Description:
We have an exciting 12-month fixed-term opportunity to join Wiley’s People team as a Senior Manager, Regional People Partner, supporting our UK business with a broader EMEA remit.Reporting to the EMEA People Delivery Lead, you will serve as a trusted partner to regional business leaders - translating people strategies into practical, high-impact solutions. This is a senior individual contributor role that blends strategic advisory with hands-on delivery across the full HR lifecycle.
You’ll manage employee relations across the region, lead change management initiatives, and drive the implementation of people programmes that enhance performance, culture, and employee experience.
What You’ll Be Doing
Business Partnership
- Partner with local business leaders to understand their priorities and deliver effective HR solutions.
- Translate regional people strategies into practical applications for the local market.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to managers on all people-related matters.
- Identify workforce trends and share insights with regional leadership.
- Ensure close alignment and proactive communication with the broader HRBP community.
Employee Relations
- Manage a broad range of employee relations matters primarily across the UK (also small populations in Spain, Netherlands, and South Africa).
- Coach and guide managers through performance review conversations and processes.
- Facilitate resolution of workplace conflicts and employee concerns.
- Conduct fact-finding processes and investigations when required.
- Ensure compliance with local employment laws, regulations, and company policies.
Organisational Effectiveness
- Implement organisational changes and structure adjustments in partnership with business leaders.
- Facilitate talent review processes across the region.
- Partner with the Compensation Partner to support compensation planning and provide strategic insights.
- Guide effective performance management practices and recommend approaches to enhance team effectiveness.
People Programme Implementation
- Drive the execution of HR initiatives and programmes within the region.
- Ensure consistent application of HR practices across the business.
- Collaborate with Centres of Excellence to implement programmes locally.
- Provide feedback on programme effectiveness and promote adoption of self-service HR delivery models.
Change Management
- Support the implementation of organisational changes including restructures, reorganisations, redundancies, and TUPE.
- Coach managers through transitions and help navigate employee concerns.
- Deliver clear communications about changes, taking local context into account.
- Identify potential resistance and work with regional leadership on mitigation strategies.
Culture & Employee Experience
- Reinforce company culture and values across the region.
- Implement employee engagement initiatives and act on survey results.
- Support inclusion and community efforts.
- Identify opportunities to enhance the employee experience and model positive workplace behaviours.
What We’re Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree required; preferably in HR, Business, or related field.
- 6+ years of HR experience, including 2-3 years in a Business Partner role.
- Strong knowledge of UK employment law; broader European regulatory experience a plus.
- Proven experience managing employee relations and supporting organisational change.
- Confident communicator with the ability to influence at senior levels.
- A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with the ability to manage competing priorities.
- Proficiency in Spanish or German is advantageous.