The Role
We are looking for an experienced HR Business Partner for our Head Office HR team as we continue to grow.
You’ll work with our Product departments (Fashion & Home at Head Office), this includes the creative teams of Buying, Merchandising, Design, and Garment/Fabric Technology. This is your chance to truly make an impact and be part of an exciting journey, helping shape the growth and success of our vibrant, innovative teams.
This isn't a role for someone who wants to stay on the sidelines. It’s for a high-energy professional who loves to get stuck in and make things happen. You will be a vital part of the team, acting as a "go-to" partner who balances big-picture goals with the day-to-day reality of our people, helping our managers lead with more confidence and consistency.
You’ll be deeply committed to the Product area, helping to shape how we work while keeping our systems and policies simple, compliant, and fit for a fast-moving company, working with creative individuals. Whether you’re offering a second opinion on a tricky situation or supporting in rolling out new initiatives, you’ll need to balance your professional expertise with a practical, hands-on approach.
This is a full time role based onsite at the NEXT Head Office in Enderby, Leicestershire. You will also need to be able to travel to our offices in Market Harborough and London on a regular basis. Spending time with our teams and experiencing the heartbeat of our creative work. Flexibility and travel are key as you partner with colleagues across locations.
What You’ll Take On
- Trusted Advisory: Acting as a lead partner to senior managers, providing the professional weight and guidance needed to drive performance and team engagement.
- Organisational Evolution: Partnering with leaders to ensure their team structures are agile, effective, and built to support our growing Product footprint.
- Culture & Engagement: Designing and leading initiatives that boost morale and strengthen our unique culture, using data and creative thinking to inspire real change.
- Talent & Retention: Taking ownership of development plans for key roles, ensuring we not only grow our creative talent but build the long-term loyalty that keeps them with us.
- AI-Enabled HR: Leading the adoption of AI and HR tech to streamline workflows, using technology to enhance, not replace, the human connection at the heart of our work.
- Resilience & Healthy High Performance Culture: We move fast and work hard, and we need our people to be at the top of their game. You’ll be promoting a proactive culture of wellbeing and you will help our Managers foster a culture of trust and open communication where people feel confident to have a point of view, bring ideas, and take ownership. By balancing our "Let’s Take It On" work ethic with the right practical support, you’ll help our teams stay "match-fit" and energised, ensuring they have the resilience to thrive in our demanding, fast-paced environment.
- Empowering Leadership: Designing and delivering workshops that give our managers the tools to lead with confidence. Covering everything from Performance Management to "difficult" conversations.
- Insight-Led Decisions: Leveraging tools like Oracle and Thrive to spot trends and find new ways to improve the overall employee journey.
- Complex Case Management: Supporting managers through intricate employee relations matters, providing calm, expert advice and practical solutions that protect the business and our people.
What You’ll Bring
We need someone who shows real initiative, the kind of person who doesn't wait for a nudge but thinks for themselves and takes on new challenges with a positive, "can-do" attitude.
HR Expertise
You are a seasoned HR professional, ideally CIPD Level 7 qualified or with a solid background working in busy Head Offices or creative environments.
Legal Knowledge
You have a strong grasp of UK employment law and the confidence to handle sensitive or complex cases fairly and sensibly.
Relationship Building
You are a natural at forming trusted, influential bonds with people at every level and are genuinely easy to get on with.
Coaching and Development
You enjoy helping others grow, offering constructive feedback and practical support to help our leaders become the best they can be.
Tech and Data Savvy
You are comfortable using HR technology and AI-driven tools to keep things running smoothly, using data to find ways to improve the employee experience.
Commercial and Adaptable
You thrive in fast-paced settings and understand the business side of things, not just the HR side. You are always happy to "get your hands dirty" to get the job done.
Problem Solver
You don’t just fix the symptoms; you look for the root cause and come up with creative, innovative solutions.
Proactive and Committed
You show real initiative and are happy to take the lead, go the extra mile, and embrace challenges with a positive, "can-do" attitude.
Great Communicator
You are a confident presenter who can facilitate meetings and deliver ideas in an engaging, down-to-earth way.
A Genuine Interest in Fashion
You don’t need to be a trend expert, but you have a natural affinity for the style world. This curiosity helps you connect authentically with our creative direction and "get" what makes us tick.
Collaboration at Heart
You are a dedicated team player who thrives in a close-knit HR team and the wider business.
#LI-Onsite
You know Next, but did you know we’re a FTSE-100 retail company employing over 44,000 people across the Next group. We’re the UK’s 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we’re the market leader. At the last count we have over 450 stores, plus the Next Online and it’s now possible to buy on-line from over 80 countries around the world! So we’ve gone global!
