HR & Employee Relations Specialist Full Time NEW

Industry: Designer toys and collectible pieces

Location: Canary Wharf, London

Job type: Full time Permanent

About POP MART

POP MART (09992.HK) is a leading global company in the trend culture and entertainment industry. Centered around IP, POP MART has built a comprehensive platform for creative incubation and IP operation, empowering global creators while delivering exciting products, services and immersive entertainment experiences to consumers.

POP MART identifies and nurtures emerging artists and designers worldwide, creating popular character IPs through a well-established development and operation system. Our portfolio includes iconic characters such as MOLLY, SKULLPANDA, DIMOO, THE MONSTERS and Hirono. POP MART operates over 500 physical stores and more than 2,300 Robo Shops across more than thirty countries and regions, and through multiple cross border e commerce platforms reaches audiences in over ninety countries and regions, bringing joy to young consumers around the world.

POP MART has developed a comprehensive IP commercialisation ecosystem that spans multiple industries, deepening emotional bonds between fans and IPs while exploring broader opportunities for value creation. Our ventures include the world’s first immersive intellectual property themed park in the art toy industry, the expansion of its IPs into global markets through licensing and co-branding with leading global brands, and the curation of art toy expos and intellectual property themed exhibitions internationally. In Europe, POP MART has built a strong presence in key markets including the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain, and is expanding into new high potential markets. Our expansion brings POP MART closer to European fans and offers new ways for them to connect with our IPs and stories.

For more information, please visit www.popmart.com and our LinkedIn Career page.

What to Expect

POP MART is a fast-paced company with a young and multicultural team where you can expect to:

• Contribute to a fast-growing European business that combines retail, art, and creative storytelling
• Work with passionate teams across different countries, all connected by a shared love for designer toys and unique customer experiences
• Grow your skills through hands-on projects, collaborative learning, and opportunities to explore new ideas

Benefits

POP MART offers our employees:

• Monthly appreciation gifts featuring our latest POP MART designs
• A structured bonus scheme linked to both company and individual performance
• 25 days of annual leave, in addition to bank holidays
• 4x life insurance, together with group medical and travel insurance
• A confidential Employee Assistance Programme, alongside access to a discount platform for selected online retailers
• Training and development programmes, together with regular team events that encourage learning, collaboration, and celebration

The Role and Candidate

We are seeking an HR & Employee Relations Specialist to join our UK People team on a full time basis. This role will support both retail and office populations and will play an important part in strengthening POP MART’s employee relations approach across the UK.

The role is responsible for managing employee relations matters, supporting managers on people issues, and helping to build a more consistent and compliant ER framework. This includes leading investigations, reviewing and developing policies, improving process standards, and supporting capability building for managers across a fast paced retail and office environment.

The successful candidate will bring solid experience in UK employee relations, sound judgement, and a practical approach to handling sensitive people matters. This role would suit someone who is confident working in a commercially driven business, understands the realities of supporting frontline retail operations as well as office teams, and is able to balance casework with policy and process improvement.

Responsibilities

• Manage employee relations cases across the business, including disciplinary, grievance, absence, capability, conduct, and other workplace matters, ensuring a fair and consistent approach in line with company policy and UK employment law
• Lead or support investigations, hearings, and case documentation, and ensure matters are handled thoroughly, sensitively, and within appropriate timelines
• Provide guidance to managers on employee relations issues, people policies, and risk considerations, escalating more complex matters where appropriate
• Support people managers across both retail and office functions on day to day ER matters, helping to strengthen confidence and consistency in people management practice
• Review, draft, and update HR policies, procedures, templates, and guidance notes to ensure legal compliance and practical application across the business
• Build and maintain clear ER processes, case management standards, and escalation routes to improve consistency and decision making
• Deliver training and guidance for managers on core ER topics such as disciplinary process, grievance handling, performance management, absence management, and investigation practice
• Monitor ER trends and case themes, and provide regular insight to support risk identification, policy improvement, and better people management practice
• Work closely with HR colleagues and business leaders to support a positive workplace culture and strengthen manager capability
• Liaise with external legal advisers where required, ensuring advice is interpreted and applied appropriately within the business context
• Support wider HR projects and policy initiatives relating to compliance, employee experience, and people process improvement

Required Qualifications

• Proven experience in HR with strong employee relations exposure, ideally in an HR Advisor, ER Specialist, or similar role
• Solid understanding of UK employment law and practical application across disciplinary, grievance, absence, capability, and investigation matters
• Experience managing ER cases independently, with sound judgement and strong attention to detail
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to handle sensitive matters clearly and professionally
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple cases and priorities at the same time
• Confidence working with managers at different levels and providing practical, balanced advice
• High level of discretion and professionalism when dealing with confidential matters

Desirable but Not Essential

• CIPD qualification, ideally Level 5 or above
• Experience in a retail business or other operational, people intensive environment
• Experience supporting both office and frontline employee populations
• Experience working in an international or fast paced growth business

If you are excited to be part of POP MART’s journey and believe you have the skills and passion to contribute, click Apply Now and send us your CV.