People Business Partner

Darktrace is a global leader in AI-driven cybersecurity, helping organizations stay ahead of evolving threats every day.

Darktrace was built on a genuinely differentiated idea: that Adaptive AI could detect and respond to novel, real-time cyber threats. That approach matters more than ever in the era of AI. Today, our customers depend on us to stay ahead.

At Darktrace, we are energized by that responsibility. We work across teams and rally around a shared goal. We own outcomes end to end - step in, step up and see things through without waiting to be asked. We make decisions with urgency, say the hard thing, and hold each other to high standards with care and directness. We move first and learn fast anticipating where our customers are going next, continuously challenging ourselves.

We invest in the skills, learning and opportunities that help people deliver at the level their roles demand, and reward the aptitude and curiosity to grow beyond them.

Our Values: Own It | Win as One | Raise Our Bar | Move First. Learn Fast

Job Description:

Our global People team operates across the Americas, EMEA and APAC. We work closely with employees and managers to balance the needs of our people with the needs of the business, building strong relationships and helping teams perform at their best.

We are looking for a People Business Partner to support our Sales organisation. This is a hands-on partnering role suited to someone with a strong foundation in HR operations, employee relations or HR advisory work who is looking to develop their career further into People Business Partnering. Working closely with managers and senior leaders, you will provide practical and commercially minded guidance across a broad range of people matters. You will support the day-to-day people needs of a fast-paced Sales organisation while building your understanding of the business and contributing to longer-term people priorities.

The role will cover areas including employee relations, performance management, organisational change, manager coaching, employee development and the delivery of key People programmes. As your knowledge of the business grows, you will have the opportunity to take greater ownership of workforce planning, organisational effectiveness and other strategic People initiatives.

You will work collaboratively with colleagues across People Business Partnering, People Operations, Learning & Development, Talent and Rewards & Benefits to provide an effective and joined-up People service.

What will I be doing:

• Act as a key People contact for managers and employees within your designated Sales population, providing practical and timely advice across a broad range of people matters.
• Build strong relationships with Sales leaders and managers, developing an understanding of their teams, commercial objectives and people priorities.
• Coach and advise managers on areas including performance management, employee relations, absence, employee development and organisational change.
• Take ownership of employee relations matters, managing cases effectively and escalating particularly complex or high-risk situations where appropriate.
• Support managers through performance and capability conversations, helping them address issues confidently, consistently and fairly.
• Partner with managers on organisational changes, including team changes and restructures, ensuring the people impact is considered and effectively managed.
• Support key People processes and programmes across the Sales organisation, working closely with the wider People team.
• Use people data and trends to help identify issues within the business and support appropriate actions and interventions.
• Develop an understanding of Sales workforce requirements and contribute to discussions around retention, talent, succession and workforce planning.
• Provide coaching and guidance to managers, helping build their confidence and capability in managing people.
• Support initiatives that improve employee experience, engagement and organisational effectiveness.
• Work collaboratively with People Operations, Talent, L&D and Rewards & Benefits to resolve employee and manager queries and deliver People initiatives.
• Build commercial awareness and use this understanding to ensure People advice is practical and appropriate for the needs of the Sales organisation.
• Contribute to wider People projects and gradually take ownership of more strategic initiatives as your partnering experience develops.

What experience do I need:

We are open to candidates taking their first step into a People Business Partner position, as well as those with existing Business Partnering experience.

You will ideally have:

• Strong experience in an Senior HR Adviser, Junior HRBP or similar operational HR role.
• Good generalist HR knowledge and experience supporting managers with a range of day-to-day people matters.
• Demonstrable experience managing employee relations cases and providing practical guidance to managers.
• Experience supporting areas such as performance management, organisational change, restructures and employee development.
• The confidence to build relationships with managers and increasingly senior stakeholders.
• An interest in developing from operational HR into broader and more strategic People Business Partnering.
• A practical and solutions-focused approach, with the ability to balance employee needs, business requirements and risk.
• Strong judgement and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters appropriately.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to work at pace, manage competing priorities and remain organised in a changing environment.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving, with the confidence to take ownership while recognising when escalation or additional support is required.
• Strong attention to detail alongside the ability to understand the broader business context.
• Experience using HR systems, ideally Workday, or the ability to quickly learn new HR technology.
• An interest in using people data and insights to inform decisions and identify trends.
• Experience working across different regions or international employee populations would be beneficial but is not essential.

Desirable:

• CIPD qualified, working towards a CIPD qualification, or equivalent HR experience.

Benefits

• 23 days’ holiday + all public holidays, rising to 25 days after 2 years of service,

• Additional day off for your birthday,

• Private medical insurance which covers you, your cohabiting partner and children,

• Life insurance of 4 times your base salary,

• Salary sacrifice pension scheme,

• Enhanced family leave,

• Confidential Employee Assistance Program,

• Cycle to work scheme.

• As a growing business strengthening its governance and controls, this role plays a part in supporting high standards of integrity and accountability.

• Darktrace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

• Darktrace is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable laws. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact your Talent Partner.