HR Business Partner - Midway New Openings - North America

Merlin Entertainments North America Hub, 8529, South Park Circle, Suite 200
Orlando, Florida, 32819
United States

Merlin Entertainments is a business built on fun. We are the world's second-largest visitor attraction operator and we have over 130 attractions, 21 hotels and 6 holiday villages in 24 countries across 4 continents. Our iconic brands include the likes of SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, the Dungeons, LEGOLAND Parks, LEGO® Discovery Centres and more!

A job with Merlin isn’t like a job anywhere else. With attractions around the world, from rollercoasters to wax figures, we don’t trade in suits, handshakes or briefcases. We trade in fun. In smiles, shrieks and spine-tingles. In Memories. In magic. But there are no tricks behind our magic. Instead, there are people like you. Passionate, dedicated people who are committed to making sure our worldwide attractions and guests’ experiences are the best they can be.

We are now looking for a HR Business Partner to join our Midway New Openings team in North America. This is a seriously exciting role that is instrumental to the New Openings team to support our Midway attractions roll out plan in North America.

About the role

Reporting to the HR Director – Midway New Openings, this is a fantastic opportunity for a strong HR professional to bring their People & Culture skills to a unique environment. With both a strategic, project management and operational focus; this role offers experience in a global organisation where HR is truly valued.

Merlin is a large international business that continues to grow and we ae looking for an HR Business Partner to support our new attraction openings in North America. You will work with business leaders and attraction teams to ensure we successfully open our new Midway Attractions, recruiting the very best team, at the right time and partnering with the management team to ensure that the Merlin Culture and values are instilled from the very start, ensuring the best onboarding, induction and training is in place in-order-to equip our teams to deliver memorable experiences to all who walk through our doors.

Key focus areas

• You will be responsible to deliver the people plan for our Midway New Openings in North America – this is an exciting role where no two days are the same, hiring and onboarding the very first member of staff and then working with the management team to hire their teams, you will be instrumental in building the very best teams from inception to the project/attraction delivery
• Passionate about people, you will embody our Merlin values, (known as the Merlin Way), you will engage people though recruitment drives and assessment centres to ensure we have the very best teams in place
• You will ensure that we have the very best induction and training plan in place for our teams that is engaging and educational setting our teams up for a successful start
• You will effectively partner with the business on all employment-related issues, in line with legislation and operational requirements
• You will act as the champion of employee engagement for our new Midway North America attractions and central team
• You will develop a strong rapport with all levels within the organisation to influence commercially savvy business decisions
• You will collaborate with the New Openings, Midway North America and Global HR teams on national projects and tasks, participating actively in the delivery of the HR strategy
• You will work closely with the North America People Hub for recruitment, compensation and benefits and payroll requirements
• You will champion all talent and development programs for Midway New Openings in North America, ensuring that our teams are set up for success

About you

• This position requires strong skills in problem solving of complex employee relations issues, effective communication with employees at multiple levels across the organization, and the ability to work in a very fast-paced environment.
• Partnering skills - HR and employee relations Business Partnering background and experience; the ability to interpret business needs, and translate into solutions
• Expertise and experience in the application of employment law in the USA is essential
• Commercial acumen - evidence of understanding, articulating and supporting business strategy
• Stakeholder skills - a proven ability to coach, facilitate and influence from front line employee to senior leader level
• Experience in delivering work and projects in complex environments with an ability to simplify that complexity to deliver positive outcomes
• Excellent communication skills
• Stays current with contemporary thinking and is willing to challenge beliefs and traditional approaches to drive a higher quality organisational performance and culture
• Strong HR All-rounder - self starter
• Solutions orientated
• Proficient in MS Office and HR systems
• Experience in opening new attractions/hotels/cruise ships/retail or cinema businesses would be a definite plus
• Experience with HRIS is a plus (Cornerstone or similar).
• Qualification in HR from SHRM/HRCI beneficial
• Must have the legal right to live and work in the United States of America

The Perks & Benefits

• Excellent health care options (medical, dental, and vision that encourage preventative care)
• Outstanding Paid Time Off (PTO) that allows for adventure, rest, relaxation, or recuperation.
• Merlin Magic Pass for friends and family to enjoy the parks & attractions
• Recognition Programs and Rewards
• 401(k) program with company match
• Tuition reimbursement programs
• Numerous learning and advancement opportunities

Everyone Matters at Merlin

At Merlin we welcome the world to our magical attractions and resorts every day and we want to reflect that same multicultural mix inside our business too. We strive to create an inclusive and diverse workplace where people can be themselves, have the same opportunities and thrive together. Because at Merlin, everyone matters!

Together, we work to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, no matter their age, race, gender, disability or sexual orientation. Although we understand that we'll always be learning and growing, we aim to be the most inclusive and flexible employer in our industry.