Human Resources Business Partner

HRBP & HR Transformation

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 with a luxury retail background 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 a trusted partner to the HR Director and to leadership teams across both retail and head office, providing expert HR guidance and thoughtful, strategic support across all areas of people management. The ideal candidate knows retail inside and out and combines technical excellence in UK employment law and complex HR case management with a strong, engaging presence. You are known for your emotional intelligence, credibility and an ability to build meaningful relationships at all levels of the business.

This role will play a key part in shaping the next chapter of HR at Hermès GB. We are looking for someone with experience of HR transformation, someone who brings curiosity and a discerning eye to how we work, and who is energised by the opportunity to refine, simplify and elevate our practices. You will be comfortable reviewing existing ways of working, introducing best practice and driving thoughtful innovation, always balancing progress with our deeply human, relationship‑led culture.

At Hermès we value in‑person bonds and connection. As a result, this role is primarily on‑site across our Mayfair Head Office and stores, with up to 20 days working from home per year.

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

2. Strategic Partnership

• Play a pivotal role in shaping our people culture and supporting our ambitious growth journey
• Work alongside the HR Director to partner with Store Directors and the 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
• Contribute to the ongoing evolution of HR at Hermès GB, bringing a thoughtful and forward-looking approach to how we work, ensuring a values-led approach

3. 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 expert advice 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

4. Operational Excellence & HR Transformation

• 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
• Proactively review existing HR processes and ways of working, identifying opportunities to simplify, refine and elevate the employee and manager experience
• Lead and support HR transformation initiatives, embedding best practice while ensuring our approach remains thoughtful, human and relationship-led
• Introduce and champion continuous improvement, balancing innovation with the heritage and culture of Hermès
• Bring a structured yet pragmatic approach to change, supporting leaders and teams to adopt new ways of working with clarity and confidence
• Ensure best-in-class standards of governance, risk management and employee communications

About You

Essential

• Ability to work on-site 5 days/week
• Extensive experience as a Senior HRBP or senior HR generalist within luxury retail is essential
• 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)
• 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 and the ability to lead and grow a developing HR team
• High professionalism, confidentiality, cultural awareness, and alignment with Hermès values
• Experience leading HR transformation initiatives within a complex, people‑centric organisation
• A natural ability to step back and thoughtfully review ways of working, identifying opportunities to streamline, refine and elevate processes
• Confidence in introducing and embedding best practice, with a balanced approach to innovation that respects culture, relationships and the wider business context
• A proactive, improvement‑led mindset, motivated by shaping HR practices that are both efficient and deeply human

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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