Role: HR Policy Manager
Location: Dunstable (LU5 5XE), hybrid working 3 days in the office, 2 days working from home/another location
Function: People
Salary/Grade: £78,000 - £83,000 dependant on skills and experiences + car allowance worth £5,650 + up to 30% bonus + health + 10% matched pension + bens
Are you ready to shape the future of people policy in a complex, fast-moving organisation? This is a rare opportunity to step into a high-impact HR Policy Lead role, operating at the heart of business transformation and legislative change.
You’ll take ownership of HR policy across our Support Centre (Head Office) and Operations spanning the UK, Northern Ireland, Crown Dependencies and the Republic of Ireland. You’ll also work closely with the Senior Leadership Team, working closely with the Chief People Officer, influencing how policy is designed, interpreted, and brought to life for thousands of colleagues across a diverse, multi-site workforce.
You will lead on cutting-edge and evolving areas such as employee rights legislation, absence, management of performance and the impact of AI and emerging technologies in the workplace. You will also represent the organisation externally, collaborating with industry bodies, contributing to forums, and staying ahead of societal and legislative shifts.
We’re looking for someone who thrives in complexity: a confident facilitator who can navigate senior stakeholders, balance detail with big-picture thinking, and drive accountability across the business. You’ll bring strong expertise in policy development (recently applied within a large, multi-workforce organisation), alongside a sharp, delivery-focused mindset.
What makes this role truly exciting is the scope for impact. You’ll shape how policy evolves in response to a rapidly changing external landscape, influence leadership thinking, and play a visible role at both internal and external forums.
If you enjoy working at pace, tackling ambiguity, and seeing your work directly shape employee experience at scale, this is your opportunity to make a real difference.
Be at the forefront of change. Shape policy. Influence the future of work.
Skills Required
- Strong expertise in HR policy development
- Recent experience applying HR policy within a large, multi-workforce organization
- Ability to facilitate confidently and navigate senior stakeholders
- Ability to balance detailed policy work with strategic, big-picture thinking
- Delivery-focused approach and ability to drive accountability
- Knowledge of employee rights legislation, absence, and performance management policy
What We Do
Whitbread is a UK hospitality company that owns and operates Premier Inn, the country’s largest hotel brand, alongside restaurant brands including Beefeater, Brewers Fayre, Bar + Block, Cookhouse and Pub, and Table Table. Its business spans more than 1,200 hotels and restaurants across the UK, with a growing hotel presence in Germany and the Middle East, serving millions of guests through recognizable hospitality brands.
