Human Resources Business Partner

Role Mission

As Hermès enters an exciting phase of strategic expansion within GB, we are seeking an inspiring and deeply human, and relationship‑centered HR leader to join our HR leadership team. We are looking for a highly experienced HR Business Partner (HRBP) to join our HR leadership team. This role will be both strategic and hands-on in supporting the success of our stores in the following locations; Harrods, Cadogan, Royal Exchange, Manchester & Dublin and support our Mayfair Head Office across all functions. 

You will act as trusted partner to the HR Director as well as the leadership team in both retail and head office, providing expert HR guidance and strategic support across all areas of people management. The ideal candidate will combine technical excellence in UK employment law and complex HR case management with a strong, engaging personality, demonstrating emotional intelligence, leadership presence, and the ability to build credibility at all levels of the business. 

Key Responsibilities

1. Leadership & Culture 

• Champion the company culture, ensuring that brand values and behaviours are embedded at every level.
• In partnership with the Leadership team, coach and guide managers to strengthen effective people management capability, communication, and team engagement.
• Lead initiatives that drive a high-performing, inclusive, and wellbeing-focused workplace.
• Build strong and trusted relationships across Hermès GB at all levels aligned with our values
• Develop & nurture trusted relationships at every level, influencing outcomes through credibility, emotional intelligence and commercial insight.
• Lead, coach, and nurture the HR team, developing their capability, confidence, and cohesion to form a high‑performing, people‑centred HR function.

1. Strategic Partnership

• Play a pivotal role in shaping our people culture and supporting our ambitious growth journey. 
• Works alongside the HR Director to partner with the Store Directors and SLT to shape and deliver a people strategy that supports business growth, service excellence, and culture.
• Be the HR leader for a portfolio of UK stores, supporting a workforce of c.300 employees across head office, retail, operations, client experience and management teams.

1. Employee Relations & Employment Law 

• Be the HR lead for complex employee relations cases, ensuring compliance with UK employment law, internal policies, and ethical business practices.
• Provide expertise advise and coach managers on disciplinary, grievance, performance, and capability processes, ensuring legal compliance and the highest standards of fairness and integrity.
• Manage sensitive investigations and case reviews with professionalism, discretion, sound judgement and a balanced people-centred approach.
• Lead on employment law updates and ensure leaders are informed, skilled and compliant.

1. Operational Excellence 

• Collaborate with the wider HR Team and Payroll to ensure seamless employee lifecycle management (onboarding, contracts, compensation, leavers, etc.).
• Analyse and present people metrics (attrition, absence, organisational trends) translating data into insights and actionable recommendations for leadership.
• Drive continuous improvement across HR systems, processes and employee experience contributing to HR projects.
• Ensure best-in-class standards of governance, risk management and employee communications.

About You

Essential

• Extensive experience as a Senior HRBP or senior HR generalist within luxury retail, hospitality, or a premium brand environment.
• Deep and up‑to‑date knowledge of UK employment law and a proven track record in managing complex ER cases.
• Experience supporting multi‑site operations (approx. 300 employees).
• Can demonstrate strong strategic capability with the confidence to operate at senior leadership level.
• Exceptional influencing, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to challenge constructively and with empathy.
• A coaching‑led, empowering approach with strong emotional intelligence with the ability to lead and grown a developing HR team.
• High professionalism, confidentiality, cultural awareness, and alignment with Hermès values.

Desirable

• Experience with HR systems and analytics platforms (e.g., Oracle).
• Exposure to Irish employment law beneficial, though not essential.

Personal Attributes

• A natural leader with gravitas, confidence, and genuine warmth with a humanistic & relationship driven approach to HR.
• A solutions‑focused mindset, balancing strategic thinking with operational excellence.
• Calm, composed, and resilient in complex, quality focused environments.
• A values‑driven ambassador for Hermès; demonstrating integrity, respect, and excellence.
• Passionate about elevating service, people experience, and leadership capability.

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