Job Description

People Business Partner – Permanent - £70,325

Join us and be part of a mission-driven, independent publisher. You’ll work with a diverse group of people who share a passion for empowering researchers, educators, and institutions to shape the future.

About Sage:

Sage is a global academic publisher of books, journals, and library resources with a growing range of technologies to enable discovery, access, and engagement. Believing that research and education are critical in shaping society, Sara Miller McCune founded Sage in 1965. Today, we are controlled by a group of trustees charged with maintaining our independence and mission indefinitely. 

Our guaranteed independence means we’re free to:

• Do more – supporting an equitable academic future, furthering disciplines that drive social change, and helping social and behavioural science make an impact
• Work together – building lasting relationships, championing diverse perspectives, and co-creating resources to transform teaching and learning
• Think long-term – experimenting, taking risks, and investing in new ideas

About our Team:

When you join our team, you will be ready for fast-paced and challenging work that makes a difference to our evolving business. We strive towards our objectives and get creative to ensure the employee experience is at the heart of what we do. We are a trusted partner to our leadership team and ultimately deliver results.

You will immerse yourself among our teams and experienced individuals who encourage, support, and challenge you. We enable your performance through stretching goals, targeted development, and exposure to exciting work and people. This sets us apart from others, so we look to be curious, courageous, driven, and eager to connect the dots and engage with others.

Could you be our new People Business Partner? We are looking for:

• Significant working experience as a commercial People Business Partner in a global organisation
• CIPD Qualified Level 5+
• In-depth practical working knowledge of employment legislation and its application in developing pragmatic business solutions.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing DEI strategies.
• Proactive, self-motivated, solution focused attitude, with a strong attention to detail and able to adapt positively to change.
• Excellent communication skills, self-confident and able to influence at all levels.
• Experienced in conflict resolution and mediation.
• Comfortable working independently and collaboratively on strategic People and Culture global projects.
• Able to utilise strong analytical and problem-solving skills to translate data insights into actionable strategies and measurable results.
• Proficient in the use of MS Office and HRIS.

Your new role:

In this role, you will partner with business leaders, key stakeholders, and People and Culture specialists to shape, develop, and deliver strategic People and Culture plans and solutions that align with the business's long-term goals. Serve as the UK People and Culture expert, providing high-level guidance and support to managers and staff, and championing the company’s DEI agenda. Lead or collaborate on local and global projects to drive forward innovative people initiatives. You can expect to:

• Collaborate with the AVP of Human Resources, the Associate Director for People Business Partnering and colleagues to develop and implement People and Culture strategies that reflect best practices and comply with legal standards.
• Translate business requirements into strategic People and Culture initiatives, delivering commercial people solutions that support business objectives in areas such as workforce planning, organisational design, change management, and employee development.
• Provide strategic People and Culture advice, leading managers and employees on complex employee relations issues, ensuring consistent and fair handling in line with company policies and employment law. This includes areas such as flexible working, overseas assignments, family leave, performance management, and employee well-being.
• Drive forward the company equality, diversity and inclusion (DEI) strategy by working with the Office of DEI to ensure consistent and ongoing dialogue with all stakeholders; VPG, managers, employees and third parties working with SAGE, seeking to understand, challenge and influence behaviours and attitudes that may limit the company’s ability to achieve its aspirational goals.
• Continuously Develop and build strong collaborative relationships with People and Culture specialists including Talent Management, Total Reward, Internal Comms and external advisors (e.g., legal, occupational health, immigration) to ensure the delivery of comprehensive People and Culture services.
• Lead or participate in local and global strategic People and Culture projects, providing expert knowledge and insights to drive forward new people initiatives that support the business's long-term goals.
• Leverage data insights to inform strategic decision-making and drive key People and Culture initiatives.

Overview of benefits:

• 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) with 2 additional floating personal days.
• Hybrid working up to 2 days per week in office and a home working allowance.
• Life assurance, income protection, and travel insurance.
• Private medical cover and access to the company doctor.
• Tuition scheme and support for pursuing professional qualifications, including access to Sage books and journals.
• Variety of snacks and beverages available in the office.
• Healthy lifestyle reimbursement and anniversary trips.
• Access to Company loans (season ticket loan, rental deposit loan, cycle loan).

We’re a Disability Confident Employer (Level 1). If you’d like to apply under this scheme, please let us know in your application.

We’re committed to making our recruitment process accessible and inclusive. If you’d like to request reasonable adjustments, please email humanresources@sagepub.co.uk. Please note we only accept applications via email if an adjustment has been agreed.

Closing date for applications: Thursday 19th November.

To ensure we can give each application the attention it deserves, we may consider bringing the closing date forward. Therefore, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to ensure it is considered.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At Sage, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and to sustaining a culture that celebrates diversity, encourages authenticity, and builds a deep sense of belonging. We encourage applications from all members of society irrespective of age, disability, sex or gender identity, sexual orientation, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion, or belief as crafting value through diversity is what makes us strong.