Job Description

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We're the UK's leading premium publisher, and the people behind iconic media brands such as Cosmopolitan, Esquire, ELLE, Harper's Bazaar and Country Living. We've created a working environment that encourages everyone to pull together. We never stop looking for brave new ideas. We'll always try to develop and improve, we trust each other to do our best, and we have fun as we build on our heritage to make history.
The Role...
A key Strategic Business Partner role that will lead in shaping the people strategy and people agenda for our UK business.
The Head of Business Partnering will be ambitious, proactive, energetic and solutions focused. They will be pivotal in driving strategic HR support across commercial & editorial teams. This includes ensuring we find, grow and keep brilliant people, drive a performance and growth culture, and keep abreast of ER across the business area overall.
You will lead a small but impactful Business Partner team, including a Senior People Business Partner, a People Business Partner and a People Advisor, to deliver pragmatic end-to-end people solutions to enable the business areas that they support.
The team is led by a Director of People and Culture with three direct reports and a total team of 11 people and 1 freelance L&D wizard: Head of Business Partnering, Head of Operations and Head of Talent Acquisition. The team already has a very strong reputation in the business in adding value and making an impact on the culture and business strategy. It's a sector that is in disruption so there is so much opportunity to change the narrative and make our own path to success.
There is a clear 5-year plan, and the people team are integral in enabling this to happen. The Director of People has been in place for 6 months and has a seat around the Exec table and already built a strong relationship with the CEO, CFO and the Exec. There is a new People Strategy that we are 3 months into and lots of big ambitions to achieve.
Are you ready to do the best work of your life? If so, read on...
Main Duties...

• Be a trusted advisor and coach to our Executive & Senior leadership team. Providing expert guidance on people-related matters, including organisational design, culture, engagement, workforce planning, and talent management.
• Act as number 2 to the People and Culture Director, proactively driving the People strategy and key projects, and providing leadership for the People team.
• Oversee the design and implementation of performance management, employee engagement, and succession planning initiatives.
• Lead, coach, and mentor the 3 strong People Business partner team, ensuring consistently high performance.
• Continue the evolution of the Business Partner team to strategic and consultative partners to the business.
• Ensure effective collaboration between the HRBP, Talent Acquisition & Development Partner and People Ops teams to deliver cohesive people strategies. Proactively lead on any issue resolution required.
• Create a supportive and innovative environment where team members can grow and excel.
• Partner with the Talent Acquisition & Development Partner to develop career pathways and learning programs tailored to staff, supporting their growth and development.
• Partner with the Head of Operations on compensation and benefits, payroll administration and HR Administration.
• Foster a talent development culture that aligns with functional needs and industry trends.
• Drive initiatives to build a positive employee experience, enhancing engagement, wellbeing, and retention across the entire UK business.
• Lead complex employee relations issues, ensuring a fair and consistent approach to People policies.
• Take ownership of People policies, ensuring the team update, enhance and rollout where necessary.
• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within the function, promoting a culture of belonging.
• Lead change initiatives across the UK business. Seamlessly guide the business through periods of transformation, ensuring effective communication and minimal disruption, providing direction, expertise and coaching to managers and leaders.
• Establish key performance indicators to measure the effectiveness of People Team initiatives.
• Provide data-driven insights to leadership to influence decision-making on people strategies.
• To be an ambassador of Hearst UK and its values.
• You may be required to undertake such further duties as your skills, qualifications and experience allow and/or as may be assigned to you from time to time.

What We Are Looking For...

• A seasoned senior business partner, with proven strategic and commercial business partnering experience.
• People management experience.
• Proven experience managing large scale change management and strong ER skills second to none.
• A self-starter who isn't afraid to muck in and get involved in work at all levels.
• Someone who can be solutions focused at all times.
• An excellent People leader with the ability to engage and inspire the People team and demonstrate strategic business partnering at its best.
• Experience in media / Publishing / membership sectors would be a plus but open to all sectors
• Experience working in a matrix organisation.
• Excellent knowledge of UK employment law and practice and being able to apply that knowledge commercially to benefit all involved
• Excellent presentation, communication, and influencing skills at all levels.
• Strong relationship and collaborative skills, with experience working within a matrix environment.
• Ability to work with pace & energy to handle complexity & volume with ease at 100 miles an hour.
• Loves working in a team environment and really cares about what they do - treats it likes it's their own business.
• No ego, kind, fun and driven deliver results.

Benefits...
(Your benefits at Hearst UK are more than just extras-they are tools to help you thrive in every part of life)
Hearst Exclusives - Only for You!

• Get adventurous with Good Housekeeping Taste and Beauty Testing Panels - yes, you could be trying the next big thing in beauty, food & drink.
• Snag luxe beauty steals at our legendary office sample sales - score big on top brands without breaking the bank!

Inclusion, Health & Wellbeing: Feel Your Best

• Stay healthy with Specsavers eye care, a company-funded Health Cash Plan , and access to mental health support.
• Get active and stress-free with discounted gym memberships and the Cycle to Work scheme.
• Embrace flexibility with a Location Flex and Holiday Exchange to take time when you need it.
• Take time to give back with a Charity Day and access wellbeing resources whenever you need them.
• Join one of our Hearst ERG Groups.

Financial Wellness - Boost Your Budget

• Plan ahead with a generous Workplace Pension, Income Protection, Life Assurance and Season Ticket Loan for easier commuting.
• Make smarter money moves using Salary Finance tools, Financial Wellbeing sessions, and Home Tech benefits to spread costs.
• Treat yourself with major discounts across London plus everyday savings via the HAPI at Hearst app

About Us:
Benefits
Your benefits at Hearst UK are more than just extras-they are tools to help you thrive in every part of life.
Hearst Exclusives - Only for You!
Get adventurous with Good Housekeeping Taste and Beauty Testing Panels - yes, you could be trying the next big thing in beauty, food & drink.
Snag luxe beauty steals at our legendary office sample sales - score big on top brands without breaking the bank!
Inclusion, Health & Wellbeing: Feel Your Best
Stay healthy with Specsavers eye care, a company-funded Health Cash Plan, and access to mental health support.
Get active and stress-free with discounted gym memberships and the Cycle to Work scheme.
Embrace flexibility with a Location Flex and Holiday Exchange to take time when you need it.
Take time to give back with a Charity Day and access wellbeing resources whenever you need them.
Join one of our Hearst ERG Groups.
Financial Wellness - Boost Your Budget
Plan ahead with a generous Workplace Pension, Income Protection, Life Assurance and Season Ticket Loan for easier commuting.
Make smarter money moves using Salary Finance tools, Financial Wellbeing sessions, and Home Tech benefits to spread costs.
Treat yourself with major discounts across London plus everyday savings via the HAPI at Hearst app
There's more to your story than you imagine. And the next chapter begins right here.
Hearst UK is deeply committed to using our influential brands to reflect the world we want to live in - one that respects, protects, represents and uplifts the voices and opinions of all people. As a business, we recognise the significant benefits of creativity, collaboration and innovation that comes with diverse teams. Not only is diversifying the voices in our organization the right thing to do, but it also helps us to make powerful and exciting content that can be enjoyed by many more people. This is why we're working to build a sense of true belonging within our business and foster a culture in which everyone feels heard.