HR Business Partner - Retail | The Mare and Foal Sanctuary

HR Business Partner – Retail

6-month fixed-term opportunity | £30,279 (pro rata) | Full-time | Based in the Reuse and Recycle Hub in Brunel with travel across sites.

Are you a people-focused HR professional who thrives on making a real difference? Do you want to help shape the future of ethical retailing while supporting a passionate team? If so, we’d love to hear from you.

Be Part of Something That Matters

At The Mare and Foal Sanctuary, we’re not just about horses and ponies — we’re about people too. We are the largest equine welfare charity in the South West, rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming horses and ponies who have experienced neglect and trauma. We also deliver Equine Assisted Services to support people facing their own challenges. Our ambition is growing, and our impact is real.

About the Role

We’re looking for an experienced and proactive HR Business Partner to support our vibrant and evolving Retail operation. Based at our Reuse and Recycle Hub in Brunel, and working closely with our shops and warehouse teams, you’ll be instrumental in delivering cultural and operational change during an exciting period of development.

You’ll work in partnership with the Head of People and Culture and the Area Retail Manager to embed excellent HR practice, champion our values, and create a positive, supportive working environment across a multi-site operation.

This is a full-time, fixed-term role for 6 months with plenty of scope to make an impact. Some travel across our sites will be required.

What You’ll Be Doing

Acting as a trusted partner to outlet managers, helping drive change and support team wellbeing and development.
Providing hands-on HR guidance around recruitment, onboarding and volunteer engagement.
Supporting and coaching managers to lead with confidence, compassion and clarity.
Designing and delivering practical training on performance, absence, and people management.
Helping build a simple, fair and effective approach to performance and absence management.
Supporting our Volunteer Coordinator by promoting positive volunteer experiences
Supporting wellbeing conversations and occupational health processes.
Collaborating with the wider People and Culture team to support broader organisational goals.

What You’ll Bring:

A strong track record in HR, ideally with experience across multiple sites or within retail.
Confidence in partnering with managers to find people-focused, practical solutions.
Excellent knowledge of recruitment, performance and absence processes.
The ability to coach, support and develop others — and to design and deliver great training.
Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
A self-motivated, organised and flexible approach.
A full clean driving license

Bonus points for:

CIPD Level 5 (or working towards it)
Experience in the charity sector or supporting volunteers
An interest in sustainable fashion or ethical retailing

Living Our Values

At The Mare and Foal Sanctuary, Kindness, Care and Knowledge are at the heart of everything we do. These values shape how we treat our people and how we work together. We’re looking for someone who embodies these values in their approach to HR and genuinely wants to help others thrive.

Why Join Us?

This is more than just a job — it’s a chance to be part of something meaningful. You’ll be working alongside passionate people, supporting a cause that truly matters, and helping to shape how we grow and improve our retail operation. If you’re ready to use your HR skills to make a positive impact — for people, for animals, and for purpose-led retail — we’d love to hear from you.

Please apply by Sunday 6th July

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to a DBS check.

Vacancies Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form

Please download the documents below and attach them when submitting your application form.

Application form Equal opportunities monitoring form

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Explore Further

Visit Our Sanctuary

Connect with our rescued horses and ponies, hear their back stories and meet the knowledgeable grooms who care for them.