Human Resources Business Partner in Rochdale

The HR Business Partners support Zen’s people‑first culture by understanding the needs of our Commercial and Support divisions and combining this with a detailed understanding of our People Strategy to identify what decisions, actions and activities will support company growth whilst remaining an award winning, People First company. Working closely with the other HR Business Partner, business leaders and the L&D Business Partners, this role ensures that Zen’s strategic People priorities are met, whilst still contributing to the success of our divisions and therefore, our overall company performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing guidance on formal and informal employee relations and grievance issues within the relevant divisions, working closely with the HRBP for other divisions to ensure consistency of approach.
• Supporting the onboarding of new managers.
• Contributing to the effectiveness of Zen’s performance management process and guiding others through the process, providing expert guidance on complex situations.
• Working collaboratively with the other Business Partners (HR, Resource & L&D) to provide a rounded HR service to the business, to ensure engaged colleagues and optimal business performance.
• Providing guidance and advice to managers on pay and pay related decisions, including the review of salary ranges and ensuring the integrity of Zen’s pay structure.
• Challenging behaviours that do not support Zen’s culture.
• Providing guidance and support to managers on performance, conduct & absence issues.
• Overseeing, developing and implementing HR policies and practices which enable managers to adopt an effective people management approach, including follow up ‘embedding’ activities.
• Compiling regular HR management information and using this to inform decisions and recommendations – this may be from your own research, via our HR system, or in collaboration with our Administrator.
• Providing support and input into divisional / business change projects. This may involve sitting on the Senior Management Team (SMT) within divisions, forming part of the role and responsibilities.
• Coaching and supporting line managers to get the best from their teams, to identify talent, succession plan and reduce single points of failure. This includes working closely with the L&D Business Partners, identifying training needs and opportunities for improvement and support, in a model that promotes “Train the Trainer” utilising Digital training and face‑to‑face training as appropriate.
• Contributing to the delivery of the overall People Plan – including ensuring that any ‘local’ i.e. divisional people plans are broadly aligned to the overall Zen People Plan, and working on cross‑function projects e.g. HR and L&D.
• Working closely with the Marketing Team to ensure that internal communication within the division aligns with the overall communication strategy for Zen.
• Suggesting and leading on activities in response to colleague feedback e.g. Pulse Surveys and Great Place to Work Surveys.
• Providing guidance and some practical support during recruitment, particularly during attraction and selection stages. This may include utilising LinkedIn and any other appropriate attraction/search methods and/or interactions with recruitment agencies.
• Contributing to the achievement of Zen’s DEIB strategy and objectives including active promotion and involvement within the networks and more broadly in our community and work experience objectives.
• Contributing to the companywide Wellbeing Plan and our commitment to be a Psychologically safe workplace.
• Commitment to experiment with and share ideas of how best to utilise automation (including the use of AI) with the team and wider business.
• Supporting the development of less experienced members of the HR team.
• Monthly reporting and adhoc appropriate updates and escalations to the Head of People.

Skills & Experience

• Previous experience of HR business partnering strategically within a commercial business.
• The ability to influence and challenge senior managers.
• A willingness to integrate closely with the business with a view to understanding their challenges and working as part of a Divisional leadership team, combined with the understanding that we need to retain a cohesive companywide approach, aligned to our overall People Plan and Policies.
• Experience of delivering companywide projects/managing virtual teams.
• Experience of gathering and analysing colleague feedback, analysing results, and producing comms and activities in response.
• An appreciation of the full employee life‑cycle, including development, wellbeing and building a great culture to ensure high performance.
• Self‑motivated, confident acting autonomously, with the confidence to deal with the unexpected.
• A flexible approach to work and a willingness to pull together to achieve team results.
• Excellent organisation skills, prioritisation skills & attention to detail.
• A self‑starter with the confidence to recommend changes to existing HR practice.
• Ability to face into difficult situations with a professional, yet personable manner.
• Up to date knowledge of UK employment legislation and HR best practice.
• Experience of attraction and selection processes during recruitment.
• A natural curiosity for utilising automation/AI within HR will be advantageous.

Benefits

• 2 x Life Assurance Cover, with option to flex upwards.
• 25 days Annual leave, rising to 30 days with length of service, with the option to purchase up to 5 more.
• Access to private Medical Healthcare and a Healthcare Cash Plan.
• An extra day off for your birthday.
• Car salary sacrifice scheme.
• Continuous learning and development.
• Discounted Mobile plans.
• Flexible and Hybrid working.
• Free onsite parking.
• Internal coaching and mentoring opportunities.
• Onsite Contemplation and Prayer room.
• Onsite Electric Car Charging points.
• Optional flexible critical illness cover.
• People-friendly policies.
• Recognition awards where we celebrate the most awesome people.
• Salary sacrifice Pension – minimum of 3% Employee contributions for a 5% Employer contribution.
• Six monthly salary reviews.
• Subsidised Nursery fees.
• Subsidised Onsite Restaurant.
• Superfast Free Reliable Broadband.
• Travel Loan and Ride2Work Schemes.
• Two days’ paid leave per year for voluntary work.

So, if you're looking for a job where your values matter, where you can help build a future where business is a force for good, join us and help make a difference. Whether you're just starting out or bringing years of experience, your work at Zen will have real impact on our people, customers, communities, and the planet.