Senior Human Resources Business Partner

About us.

PA Media Group is the UK’s national news agency, trusted for delivering fast, accurate and compelling content to media, brands and businesses for over 150 years. From world-class journalism to data-driven solutions, our teams support clients in navigating the rapidly evolving media landscape.

Inclusion.

We’re committed to providing an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, respected and supported. As well as your skills and experience, we’re interested in who you are and what you can bring to the team.

If you need any adjustments during your application, just let us know. We’re here to help every step of the way.

About the Role.

We’re looking for a commercially minded and proactive Senior HR Business Partner to join our dynamic people team on a 12-month fixed-term basis to cover maternity leave.

Reporting to the Chief People Officer, you’ll play a vital role in supporting senior leaders across multiple business units, primarily within our Sports & Betting division, as well as teams across Enabling Functions and Marketing Services, to help them deliver their strategic goals.

Based in either Howden or Manchester, with flexibility for ad-hoc home working, you’ll be a trusted advisor who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

You’ll drive the delivery of our Group People Plan, aligning people initiatives with business objectives and fostering a high-performing, inclusive culture.

You’ll partner with senior stakeholders to provide expert guidance across all areas of the employee lifecycle. From leading organisational change and talent development to shaping performance management and wellbeing strategies, you’ll help create an environment where people can do their best work.

You’ll bring insight and impact through data-driven decision-making, applying people analytics to inform strategy and drive continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities.

• Partner with leaders to deliver people strategies that meet organisational and departmental goals
• Champion learning, performance, career development, and smarter ways of working
• Provide expert employee relations support, including performance, absence, grievance, disciplinary, TUPE and redundancy processes
• Identify and embed opportunities to strengthen our equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) strategy
• Use people data and analytics to shape decisions, track progress and measure impact
• Collaborate closely with the wider People & Culture team to ensure consistent and joined-up delivery of initiatives
• Lead or contribute to the development and review of policies, ensuring best practice and compliance
• Foster a culture of engagement, trust and continuous feedback

About You

You’ll be confident operating in a complex, fast-paced organisation and enjoy building strong, trusted relationships at all levels. You are a strategic thinker and capable hands-on partner, with a passion for continuous improvement and employee experience.

You will bring:

• Experience in a similar HR Business Partnering role within a large, matrixed environment
• CIPD Level 5 qualification or equivalent experience
• Strong knowledge of employment law and employee relations
• Excellent communication, coaching and influencing skills
• A proactive approach and the confidence to challenge and support senior stakeholders
• Comfort working with data to drive decision-making and shape people strategies
• Passion for creating inclusive, high-performing cultures

What We Offer.

In return for your energy and expertise, you’ll join a collaborative, supportive team and gain exposure to a wide range of business areas.

Our benefits include:

• 5 weeks holiday plus 8 public holidays
• Enhanced family leave pay
• Ad-hoc homeworking
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Company pension scheme
• Life assurance (4x salary)
• Annual employee bonus (paid as a completion bonus for a fixed term contract)
• Wellbeing Day (1 annually)
• Volunteering Day (1 annually)