HR Business Partner Principal

Job title: Senior HR Business Partner

Department: HR

Location: Fareham, UK – moving to our new facility in Nursling, Southampton mid-September 2026 

GLS: P05

Working hours: 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday (3 days in the office, 2 days WFH)

A brighter future awaits you

Job Summary

This role will act as a trusted strategic advisor to the Cluster GM, Functional Heads and the leadership and management teams by aligning people strategy with business objectives to drive growth, performance and profitability. They will provide guidance, advice and challenge to drive the right culture for CooperVision’s ongoing growth. The role will also provide critical support to the HR Directors and more broadly on business projects across the EMEA region. 

Essential Functions & Accountabilities:

In partnership with the Cluster GM, functional heads, leadership teams and key business stakeholders, the Senior HRBP will: 

• Contribute to the delivery of the EMEA Commercial Cluster and Functional VMOST and LRP ambitions by ensuring that the relevant HR strategies are directly aligned to the overall business strategy 
• Provide pragmatic, expert advice and support to business leaders and managers on a full range of employment related matters, consulting or working in conjunction with other HR colleagues and external consultants/advisors as necessary.
• Introduce and where appropriate adapt corporate HR policies and initiatives based upon best practice to ensure local effectiveness and legal compliance. 
• Use appropriate resourcing strategies and tools to ensure the effective attraction of high quality candidates and participate in the selection process to ensure any gaps are filled effectively and quickly.
• Drive employee engagement by assessing performance against the requirements of the business and facilitating and advising on action planning solutions to improve engagement levels.
• Apply appropriate internal and external benchmarking processes and build local input into HR and reward/ benefit and merit processes.
• Leverage data and insights to inform and influence decision making on people priorities.
• Provide expert guidance on organizational design in line with business blueprints and frameworks to support.
• Lead the succession planning process (EDR – Employee Development Review) and recommend appropriate development and coaching solutions to ensure future ready internal candidates for key business roles.
• Work with and coach leaders to ensure effective resolution of employee relations issues and make recommendations to minimise the re-occurrence of such issues.
• In conjunction with appropriate suppliers (internal or external) plus Global Talent Management & L&D ensure that appropriate employees are trained, coached and developed in line with the needs of the business.
• Act as a confidential counselor or coach to members of the business leadership teams.
• Drive culture initiatives, business values and behaviours and the EVP and be an advocate for building an inclusive workplace
• Promote employee wellbeing (Wellness) so that employees remain productive and effective
• Demonstrate the ability to successfully deliver business-critical HR projects in line with established methodologies, ensuring consistency, governance, and measurable outcomes aligned to organisational goals.

Experience

• Degree in Business Management, Human Resources, Social Relations, Law. 
• CIPD qualified is desirable.
• Significant experience of working in a generalist HR role preferably across multiple markets.
• Experience of a multi-cultural, multinational and matrix environment. 
• Demonstratabe commercial awareness and acumen
• Ability to align people priorities with business objectives
• Demonstrable experience of managing a high workload with competing priorities, gained within a fast paced and challenging commercial environment
• Data driven decision making with a proven track record in the use of HR systems, reporting, data analysis and insights 
• Strong stakeholder management and ability to influence and challenge at all levels
• Project and change management experience including a track record of successful delivery of end-to-end HR change projects
• Organisational effectiveness experience 
• Strong knowledge of employment/ labour laws

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential, along with the ability to analyse complex issues and data and recommend and implement practical solutions.
• An international and commercial mindset – culturally aware, empathetic, consultative, flexible and pragmatic
• Strong data/numerical skills
• Strong project management skills
• Resilience, adaptability and the ability to challenge where needed to achieve the right business outcomes
• A team player who works in partnership with other HR team members
• Strong stakeholder management and partnering capabilities
• Demonstrable experience in the following areas:
  • Organisation design and effectiveness
  • Talent Management
  • Talent acquisition
  • Learning & Development
  • Engagement and retention
  • Performance Management
  • Employee Relations, reward and HR systems
  • Inclusion
  • Data and insights
  • Change Management and project methodologies

What we offer:

You’ll receive competitive compensation and a fantastic benefits package including, bonus, health cash plan, 25 days holiday, pension scheme, life assurance, access to our Wellness Platform to support you in mental health and wellbeing, a discounted contact lens scheme and much more!

We are committed to our employees’ personal and professional development and offer extensive training to support your career growth and help every individual to reach their full potential. To help us achieve our goals, we’ll give you everything you need to help you achieve yours. 

We also provide access to LinkedIn Learning to help you develop in you career and grow with CooperVision.

What you can expect:

As a CooperVision employee, you’ll be welcomed into a diverse and progressive global business. We appreciate how important fostering a diverse and inclusive culture is and how different perspectives add value and contribute to our success. With our CooperPride, African Descent, Woman’s Impact Network and Mind Body and Wellbeing Employee Resource Groups, we offer opportunities for employees to learn and grow within an inclusive and safe space.

If you like what you see, take the first step towards your Brighter Future and apply today! All suitably qualified applicants will receive equal consideration and opportunities from CooperVision.

Please view our careers page at https://hcjy.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1to view all other opportunities.

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