HR Business Partner| Xbox Games Studio| Rare

OVERVIEW Rare is a one-of-a-kind game studio where we create the kind of games the world doesn’t have, games that are uniquely Rare! Working here offers opportunities unlike anywhere else. You’ll be providing players with unforgettable shared experiences in games loved by millions worldwide. Our pirate adventure Sea of Thieves, launched in 2018, continues to thrive – and alongside that we’re busy creating our next magical world, Everwild, announced in 2019 to a global audience.
We strive to make Rare an amazing place to work, embracing a culture of respect and building a supportive environment for our developers. Our custom-built Twycross studio is situated in the beautiful English countryside, surrounded by woodland and wildlife, with plenty of room for us to grow. Studio benefits are catered to making life easier for staff, including flexible working, a bonus scheme, an industry-leading pension package, private healthcare, mental health initiatives and free events for employees and their families.
By joining Rare, you’ll be joining one of the finest studios in the industry with support from the wider Xbox Game Studios network. We’re always on the lookout for exceptional people who can bring their expertise and unique thinking to help make our team even stronger!
ROLE PURPOSE Are you passionate about delivering an outstanding Human Resources function?
We are seeking an experienced Human Resources Business Partner/HR Manager to join the team at Rare. Rare sits in the heart of the Midlands at its state-of-the-art facility near Twycross; think acres of green landscaped gardens and fields, an on-site gym, walking trails and you get the picture. It’s here that we create and manage our fast-moving game production of Sea of Thieves and Everwild.
Reporting to the Studio Head, you will develop, adapt, and deliver a bespoke Human Resources strategy to support the business as it continues to grow, evolve and flourish.
While this role does involve oversight of transactional HR, we are seeking someone who can really apply themselves to problem-solving and strategic thinking, whilst using commercial acumen to present a balanced view to the Senior Leadership team.
No two days are the same and you need to be comfortable managing pay reviews, succession planning and rewards one day, and mental health initiatives and complex employee relations challenges the next.
Responsibilities KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Recruitment and Selection You will be involved in recruitment panels for Senior Leadership roles, identifying the next folks to join the family. You’ll also partner with the Global Talent Acquisition team, helping them develop Rare as the employer brand of choice at both the local and international level.
Additionally, you will help the studio maximise its headcount opportunities by attracting, developing and maintaining key talent.
Employee Relations and Engagement As an HRBP, it is crucial that you earn trust from day one and have the right level of gravitas. We care for and nurture all our employees, so that they in turn can care about our players and put them at the heart of all we do. On-site, you will always aim to form strong relationships with everyone: this is how you’ll ‘monitor the pulse’ of employee engagement, maintain satisfaction and drive continuous improvement. We have worked hard to create and maintain a great culture so you will be as passionate as us about continuing that.
Generalist Human Resources As an experienced Senior Generalist with a bias for action, you’ll lead and motivate your team. With your open communication and credible decision making, you’ll make sure that your area can rapidly deliver results. You’ll balance your commercial acumen with a fair and pragmatic outlook.
Strategic HR You’re able to effectively provide a framework linking people management and development practices to long-term business goals and outcomes. You will be able to identify challenges in the business and design and develop creative, world-class solutions.
Trusted Advisor Create trust and become an advisor to the SLT (Studio Leadership Team) and Studio Head by demonstrating sound commercial thinking and practical solutions.
Qualifications
REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• You will have Chartered Membership of the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) or be able to demonstrate similar experience.
• You have significant Human Resources experience at a management level, ideally within a high-volume, fast-paced and customer-focused environment.
• You have solid problem-solving and analytical capabilities; you are able to analyse Human Resources metrics, find root causes and then develop short, medium and long-term plans accordingly.
• You seek to develop effective working relationships with colleagues at all levels.
• You demonstrate a proven, hands-on attitude, while remaining flexible and adaptable.
• You have a demonstrable ability to motivate and positively influence others.
• You are able to think outside the box and be creative with solutions.
• You possess strong change-management aptitude, as well as negotiation and influencing skills.
• You are comfortable operating in situations that can at times be ambiguous, seeking clarity and managing through uncertainty.
• You are intellectually curious and able to bring valuable insight to the team and business in dynamic situations.
• You have solid, demonstrable experience in HR role(s) with considerable and proven focus in strategic elements.

Preferred Qualifications

• CIPD qualified as a Chartered Member.
• Strong understanding of MS (Microsoft Corporation) Office (Outlook, Excel) and being comfortable around technology

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.
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