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People Partner
People Partner (Field-Based) – Retail
At WHSmith, each of our 5,000+ colleagues drives our success by going above and beyond for customers, fostering growth, and shaping the future of our business. Our People team works passionately to create an environment where everyone can be creative, trailblazing, and empowered to deliver their best work.
We’re seeking an experienced HR Business Partner to collaborate closely with our Retail Field Leadership Team across the South of the UK. This is a field-based role tailored for someone who thrives in fast-paced retail environments, valuing visibility, influence, and hands-on engagement.
You’ll play a crucial role in shaping our people strategy, helping leaders drive high performance, enhance engagement, and embed values-led behaviours across their teams.
What You’ll Do
- Partner with the Retail Field Leadership Team to align people strategies with commercial objectives
- Coach and challenge leaders on performance, engagement, capability, and behaviour
- Lead on complex employee relations cases, ensuring fair, consistent, and legally sound outcomes
- Support organisational change, restructures, and consultations with clarity and confidence
- utilise data and insights to identify trends, risks, and opportunities across the region
- Drive talent, succession, and development planning to build future-ready leadership
- Embed people policies, cultural standards, and best practices across stores
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What We’re Looking For
We want a pragmatic and commercially astute leader who can:
- Demonstrate proven experience in a People Partner / HR Business Partner role in a multi-site retail, FMCG, hospitality, or leisure environment
- Have a strong grasp of employee relations and UK employment legislation
- Partner confidently with senior leaders, delivering pacing influence and constructive challenge
- Be solution-focused, autonomous, and comfortable managing ambiguity in a fast-moving, traveling role
- Show ** curricosity and passion for data**, using insights to drive decisions
Our Rewards
We believe in recognising and supporting our teams with benefits that matter:
- Hybrid working model (flexible between home and office)
- 4pm Friday finish
- Flexible working hours
- 25 days holiday + birthday off + public holidays, with extended leave options
- Family-friendly leave
- Company pension scheme
- Sharesave Scheme
- Annual bonus (company + personal performance-based)
- Competitive salary and car allowance
- Private medical coverage
- Cycle-to-work scheme
- Staff discount card for rail travel
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Who We Are
With over 230 years of history, WHSmith is a trusted global brand present in 30+ countries, trusted on journeys through life. As a diverse community of 5,000+ colleagues, we’re united in our commitment to people, planet, and communities.
We operate from two key bases:
- UK Travel & International HQ (London, Aldgate/Liverpool Street)
- Swindon’s International Business Park (M4-adjacent with 100+ parking spaces, excellent transport links)
Our culture thrives on speed, collaboration, and innovation—fostering an entrepreneurial mindset where everyone can shape the future.
Inclusivity is at our core: we celebrate diversity in all forms—race, gender, disability, age, sexuality, religion, and beyond—because every individual’s uniqueness is a strength.
If flexibility is important to you or you require adjustments during our selection process, we’d love to discuss how we can accommodate you. Our Talent Acquisition team will be happy to provide support.
Ready to join a trusted brand that delivers for people, business, and the world? Apply now.
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