people business partner (south region)

The role involves developing and fostering strong working relationships with the regional director and area managers to ensure that top talent is engaged and retained, and there is a healthy pipeline of successors to fill key roles. It is essential to know what good looks like and recognise the success factors that result in high performance. Identifying underperformance quickly and supporting the regional director and area managers to resolve issues is crucial so that people can be successful and are in the right position.

Nurturing a diverse and inclusive approach to talent is necessary to ensure a clear understanding of internal pipeline requirements, achieved practically through the identification of talent, tracking and owning talent through succession planning, and understanding the pipeline to grow future talent (succession planning, manpower planning, personal development plans).

Ownership and collaboration with the regional director and area managers to identify the root cause of high labour turnover is important, providing advice and guidance to reduce attrition so restaurants are successful. Line management and development of the regional talent partner for the region is also required.

Using analytics and people information to prioritise areas of focus and identify trends ensures that efforts are directed towards the right things. Working closely with operations and the people services team to resolve escalated ER cases quickly and fairly is essential. Supporting and embedding changes into restaurants so that change is understood and embraced by the end user is part of the role.

Creating the regional resourcing strategy in conjunction with operations and the talent acquisition partner to identify where external resources are required and when to avoid vacancies and gaps is also a key responsibility.

Key skills and personal attributes we’re looking for:

• Experience partnering for a multisite restaurant, retail or similar type business.
• A good understanding of the principles and practices of generalist HR, talent management, ER, and change management.
• Able to interpret and understand people information including P&Ls, dashboards, and company scorecards.
• Strong leadership skills; can inspire, grow and develop your direct report as well as inspire your peers and colleagues to work in partnership with them.
• An ability to work in true partnership through appropriate support, guidance, challenge, collaboration and co-creation.
• Ability to solve problems, analyse issues and interpret data.
• Strong facilitation skills; guiding others to achieve goals, fostering a culture of collaboration.
• A change agent; an ability to promote and support new ways of working and win the hearts and minds of key stakeholders.
• The ideal candidate would live within the south region, which for Wagamama includes all areas from Exeter to Essex.

What you’ll get in return:

• A competitive annual salary.
• 20% bonus opportunity per year on top.
• Car allowance.
• £200 per month free Wagamama food.
• Private healthcare.
• Wellbeing support.
• 25 days holiday plus all bank holidays.
• Pension contribution.
• Various discounts across retail, hospitality and leisure brands.
• Internal progression opportunities; fully funded apprenticeship programmes to support your growth.
• Kintsugi wellness; access to councillors, cycle to work scheme, discounted gym and leisure.
• Family friendly policies; enhanced pay entitlements and support for those growing their families.
• Financial wellbeing support; access to loans repaid through your salary.

The Wagamama way: Kaizen, meaning ‘good change’, is the philosophy that sits at the core of who we are. It shapes every dish we create and pushes us to find better ways in all we do. Our food, how we think, how we work, it has to be fresh. Committed to championing change in both our communities and the impact on the planet. Three whole decades of acting different; we don’t conform, we celebrate difference. Appreciating personality over perfection. Welcoming everyone and their unique story to our benches. We promise to have your back. Working together to build close bonds of trust and support. Creating safe spaces where we can have real conversations with open hearts and open minds. Be you, be Wagamama.