Strategic People and Talent Business Partner

TalkTalk; Salford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A major telecommunications company in Salford is seeking a Strategic People and Talent Business Partner to drive their cultural transformation. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in strategic people solutions, organizational effectiveness, and talent management. Responsibilities include advising executives and leading initiatives to embed a high-performance culture. The company offers flexible hybrid working, competitive benefits, and a dynamic work environment.

Benefits

Flexible hybrid working

Generous holiday package

Private healthcare

Life event gifts

Salary sacrifice scheme

Paid volunteering days

Qualifications

• Significant experience in Strategic Partnering roles at executive levels.
• Expertise in managing complex employee relations issues.
• Experience leading organisational transformation initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Advise Executive Committee on strategic people solutions.
• Lead transformation initiatives to embed cultural changes.
• Execute talent management strategies to attract and retain talent.

Skills

Strategic Partnering

Leadership Development

Transformation Leadership

Talent Management

Culture Building

People Data Analysis

Education

MCIPD/FCIPD qualified HR professional

Job description

Strategic People and Talent Business Partner

TalkTalk Salford, England, United Kingdom

Company Overview

TalkTalk’s vision is to be the most recommended Wi‑Fi provider in the UK by 2028 with a growing, profitable base. Success requires that we simplify what we do, who we do it with, and reduce the cost of how we do it.

TalkTalk is the uncomplicated way to get excellent in‑home Wi‑Fi coverage; we stand out by offering intelligent but simple products that work perfectly first‑time, without fuss or incomprehensible jargon. Our aim is to deliver simplified and customer‑delighting Wi‑Fi products and a more digital customer & employee experience, enabled by a technology platform that leverages data to drive innovation, decision‑making and automation.

Role Summary

TalkTalk is embarking on a large‑scale cultural transformation, moving from a Telco to a Techco. We need an experienced Strategic People and Talent Business Partner to shape our future. This senior, hands‑on role requires proven experience in strategic people partnering to translate our people and culture strategy into actionable, business‑aligned initiatives, delivering transformational outcomes.

As part of the People and Culture Team, you will advise Executive Committee members, proactively identify and deliver strategic people solutions, drive organisational effectiveness, and help build a high‑performance accountable culture.

Required Skills & Experience

Strategic Partner

• Trusted senior Strategic People and Talent Partner to Executives and their teams, translating strategic business priorities into simple, actionable People initiatives that deliver organisational effectiveness.
• Developing strong, credible relationships at all levels, championing inclusion and creating an engaged performance culture.
• Elevating leadership impact by shaping & delivering key development initiatives that build capability, drive accountability, and support a high‑performance, agile, can‑do culture.
• Embedding an organisational rhythm where people initiatives are consistently prioritised.
• Managing legal and reputational risk in a dynamic environment, identifying, mitigating and escalating people, financial and operational risks, and ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory requirements and company policies.

Transformation Leader

• Leading transformation initiatives, guiding leaders through key shifts to ensure smooth transitions, mitigate disruption and embed the right cultural behaviours.
• Using organisational design tools & methodology to deliver appropriate structures & roles that optimise organisational effectiveness.

Talent Partner

• Executing talent management strategies that identify and grow the right skills, behaviours and expertise, deepen the succession bench, promote D,E,B&I, and ensure TalkTalk attracts, retains, and grows key talent.
• Informing and embedding appropriate talent, career development & succession frameworks that empower our people to achieve their goals.
• Developing & implementing robust workforce plans, ensuring the right talent capacity is in place at the right time to achieve our goals.

Culture Specialist

• Embedding performance metrics and frameworks that assess and enhance individual and organisational performance and promote a continuous‑improvement culture.
• Building a positive climate where concerns are addressed and conflicts are resolved in a timely and appropriate manner, in line with our policies, procedures, shared behaviours and values.
• Driving engagement strategies that enable a positive colleague experience.

