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- Tasks: Lead a team to ensure efficient and compliant people services at Wagamama.
- Company: Join Wagamama, a vibrant Asian-inspired restaurant chain with over 165 locations in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy a £50-55k salary, 20% bonus, hybrid work, and a £200 monthly food allowance.
- Why this job: Be part of a culture that values good food, good vibes, and personal growth.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in employee relations and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Flexible working options and family-friendly pay for expectant or adopting parents.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 66000 £ per year.
london 📍 | hybrid 3 days a week | salary of 50-55,000 + 20% bonus |
at wagamama, food is life 🥢 and we’re here to make every bite count. with over 165 restaurants across the UK (and growing fast) we’ve been dishing up vibrant, fresh asian inspired flavours since ‘92. it’s all about good food, good vibes, and good company 🍜🔥
were looking for a people services manager to join us on our journey 🌱 ready to dive in and stir things up?
what we need |
an experienced people services manager to lead a team in ensuring a pro-active, efficient and legally compliant people service is delivered. the role covers a wide range of people services related activity. you will be responsible for the wagamama employee relations agenda (e.g. policy development, legal compliance) and lead on annual cyclical activities administration
working in partnership with hq/cpu directors, heads of department and managers, building and maintaining effective relationships to support the business achieving its strategic goals. the role is key to driving successful performance through the delivery of key people initiatives and people performance, aligning the business plan and priorities with the people agenda
what you’ll do |
employee relations
- manages complex employment matters, including tribunals and exits, providing timely, compliant and accurate outputs to support business needs
- leads on all responses to early conciliation requests, resolving where possible and leads on et3 responses in conjunction with employment lawyers
- ensures training for managers across the business to provide knowledge of policies + process and skill to manage er cases locally
- accountable for ensuring wagamama has up to date and fit for purposes people related policies
- responsible for ensuring legal compliance and cascade of changes (e.g. right to work, statutory policy)
people services
- ensures transactional people admin processes (e.g. offer/t&c change/leaver paperwork, benefits administration) are delivered + cyclical processes (e.g. pay review, bonus, pension auto-enrolment) are planned and delivered
analytics
- uses analytics to prioritise areas of focus and identify trends so we’re working on the right things and spending times in the right place
enabling people to be the best they can be
- identifies underperformance quickly and supports hq/cpu hods / directors / managers to resolve so people can be successful and are in the right position
- in partnership with the wider talent team + learning & development centre of excellence, ensures a clear focus on ‘growing in life + work’ so once identified, our people fulfil their potential and grow through wagamama
team leadership
- provides strong team leadership by inspiring and developing team through clear direction. provides support and in the moment feedback
what you’ll need |
- able to communicate and adapt style to people on all levels within wagamama
- significant experience of dealing and manging complex employee relations
- strong team leadership skills | can inspire, grow and develop their team as well as inspire their peers and colleagues to work in partnership with them
- a good understanding of the processes and practices of generalist hr
- able to assimilate and interpret data in order to inform decisions and take key actions
- high ability to influence and challenge effectively providing sound advice and judgement
- able to read and understand p&ls, dashboards, and company scorecards
- strong facilitation skills | guiding others to achieve goals, fostering a culture of collaboration
who you’ll be working with |
- hq/cpu directors + heads of department
- head of talent
- people + culture director
- regional operations directors + area managers
- regional people business partners
- head of people experience
- talent acquisition + eb manager
what’s in it for you |
- 50-55000 salary + 20% bonus potential
- flexible hybrid working (with option to work + eat from one of our restaurants!)
- come as you are culture, with modern offices, fresh fruit and soft drinks
- £200 monthly wagamama food allowance — enjoy all your favourite dishes on us!
- private healthcare
- 3% pension contribution
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- + further discounts across retail, hospitality & leisure — perks that make life sweeter
- Supporting you every step of the way! family-friendly pay: 26 weeks full pay + 13 weeks half pay for expectant or adopting parents
nothing brings people together like great food. no matter where you’re from or who you are, you’ve got a seat at our table | because food is the ultimate connector, and here everyone belongs
people services manager employer: Wagamama
Contact Detail:
Wagamama Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land people services manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Wagamama's culture and values. Understanding their emphasis on good food, good vibes, and collaboration will help you align your approach during interviews and discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Wagamama. Engaging with them can provide insights into the company’s people services practices and help you understand what they value in a People Services Manager.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed complex employee relations issues in the past. Highlighting your experience will demonstrate your capability to handle the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your analytical skills by being ready to discuss how you've used data to inform decisions in previous roles. This will resonate well with Wagamama's focus on using analytics to drive people initiatives.
We think you need these skills to ace people services manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in people services management, employee relations, and team leadership. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to handle complex employment matters and lead a team effectively.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the role and the company. Mention how your values align with Wagamama's culture of good food and good vibes. Be sure to address how you can contribute to their people services agenda.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since the role involves using analytics to inform decisions, include examples of how you've used data to identify trends or improve processes in previous roles. This will demonstrate your ability to prioritise effectively.
Highlight Your Communication Skills: Given the need to communicate with various levels within the organisation, provide examples of how you've successfully adapted your communication style to different audiences. This could include training sessions or presentations you've led.
How to prepare for a job interview at Wagamama
✨Know the Company Culture
Before your interview, take some time to understand Wagamama's culture and values. They emphasise good food, good vibes, and good company, so be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs.
✨Demonstrate Your Employee Relations Expertise
As a People Services Manager, you'll need to showcase your experience in managing complex employee relations. Be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully handled similar situations in the past, including any tribunal cases or policy developments.
✨Highlight Your Leadership Skills
Wagamama is looking for someone who can inspire and develop their team. Prepare to discuss your leadership style and provide specific examples of how you've motivated your team and fostered collaboration in previous roles.
✨Be Data-Driven
The role requires the ability to interpret data and analytics to inform decisions. Come prepared with examples of how you've used data to identify trends and prioritise areas of focus in your previous positions.
