Retail People Relations Senior Advisor

Entity:

People, Culture & Communications

Job Family Group:

HR Group

Job Description:

The Senior Retail People Relations Advisor plays a key role in supporting bp’s retail business in Spain by combining People Relations expertise with a strong Partnering background and understanding of the retail operational and commercial environment.

From a People Relations perspective (c.70% of the role), the Senior Advisor works closely with leaders to manage people risk, resolve complex employee relations issues, and enable confident, fair decision-making. They provide hands-on support across a wide range of topics, from day-to-day queries through to complex, high-risk cases and organisational change. At the same time, the role goes beyond case management — using data, insight, and experience to identify patterns, highlight risks, and drive continuous improvement. Operating within the Spanish labour relations landscape, the role also supports engagement with employee representatives and ensures that all activity is compliant with local legislation and aligned with bp standards.

In terms of partnering (c. 30% of the role), the Senior Advisor builds strong, trusted relationships with retail leaders and P&C teams & CoE’s, providing pragmatic, business-focused advice that balances commercial outcomes with fairness and compliance. They work closely with stakeholders to understand the context behind issues, shape the right approach, and lead on the design — as well as support the delivery — of the annual people plan and key people initiatives (such as the Pulse Survey). Through this partnership, the role helps leaders navigate risk, make sound commercial people decisions, and translate business strategy and vision into practical people actions and priorities.

This role is vital in ensuring people matters are handled well, risk is proactively managed, and leaders feel confident and supported to do the right thing — driving strong business performance while maintaining fairness, consistency, compliance and care.

Role accountabilities:

1. Expert advice on Spanish employment law and ER practice

• Be the point of contact for all People Relations queries from line managers and employees across Spain retail

• Provide clear, practical advice to managers on Spanish labour law, company policies, and ER processes

• Manage a full range of cases including disciplinary, grievance, performance, absence, and whistleblowing / OpenTalk concerns

• Interpret and apply legislation including Estatuto de los Trabajadores, collective agreements (convenios), and local requirements

• Maintain accurate case records and ensure compliance with SLA expectations and case management standards

• Engaging with external lawyers as well as the People Relations CoE, as needed, particularly for complex matters

2. Trade unions and employee representation

• Support engagement with unions and works councils (Comités de Empresa / Delegados de Personal)

• Prepare documentation and support consultations (e.g. disciplinaries, collective processes, restructures)

• Partner with teams such as legal and People Relations CoE to manage risks relating to industrial relations

3. Investigations and risk management

• Support workplace investigations, including potential misconduct, grievances, and speaking up cases

• Ensure investigations are thorough, unbiased, and well documented

• Identify and escalate risks early, providing clear mitigation options to stakeholders

4. Supporting business change and consultation

• Provide ER support for organisational changes including restructures, store changes, and acquisitions/divestments

• Support any collective consultation processes in line with Spanish legal requirements

• Work closely with P&C partners, People Relations CoE, legal and business leaders to ensure a smooth, compliant approach to change

5. Coaching and capability building

• Coach and guide line managers on handling people issues confidently, compliantly and fairly

• Working with Learning & Development to build manager capability in areas such as performance management, absence handling, and difficult conversations

• Share best practice and common themes to improve overall ER capability in the market

6. Policy implementation and continuous improvement

• Support the review, updating, rollout and consistent application of People Relations policies across Spain retail

• Identify gaps, risks, and opportunities based on current / future employment law, case trends and feedback from the business

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of processes, tools, and ways of working

7. Partnering with retail business

• Partner with Retail Operations to the build and deliver the people plan

• Work closely with P&C teams – such as Learning & Development – and Operations teams (such as Operations Director / Field Managers).

• Manage and contribute insight and expertise during key business cycles, initiative and projects (e.g. succession planning, restructure, performance, engagement)

8. Data, insights and reporting

• Use data to identify trends (e.g. engagement data, absence, disciplinaries, grievances) and highlight risks or hotspots

• Provide insights to P&C and business leaders to inform decision-making

• Support actions that improve engagement, reduce risk, and enhance employee experience

9. Promoting a fair and safe working environment

• Ensure all interactions are handled with care, respect, and professionalism

• Promote psychological safety and a speak-up culture

• Ensure employees are treated fairly and consistently, with consideration of individual circumstances

Experience Requirements:

• Demonstrated experience handling complex People Relations cases, including investigations, disciplinary and grievance processes, and performance management

• Strong knowledge of Spanish labour law and relevant compliance frameworks, with the ability to apply these in a practical, business-focused way

• Experience working with trade unions and employee representatives, including engagement with works councils and supporting formal consultation processes

• Proven track record to partner & build trusted relationships with business leaders by providing pragmatic, commercially sound guidance.

• Experience developing and delivering people plans, translating business priorities into practical people actions and outcomes

Why Join our team?

At bp, we provide an excellent working environment and employee benefits such as an open and inclusive culture, a great work-life balance, tremendous learning and development opportunities to craft your career path, life and health insurance, medical care package and many others.

We support our people to learn and grow in a diverse and exciting environment. We believe that our team is strengthened by diversity. We are committed to crafting an inclusive environment in which everyone is respected and treated fairly.

There are many aspects of our employees’ lives that are significant, so we offer benefits to enable your work to fit with your life. These benefits can include flexible working options, collaboration spaces in a modern office environment, and others benefits.

Reinvent your career as you help our business meet the challenges of the future.

Travel Requirement

Negligible travel should be expected with this role

Relocation Assistance:

This role is not eligible for relocation

Remote Type:

This position is a hybrid of office/remote working

Skills:

Agility core practices, Agility core practices, Analytical Thinking, Coaching, Communication, Creativity and Innovation, Culture and behaviour change, Curiosity, Customer centric thinking, Data Analysis, Data cleansing and transformation, Decision Making, Digital Fluency, Employee and labour relations (Inactive), Employee Engagement, Employee Experience, Facilitation, Global Perspective, Influencing, Job Design, Leadership Assessment, Leading transformation, Managing change, Managing workforce concerns, Microsoft Excel {+ 12 more}

Legal Disclaimer:

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics like race, religion, color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status or disability status. Individuals with an accessibility need may request an adjustment/accommodation related to bp’s recruiting process (e.g., accessing the job application, completing required assessments, participating in telephone screenings or interviews, etc.). If you would like to request an adjustment/accommodation related to the recruitment process, please contact us.

If you are selected for a position and depending upon your role, your employment may be contingent upon adherence to local policy. This may include pre-placement drug screening, medical review of physical fitness for the role, and background checks.