Job Description

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.

Hearst UK operate a hybrid working model of four days per week in the office and one day working from home. Our office is based at House of Hearst, 30 Panton Street, St James’s, London, SW1Y 4AJ, where teams collaborate in person and connect across brands and functions.

Closing Date For This Role Is Monday, March 2nd 2026.

The Role…

A Senior Business Partner role that will shape the people strategy and people agenda for our business, working closely with the Director of People.

The Senior Manager/Head Of, Business Partnering will be proactive, energetic and solutions focused. They will play a pivotal role in delivering strategic HR support across our commercial and editorial teams. This includes ensuring we attract, develop and retain brilliant people, foster a high-performance, growth-focused culture, and stay on top of employee relations across the business area.

The team is led by a Director of People and Culture, with three direct reports: This role, alongside the Head of Talent Acquisition & Head of People Operations. The wider team comprises 11 people, including an L&D specialist consultant. The team has built a strong reputation across the business for adding value and driving real cultural and strategic impact. As a sector undergoing rapid change, there is significant opportunity to shape the narrative and define our own path to success.

Depending on the successful candidate, this role may lead a small but high-impact Business Partner team, including a Senior People Business Partner, a People Business Partner and a People Advisor, delivering pragmatic, end-to-end people solutions to support their respective business areas.

There is a clear five-year plan, and the People team is integral to delivering it. The Director of People has been in post for one year and has a seat at the executive table. A defined People Plan is in place, and we are now in year two of delivery.

Ready to do the best work of your life? If so, read on.

Main Duties…

• Act as a trusted advisor and coach to the Executive and Senior Leadership teams within your remit, providing expert guidance on organisational design, culture, engagement, workforce planning and talent management.
• Serve as deputy to the Director of People and Culture, proactively driving the People strategy, leading key projects and providing day-to-day leadership across the function.
• Lead change and transformation initiatives across the UK business, guiding leaders through periods of change with clear communication, practical solutions and minimal disruption.
• Oversee and embed core people processes, including performance management, employee engagement and succession planning, ensuring they deliver meaningful business impact.
• Drive initiatives that enhance the overall employee experience, strengthening engagement, wellbeing and retention across the UK business.
• Lead complex employee relations matters, ensuring a fair, consistent and commercially sound approach aligned to People policies.
• Take ownership of People policies, ensuring they are regularly reviewed, updated and effectively implemented.
• Champion diversity, equity and inclusion, fostering a culture where everyone feels a genuine sense of belonging.
• Partner closely with the Head of Talent Acquisition and L&D to develop clear career pathways and impactful learning programmes.
• Work collaboratively with the Head of Operations on reward, payroll and HR administration, ensuring operational excellence and alignment.
• Ensure strong collaboration across Business Partnering, Talent Acquisition, L&D and People Operations to deliver a cohesive and commercially focused People agenda.
• Establish clear KPIs to measure the impact of People initiatives and use data-driven insights to inform leadership decision-making.
• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing team of three People Business Partners, setting clear expectations and maintaining strong standards of delivery.
• Continue to evolve the Business Partnering model, strengthening its position as a strategic, consultative partner to the business.
• Act as an ambassador for Hearst UK and its values.
• Undertake any additional duties aligned to your skills and experience as reasonably required.

What We Are Looking For…

• A seasoned Senior Business Partner with proven strategic and commercial business partnering experience.
• A strong track record of leading change and managing complex employee relations matters with confidence and sound judgement.
• A self-starter who is comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels, and willing to roll up your sleeves when needed.
• Solutions-focused, pragmatic and commercially minded in your approach.
• An inspiring People leader who can engage and motivate a team, while modelling best-in-class strategic business partnering.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law and best practice, with the ability to apply this commercially and fairly.
• Excellent communication, presentation and influencing skills, with credibility at Executive and Senior Leadership level.
• Highly collaborative, with experience working effectively in matrixed environments.
• Proven experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Comfortable operating at pace, able to manage complexity and volume without losing focus or quality.
• Strong attention to detail where it matters, balanced with the ability to think strategically and drive long-term change.
• Energised by working as part of a team, with a genuine sense of ownership and accountability.
• Low ego, high integrity and driven to deliver results - while being kind, grounded and easy to work with.

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

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.