Data‑driven & CI

• Providing People Team thought leadership, delivering continuous operational excellence, toolset, mindset, and skillset to ensure consistent and timely high‑quality support.
• Monitoring and analysing business performance, providing insights, regular reporting and recommendations to leaders to improve efficiency and profitability.
• Utilising people data, insights and external market trends to inform decision‑making, recommending and implementing opportunities and measuring organisational effectiveness.
• Staying updated on industry trends and best practices, advising leaders and proactively updating services to reflect relevant changes in HR legislation and policies.

Success Criteria

• MCIPD/FCIPD qualified HR professional with significant experience in Strategic Partnering/OE/Talent roles to Executive levels within multiple matrix, fast paced and agile organisations.
• Strong generalist abilities combined with specialist experience across Talent, OD or People Services leadership.
• Passionate about ongoing CPD with additional certifications such as psychometric assessment, coaching, OD or appropriate change/agile methodologies.
• Experience leading organisational & cultural transformation in a programmatic way, guiding people through complex change & op‑model redesign.
• Demonstrated ability to understand complex business challenges, translating them to actionable people strategies, and driving impactful solutions for commercial success.
• Coaching leaders in creating, transitioning and embedding successful operating models, supporting change and capability development with confidence.
• Adept at designing and leading enterprise‑wide talent strategies, including succession planning, performance management, talent reviews, skills mapping, & workforce planning.
• Expertise in managing complex employee relations issues with strategic guidance and fostering a positive employee relations environment.
• Simultaneously managing multiple projects successfully delivering impactful results.
• Excellent communication & storytelling skills (written & verbal), with a data‑assisted mindset that drives thinking and supports decision‑making.
• Performance oriented, delivering against organisational goals & tracking business impact.
• Championing the TalkTalk culture with passion to drive transformational change.

Behaviours and Attributes

• Think systemically and translate complex challenges into practical solutions.
• Adapt and respond positively to organisational change and ambiguity, demonstrating a growth mindset.
• Bias for action, laser‑focused on timely delivery of milestones and positive outcomes.
• High self‑awareness, empathy and ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics with composure and resilience.
• Proactive, problem‑solving approach with excellent attention to detail and the ability to drive change effectively.
• Self‑sufficient, managing multiple priorities at pace comfortably and calmly.
• Collaborative, curious mindset with a solutions‑focus continuous‑improvement outlook.
• Willingness to question the status quo and offer alternative perspectives with tact and integrity, supported by data and insight.
• Passion for continuous learning, innovation, and driving improvement in self and others.

Be Yourself. Make an Impact. Join Us.

As a recognised Top 50 Inclusive Employer in the UK, we believe that diversity fuels innovation and success. We’re committed to building a workplace that reflects the communities and customers we serve. Inclusion is part of our DNA – we’re all 100% human, and we’ve created a culture where you can truly be yourself.

We’re not your traditional 9‑5. We’re a dynamic, flexible workplace, and we’re excited to hear how you like to work. Whether you thrive in collaboration, focus better at home, or prefer a bit of both – let’s make it work.

What We Offer

• Flexible hybrid working – with a minimum of 50% office presence to support teamwork and connection.
• Collaborative office spaces designed for creative thinking and innovation.
• Free on‑site parking at our offices.
• Generous holiday package – 25 days annual leave, 3 wellbeing days, and your birthday off (plus the option to buy up to 10 more days!).
• Private healthcare for all employees.
• Competitive pension scheme and performance‑related bonus opportunities.
• Free broadband for all employees.
• Life event gifts – celebrating milestones like marriages and births.
• Inclusive employee networks – open to all, supporting peer connection and thought‑provoking conversations.
• Salary sacrifice scheme – save on dental, gym and more.
• Big retail and leisure discounts.
• 3 paid volunteering days a year – because making a difference matters to us too.

Seniority Level: Mid‑Senior level
Employment Type: Full‑time
Job Function: Business Development and Sales