Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive DEI, talent management, and wellbeing initiatives across WHSmith's retail businesses.
- Company: Join WHSmith, a historic UK retail brand focused on innovation and inclusion.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and strong commitment to personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by fostering inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive.
- Qualifications: Experience in DEI, wellbeing, or talent management; strong facilitation and coaching skills.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team dedicated to creating a positive workplace culture.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you passionate about creating inclusive, engaging workplaces where people can thrive? We\’re looking for a DEI, Wellbeing & Talent Partner to join our HR team and help drive forward our global people strategy across WHSmith\’s retail businesses.
This is a unique opportunity to play a leading role across three critical areas: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), Talent Management & Performance, and Colleague Wellbeing. Working from our Aldgate Head Office with hybrid flexibility, you\’ll be a trusted partner and advisor to leaders, HR colleagues and colleague networks.
What You\’ll Be Doing
Talent Management & Performance
- Partner with leaders to identify, develop and retain key talent across global teams.
- Support the delivery of talent frameworks including succession planning and leadership development.
- Guide the performance cycle, embedding fair and inclusive practices.
- Coach managers on performance conversations, career growth and goal setting.
- Analyse talent and performance data to highlight opportunities and risk areas.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
- Deliver our global DEI strategy, ensuring it\’s embedded across the colleague lifecycle, from recruitment, development, promotion and retention.
- Support and guide colleague networks with governance, meaningful action, measurable progress and senior sponsorship.
- Track and report DEI progress, building awareness and inclusive capability through training and events.
- Analyse DEI data to review progress, highlight opportunities and risk areas.
- Collaborate with stakeholders across the business to integrate DEI principles into policy, processes, and everyday ways of working.
Wellbeing & Crisis Support
- Be the first point of contact for wellbeing escalations, providing access to appropriate support.
- Partner with EAP providers, and HR teams to deliver wellbeing initiatives and crisis support.
- Drive proactive wellbeing activity, including physical, mental, social and financial wellbeing.
Strategic Collaboration
- Provide expert insight on global trends and best practice across DEI, talent and wellbeing.
- Work closely with HR Business Partners and Centres of Excellence to deliver cohesive people strategies.
- Ensure legal compliance with wellbeing and inclusion policies across regions.
What We\’re Looking For
Essential Skills & Experience
- Proven experience in DEI, wellbeing, or talent management within a complex or global organisation.
- Strong knowledge of performance frameworks and inclusive leadership practices.
- Confident managing wellbeing or crisis cases with empathy and discretion.
- Strong facilitation, coaching and data-analysis skills.
- Comfortable engaging stakeholders at all levels with a proactive, solutions-focused approach.
Desirable
- Experience in retail or other fast-paced, customer-driven industries.
- Global or matrixed organisation exposure.
- CIPD qualification or relevant accreditation in wellbeing, mental health, or coaching.
You\’ll Thrive in This Role If You Are…
- Inclusive
– You champion belonging and model inclusive behaviours. - Collaborative
– You work across teams and geographies to deliver impact. - Resilient
– You stay composed through ambiguity and sensitive situations. - Empathetic
– You care deeply about people and their experiences at work. - Insightful
– You turn trends and data into meaningful, strategic action.
What Success Looks Like
- Strong internal talent pipelines and leadership succession.
- Progress against our DEI targets and improved inclusion scores.
- Increased colleague engagement in wellbeing programmes.
- Active and visible colleague networks (ERGs).
- Positive feedback from business leaders and team members.
Why Join WHSmith?
With a rich history dating back over 230 years, WHSmith is one of the UK\’s most iconic retail brands – and we\’re continuing to grow both in the UK and internationally. You\’ll be joining a business that is proud of its heritage, but focused on the future: innovating, modernising, and putting people at the heart of everything we do.
We offer:
- Competitive salary and benefits
- Hybrid working (2–3 days a week in our Aldgate office)
- Strong commitment to development and internal progression
- A culture that values wellbeing, inclusion and personal growth
Ready to Make a Difference?
Apply now and help us build a workplace where every colleague can thrive, grow, and feel a true sense of belonging.
DEI, Wellbeing employer: WHSmith
Contact Detail:
WHSmith Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land DEI, Wellbeing
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. Show them you’re not just a fit for the role, but for their team too!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, but keep it natural. We want you to sound confident, not rehearsed!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and show your enthusiasm for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace DEI, Wellbeing
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the DEI, Wellbeing & Talent Partner role. Highlight your passion for creating inclusive workplaces and any relevant achievements in talent management or wellbeing.
Showcase Your Experience: Don’t just list your previous roles; share specific examples of how you've contributed to DEI initiatives or wellbeing programmes. We want to see how you’ve made a difference in past positions, so be sure to include measurable outcomes where possible.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We value authenticity and want to get a sense of who you are beyond your qualifications. Share your motivations for applying and what drives your passion for DEI and colleague wellbeing.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our official website. This ensures it gets to the right people and shows us you're serious about joining our team at WHSmith!
How to prepare for a job interview at WHSmith
✨Know Your DEI Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and best practices in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Be ready to discuss how you can embed DEI principles into every aspect of the colleague lifecycle, from recruitment to retention.
✨Showcase Your Coaching Skills
Prepare examples of how you've coached managers on performance conversations and career growth. Highlight your experience in guiding teams through talent management frameworks and how you’ve made these processes more inclusive.
✨Be Data-Savvy
Since analysing talent and performance data is key, come prepared with insights from your past experiences. Discuss how you've used data to identify opportunities and risks in DEI or wellbeing initiatives.
✨Emphasise Your Empathy
As a DEI, Wellbeing & Talent Partner, empathy is crucial. Share stories that demonstrate your ability to handle wellbeing escalations with care and discretion, and how you’ve supported colleagues through challenging situations.
