People Manager

ABOUT VIVIENNE WESTWOOD

Vivienne Westwood is one of the most iconic British fashion brands, renowned for its heritage, innovative design, and commitment to culture and activism. We care deeply about our people and the environment, and our core values - Gaia, Quality not Quantity, Activism, Culture & Heritage - guide us daily. If you share our passion for creativity, sustainability, and innovation, we’d love to hear from you.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The People Manager is responsible for the overall effectiveness of the People function. Reporting to the Global HR Director, the role balances strategic advice with hands-on operational leadership and accountability for a generalist People team. Working closely with senior stakeholders across the business, the role provides trusted guidance on employee relations, organisational change, workforce planning, performance, reward, wellbeing, and People operations. The focus is on delivering consistent, high-quality People practices across the employee lifecycle within a creative organisation. This role is full time on a 1-year FTC and based onsite at the Head Office in Battersea, London.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic People Leadership: Support the Global HR Director in shaping and delivering the People strategy, advising on organisational design, workforce planning, culture and People risk. Translate strategic priorities into practical delivery plans, using People data and insight to inform decisions and continuous improvement.
• HR Operations, Governance & Employee Relations: Hold accountability for compliant and consistent delivery of the full employee lifecycle, ensuring alignment with UK employment legislation and internal governance standards. Oversee operational delivery across recruitment, contracts, onboarding and offboarding, systems, reporting, data integrity and internal communications, maintaining quality control through the People team. Lead complex and high-risk employee relations matters, including investigations, disciplinary, grievance, performance, absence and organisational change processes.
• Performance & Capability: Ensure effective delivery of performance frameworks, including probation, review cycles and performance improvement processes. Oversee internal training delivery and LMS management, ensuring content, compliance tracking and reporting align with business capability needs. Equip managers with clear guidance and tools to manage performance confidently and consistently.
• Payroll & Reward: Hold accountability for the team’s accurate and timely provision of People data and reward inputs to Finance and Payroll, ensuring robust internal checks and controls are applied. Oversee administration of pay, bonus and commission frameworks approved by the Director, managing risk and resolving payroll queries in collaboration with Finance.
• Wellbeing, Risk & Compliance: Provide oversight on health-related and Equality Act cases, including reasonable adjustments and Occupational Health referrals, ensuring fair and compliant outcomes. Partner with Office Management on People-related risk and health and safety matters. Contribute to audits, risk reviews and continuous improvement of People governance and compliance frameworks.
• CSR & Early Careers: Ensure effective People support to CSR initiatives, including workforce data, policy alignment and employee volunteering coordination. Maintain oversight of People data accuracy for sustainability and reporting purposes. Oversee delivery of early careers and educational programmes, including the intern programme and related development initiatives.
• Stakeholder & Team Leadership: Partner with senior stakeholders across the UK and international offices to support organisational change, risk mitigation and People initiatives. Manage relationships with external advisers, including legal counsel, where required. Lead and develop the People team, setting clear standards, accountability and performance expectations, balancing delegation with hands-on leadership. Contribute flexibly to additional projects and priorities as required.

(Please note this is not an exhaustive list of duties and you may be required to perform additional duties to fulfil the requirements of the role)

PROFILE & KEY SKILLS

• 5+ years in a senior generalist HR/People role within a complex or multi-disciplinary organisation.
• Proven capability leading complex employee relations matters, organisational change, and People risk.
• Strong experience overseeing the full employee lifecycle, HR operations, and People governance.
• Demonstrated experience managing and developing HR/People teams, including delegation, coaching, and quality assurance.
• Highly effective communicator, able to influence, challenge, and provide clear, pragmatic advice to senior stakeholders and managers.
• Adaptable and resilient, with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities and respond effectively to changing business needs.
• Solid working knowledge of UK employment legislation and HR best practice.
• Experience overseeing reward, payroll, benefits, and performance frameworks, with appropriate governance and controls.
• Exposure to immigration, right-to-work, and sponsorship processes.
• Confident stakeholder manager with experience partnering senior leaders across functions and geographies.
• Comfortable working with People data, systems, and reporting to inform decisions and improve capability.

BENEFITS

• Staff discounts
• Health & Wellbeing support (includes Private Medical Health Insurance, EAP, Gym Discounts, Access to Financial Planning Service, etc.)
• Perkbox Discounts and Wellness Hub
• Cycle to work scheme
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Pension Scheme
• Training and hands-on experience
• Opportunities to build new skills and gain valuable industry knowledge

Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, so we recommend applying early to avoid missing out. Vivienne Westwood is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by local government laws.