At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a recruitment team and shape talent strategies for Wickes' growth.
- Company: Join Wickes, a dynamic retailer expanding from 228 to 300 stores by 2030.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hybrid working, competitive salary, and a range of wellbeing perks.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace committed to diversity and employee wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on recruitment strategies and candidate experiences in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in recruitment leadership and team management, ideally in retail.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
It’s an exciting time to join Wickes as we build a new recruitment team and move to a centralised model for our stores, where we can support our ambitious growth plans and drive our expansion from 228 to 300 stores by 2030. This role is an opportunity to lead a small recruitment team, help shape the talent strategy, and make a visible impact on the future growth of Wickes.
The Role
We are looking for a Senior Recruitment Business Partner to lead a divisional retail recruitment team. You will take full accountability for divisional recruitment delivery, translating workforce demand plans into actionable sourcing strategies. You will be leading a dedicated team (Recruitment Business Partner and a Recruitment Advisor), with a focus on proactive sourcing, creating an exceptional candidate experience and partnering with Regional leaders to support our business growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Own and execute the divisional recruitment strategy for Store Operations.
- Manage the end‑to‑end lifecycle for Store Manager vacancies while overseeing the team's delivery across BAU, Design Consultants, Assistant Manager and colleague roles.
- Provide direct management, coaching and performance development to your direct reports, and set high recruitment standards across the division.
- Partner with Central Operations and Data Leads to align recruitment activity with workforce demand plans, actively mapping internal succession pipelines and identifying external talent trends.
- Build strong relationships with Regional Leaders, Divisional Directors, and HRBPs, providing data‑driven reporting and strategic talent insights to influence regional people strategies.
- Champion the candidate journey ensuring a seamless, professional, and supportive experience from initial attraction to onboarding.
- Drive operational excellence against key SLAs and KPIs (Time to Offer, Quality of Hire, Cost per Hire), while maintaining compliance with employment law, Right to Work, and GDPR.
About You
You will need to be a resilient, data focussed, and highly influential recruitment leader who can operate at a fast pace maintaining attention to detail and focus on candidates and stakeholders. You’ll be an experienced senior talent acquisition partner with either in‑house or agency experience, with a track record in developing and managing team performance and coaching. Experience in recruiting leadership for retail multi‑site operations or specialised, high‑value sales roles would be beneficial - you will be comfortable leading the team but involved in ‘hands‑on’ delivery too. You’ll have expertise in proactive search, engaging passive talent, and utilising data and market analysis. The ability to confidently collaborate with and influence senior stakeholders, such as Regional Leaders and other key stakeholders across the business is essential. You will also have a strong understanding of Applicant Tracking System (ATS) optimisation and employer branding.
What we can offer you
We offer flexible hybrid working with a base location of our Watford Support Centre, and the role requires a minimum of 2 days onsite team working. You’ll be supported with fantastic learning and development and have the opportunity to grow and develop your career with us. We’ll also equip you with a benefits package that includes:
- A competitive package to include an annual bonus of up to 15%
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Contributory pension and life assurance
- Save‑as‑you‑earn scheme
- 20% colleague discount
- Other financial and wellbeing benefits include Cashback health scheme, Cycle to work, Life assurance, Peppy, Aviva Digital GP, Financial Education & loans, Discount platform including savings and cashback at numerous retailers, savings on gym membership.
We aim to create an inclusive workplace with colleagues’ wellbeing at the heart of everything we do. We’re a Disability Confident Employer and committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from disabled people and are committed to providing an accessible recruitment process and workplace for everyone. If you require any support or reasonable adjustments, please let us know here.
Apply now! Closing date for applications is Sunday 14th June.
Senior Recruitment Business Partner in Watford employer: Wickes
Wickes is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and development, offering a dynamic work culture where you can make a tangible impact on our ambitious expansion plans. With flexible hybrid working arrangements based at our Watford Support Centre, we provide a comprehensive benefits package, including competitive bonuses, generous holiday allowances, and a commitment to inclusivity and wellbeing. Join us to lead a dedicated recruitment team and shape the future of our retail operations in a supportive and innovative environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Recruitment Business Partner in Watford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the retail industry, especially those who work at Wickes or similar companies. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about the role and even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Wickes' growth plans and recent news. Show us you’re genuinely interested in how you can contribute to their ambitious expansion from 228 to 300 stores by 2030.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've influenced senior leaders and shaped people strategies in your previous roles. We want to hear about your impact!
✨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 serious about joining our team and contributing to our exciting journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Recruitment Business Partner in Watford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Recruitment Business Partner role. Highlight your experience in strategic business partnering and people leadership, as these are key for us at Wickes.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use data and examples to demonstrate how you've influenced senior leaders and shaped people strategies in previous roles.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about recruitment and how you can contribute to our ambitious growth plans at Wickes.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wickes
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Wickes' recruitment strategy and growth plans. Familiarise yourself with their current store operations and how your experience aligns with their ambitious goal of expanding from 228 to 300 stores by 2030.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience in leading recruitment teams. Share specific examples of how you've coached team members and set high recruitment standards, as this role requires strong people leadership.
✨Data is Your Best Friend
Prepare to talk about how you've used data to inform recruitment strategies in the past. Highlight your ability to leverage data storytelling to influence senior stakeholders and align recruitment activities with workforce demand plans.
✨Champion the Candidate Experience
Wickes values an exceptional candidate journey, so be prepared to discuss how you've ensured a seamless experience for candidates in previous roles. Share your strategies for engaging passive talent and maintaining compliance throughout the recruitment process.
