At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive HR strategies and lead transformation projects in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join WHSmith Travel, a leading FTSE-listed business with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hybrid working, staff discounts, and paid holidays.
- Other info: A fantastic opportunity for career growth in a fast-paced organisation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on people strategy and cultural change.
- Qualifications: Experience in HR with strong strategic thinking and stakeholder skills.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 € per year.
Overview
Senior HR Business Partner to join our fast-paced WHSmith Travel division. You’ll partner with senior leaders to drive our people strategy, lead key transformation projects (including our 2025/26 office move), and support areas like IT, Finance, Logistics, and HR. This is a strategic, hands-on role for a commercially minded HR generalist with a background in organisational design, change management, and employee relations. Location: Swindon (Hybrid - 3 days a week in the office). Employment type: Full-time.
What you’ll do
- Deliver HR strategies aligned to business goals
- Lead cultural change and engagement initiatives
- Manage complex ER cases and coach leaders
- Drive succession planning and capability building
- Own people data and insights for Travel
- Lead key projects, including our major office move
What you’ll need
- Experience in a fast-paced, complex organisation
- Strategic thinker with excellent stakeholder skills
- Resilient, pragmatic, and people-focused
What’s in it for you?
- Flexible hybrid working - 3 days in the office, 2 from home
- Staff discounts & paid holidays
- A key role in a FTSE-listed business
Seniority level
- Mid-Senior level
Employment type
- Full-time
Job function
- Human Resources
- Retail
Senior Human Resources Business Partner in Swindon employer: WHSmith
WHSmith Travel is an exceptional employer that values its employees by offering a flexible hybrid working model, allowing for a balanced work-life dynamic. With a strong focus on employee growth and engagement, you will have the opportunity to lead transformative projects in a supportive environment, all while enjoying benefits such as staff discounts and paid holidays. Located in Swindon, this role provides a unique chance to be part of a FTSE-listed business that prioritises strategic HR initiatives and cultural change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Human Resources Business Partner in Swindon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at WHSmith or in similar roles on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info and might just get our foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company culture and recent projects. We want to show that we’re not just a fit for the role, but also for the team and their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice our pitch! We should be ready to explain how our experience aligns with their needs, especially around change management and employee relations. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows we’re genuinely interested in joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Human Resources Business Partner in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Senior HR Business Partner. Highlight your experience in organisational design and change management, as these are key for us. Use specific examples that show how you've driven people strategies in the past.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Tell us why you're passionate about HR and how you can contribute to our fast-paced environment. Mention your experience with cultural change and engagement initiatives to really grab our attention.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills:In your application, don’t forget to highlight your excellent stakeholder skills. We want to see how you've successfully partnered with senior leaders in previous roles. Share stories that demonstrate your strategic thinking and resilience.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at WHSmith
✨Know Your HR Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of HR strategies, organisational design, and change management. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully implemented these in past roles, especially in fast-paced environments.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to engage with senior leaders and manage complex relationships. Think about times when you’ve influenced decision-making or driven cultural change within an organisation.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific HR challenges, like managing employee relations cases or leading a major office move. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers clearly.
✨Demonstrate Your Resilience
In a fast-paced role, resilience is key. Share stories that illustrate how you've navigated challenges and maintained focus on business goals, showing that you're both pragmatic and people-focused.
