Policy - HR Policy Manager
WhitbreadJobsCloseBy Editorial Insights
Whitbread seeks a Policy Manager to own HR policy across the Support Centre. This hybrid role in Dunstable reports to the Chief People Officer and partners with the Senior Leadership Team to shape policy design and implementation for colleagues. You’ll address employee rights legislation, absence, performance management and the impact of AI and tech, plus engagement with industry bodies. The ideal candidate thrives in complexity, is a delivery focused facilitator of senior stakeholders and has proven policy development experience in large, multi-workforce organisations. To apply, tailor your CV to show measurable policy outcomes, cross-border collaboration, compliance and impact on employee experience, with concrete examples of navigating ambiguity and delivering swiftly.
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.