integrating new structures, or driving digital-first solutions, you’ll be at the forefront of shaping a culture that thrives on innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

If you’re passionate about making a strategic impact, influencing at the highest level, and driving meaningful change across the organisation, this is the role for you.

Who we are

The UK's fastest broadband network. The nation's best-loved mobile brand. And, one of the UK's biggest companies too. We put our customers first, making life simpler, smoother, and more joyful. With big ambitions and a brilliant team, we're building a more connected future for everyone.

Our ways of working

We’re a flexible-first organisation, because we know people do their best work when they have choice and clarity. To support meaningful collaboration, we ask everyone to spend at least eight days each month connecting in person. That doesn’t just mean time in the office, it could be team meetings, offsites, volunteering days, cross-functional projects, or away days - anywhere meaningful collaboration happens. What matters is making those moments purposeful, so when we come together, it really counts.

Accessible, inclusive and equitable for all

Virgin Media O2 is an equal opportunities employer, and we’re working hard to remove bias and barriers for our people and candidates. So, we build equity and inclusion into everything we do, from the policies we craft to the relationships we shape. We support and encourage you to be your authentic self throughout your application journey with us.

The must haves

• Practiced in partnering with and influencing SLT to translate divisional strategies into HR actions and initiatives to enhance performance.
• Demonstrated expertise in the provision of HR counsel to Senior Leaders on all people aspects including transformation, organisational effectiveness and performance and talent management.
• Skilled in the implementation of Employee experience initiatives.
• Experience maximising data, analytics, and insights to influence and develop the business agenda and transform ways of working.

The other stuff we are looking for

• You bring fresh ideas and a willingness to challenge the status quo, helping us continuously improve and innovate in how we work and deliver value.
• You know how to share information in a way that’s timely, transparent, and tailored to your audience, enabling strong collaboration and alignment across teams.

What’s in it for you

Our goal is to celebrate our people, their lives and everything in-between. We aim to create a culture that empowers everyone to bring the best versions of themselves to work each and every day. We believe the most inclusive and diverse culture makes for a better business and a brighter world.

Working at Virgin Media O2, you get a bumper reward package bursting with benefits, and loads of extras you can add if you’d like to. These are designed to support both you and your loved ones, making sure that you’re covered no matter what life throws your way.

Next steps

If we feel like a place where you can belong, we’d love to learn more about you as a person and your experience to date. Once you’ve submitted an application the next steps of the process, if successful, are likely to include two stage interview process. When you apply, you’ll be asked about any adjustments you might need to support the recruitment process. Let us know, and we’ll be sure to discuss it with you.

Please note: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert, therefore we may bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as possible. If you’re offered a job with us, it will be conditional, based on the passing of background checks. All roles require a criminal record check and some roles need a financial probity check. Your recruiter can provide you with more information if needed.

Thanks for your patience and for showing an interest in joining the Virgin Media O2 family.