At a Glance
- Tasks: Support retail teams with HR expertise and drive employee engagement.
- Company: Join White Stuff, a vibrant brand known for its unique clothing and accessories.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous holiday, and a 50% discount on products.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a supportive environment that values creativity and collaboration.
- Qualifications: 6 years of HR experience in retail and strong relationship-building skills.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to creating a great workplace.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
White Stuff was established in 1985 through a simple idea. This idea grew and now we have shops and concessions in the UK and internationally, selling women's and men's clothing as well as beautiful accessories and homeware. Our original prints (all designed in house), intricate details and considered design touches reflect our personality and make us subtly distinctive.
Our people are at the heart of our brand, constantly moving and driving us forward. We’re sociable, talented and like-minded and we’re not hierarchical or political in how we do business. We encourage entrepreneurial ideas and accountability at all levels.
Who you are
- An experienced HR generalist with a proven track record in managing Retail human resources and partnering with senior business stakeholders.
- Experience working in a retailer environment is a must.
- Good working knowledge and experience of managing ER cases and formal processes (such as structure changes, performance reviews, contract adjustments etc).
- A keen interest in employee engagement and be a key driver of our internal values and culture.
Primary objective of the job
As the People Business Partner for Retail, you will take responsibility for providing outstanding People support to colleagues within our Retail sector, across UK, Ireland and Germany by partnering closely with the Head of Retail, Regional and Cluster Managers and Germany Concession Managers. This role is a combination of HR generalist, delivering the core people processes and HR project management to support continuous development. Lead and develop a team.
What you’ll be doing
- Leadership and Coaching
- Supporting the Retail leadership team to succeed, by building solid, open and dynamic relationships.
- Building line manager capability by truly understanding stakeholder’s accountabilities and barriers and identifying creative tools and mechanisms to support the development of a high performing culture.
- Colleague Engagement
- Championing colleague engagement by developing innovative ways to drive talent development and staff retention by partnering Retail to identify opportunities and keeping engagement at the heart of everything we do.
- Working alongside key stakeholders to ensure the communication and implementation of projects lands collaboratively and brilliantly.
- Be the voice of Retail by listening to colleagues and rallying relevant areas of the business to support.
- Employee Relations
- Increasing the capability of your team and line managers to manage ER cases effectively, commercially and in line with our company values, through coaching, training and advising (including disciplinary, grievance, performance management etc.).
- Identifying common ER trends or patterns and creating proactive solutions to rectify or remedy these for the future.
- Ensuring a consistent approach throughout all business areas by working closely with other People team members.
- Identifying opportunities to enhance and evolve existing or create new policies, processes and procedures to ensure White Stuff stays a great place to work.
- Projects/Strategy/Core
- Helping create and shape the Retail People Strategy to support evolution and growth.
- Partnering with the Retail leadership team to identify and advise on recommended organisational and change management strategies.
- Ensuring the core People processes (such as Pay Review/ Bonus/ Appraisals) are delivered brilliantly.
- Working alongside line managers and leaders to engage and take ownership of Talent Management and People Planning processes.
- Constantly reviewing why and how we do things to make sure they are innovative, current, fit for purpose and in line with our company values.
What you’ll need
- 6 years operational People and ER experience – being able to effectively advise colleagues and partners on day-to-day and longer-term basis on complex People matters.
- Management experience – leading and developing an exceptional People team.
- Relationship building – being able to establish genuine and solid effective relationships that help drive business success.
- Project management – experience of effectively managing ad hoc projects as well as the annual People processes.
- Strategic foresight – the ability to translate existing strategy into operational People Plans, and to contribute towards the development of strategy.
- Creativity and collaborative working – the passion and desire to create great solutions together.
- Authenticity, resilience, adaptability, a fun and engaging outlook and a good sense of humour.
What we will offer you
- Hybrid working
- Annual bonus opportunity
- Up to 25 days holiday per annum, plus bank holidays
- 2 extra (paid!) days off per year to volunteer in the local community
- 50% discount
- Subsidised BUPA Dental Insurance
- Healthcare cash plan and Life Assurance
- Interest free season ticket loan
- Pension Contribution
We are committed to creating an environment where we can all be proud to work and be ourselves. Part of this commitment is being an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, and age.
Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Business Development and Sales
Industries: Retail Apparel and Fashion
People Business Partner (Retail) in London employer: White Stuff
Contact Detail:
White Stuff Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land People Business Partner (Retail) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the retail industry and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company culture at White Stuff. Understand their values and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed ER cases or driven employee engagement in previous roles. This will show that you can bring real value to the People Business Partner position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the White Stuff family.
We think you need these skills to ace People Business Partner (Retail) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the People Business Partner role. Highlight your HR generalist experience, especially in retail, and any specific achievements that showcase your ability to manage ER cases and drive employee engagement.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about the role and how your background aligns with our values. Be sure to mention your experience in building relationships and supporting leadership teams.
Showcase Your Project Management Skills: Since this role involves project management, include examples of projects you've successfully managed in the past. Whether it's implementing new HR processes or leading talent development initiatives, we want to see your strategic foresight in action!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at White Stuff
✨Know Your Retail Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the retail industry, especially in relation to HR practices. Understand the unique challenges that come with managing people in a retail environment, and be ready to discuss how you've tackled similar issues in the past.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As a People Business Partner, relationship building is key. Prepare examples of how you've successfully built relationships with stakeholders and colleagues. Highlight your ability to listen, engage, and drive employee engagement initiatives.
✨Be Ready for ER Scenarios
Expect questions around employee relations cases. Think of specific instances where you've managed complex ER situations, and be prepared to discuss your approach and the outcomes. This will demonstrate your expertise and confidence in handling sensitive matters.
✨Bring Your Creative Solutions
White Stuff values innovation, so come armed with ideas! Think about how you can contribute to enhancing existing policies or creating new ones. Be ready to share your thoughts on how to foster a high-performing culture and improve colleague engagement.