Laura Riley

Dynamic People Partner with experience managing multi-country HR operations across the UK and Germany in fast-paced, tech-driven environments. Expert in Workday and HRIS data integrity, payroll input, and compliance. Trusted advisor to leaders on employee relations, talent programs, and organizational change. Passionate about inclusive, data-led people practices and exceptional employee experiences.

Human Resource Business Partner – ER - Pure Cremation

(2026-06)

• Partnered with managers at all levels to provide expert Employee Relations advice, enabling risk-based and commercially focused decision-making.
• Managed a broad range of complex ER cases, including disciplinary, grievance, performance, absence, capability and occupational health matters, ensuring compliance with employment law and company policy.
• Conducted and oversaw disciplinary and grievance investigations, delivering fair, consistent and legally compliant outcomes.
• Coached and developed managers on people management practices, enhancing capability in performance management, attendance, employee relations and career development conversations.
• Partnered with HR colleagues and business leaders to align ER strategy with organisational objectives and drive positive employee outcomes.
• Analysed ER data and trends to identify risks, inform proactive interventions and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Utilised HR systems and payroll data to maintain accurate employee records, support reporting requirements and mitigate organisational risk.
• Contributed to cross-functional HR projects, delivering people-focused solutions across a range of business priorities

People Partner (UK & Germany) - Manhattan Associates

(2025-06 - 2026-06)

• Provide strategic HR support and partnership to business leaders and employees across the UK and Germany, ensuring seamless delivery of core HR processes and legal compliance.
• Function as a trusted advisor on people matters, driving engagement, inclusion, and operational excellence.
• Owned end-to-end HR operations and employee lifecycle for UK and Germany, ensuring compliance with local employment laws and company policies.
• Managed complex employee relations cases with professionalism and empathy; coached managers and ensured fair outcomes.
• Maintained accurate HR data and reporting in Workday to support payroll, compliance, and workforce analytics.
• Partnered with leadership on talent programs, performance reviews, and compensation calibration, aligned to benchmarking, equal pay, and industry standards.
• Oversaw maternity, paternity, adoption, and sickness processes, including risk assessments and occupational health referrals.
• Administered benefits and maintained policy documents; created new local policies to ensure legislative compliance.
• Collaborated with Global Mobility to monitor immigration compliance and support projects in Slovenia, Austria, Australia, and Finland.
• Designed and delivered in-house training (Sexual Harassment Prevention, DEI, Equity & Bias, Neuro-inclusion) across UK and Germany.
• Led departmental restructure planning and execution to enable organisational efficiency.
• Delivered a Health & Safety project in Germany to meet Düsseldorf district guidelines for office safety.
• Monitored legislative changes (EU Pay Transparency Directive, UK Employment Changes Bill) and implemented proactive compliance measures.

HR Advisor - William Grant & Sons

(2024-08 - 2025-06)

• Provided HR advisory support across employee relations, payroll, policy governance, and talent programs; partnered with the executive board and delivered data-led insights.
• Supported collective consultation (administration, schedules, note-taking).
• Coached managers on disciplinary and grievance processes; prepared packs and conducted investigations.
• Delivered insights via employee engagement survey analysis and HR data reporting.
• Ensured contracts, policies, and documentation were up to date and legally compliant.
• Supported L&D: coaching, facilitating training sessions, and career centres.
• Managed payroll queries and audits; supported end-to-end employee lifecycle from onboarding to exit.
• Led DE&I initiatives: committee member, organised events, seminars, and facilitated coaching.
• Oversaw absence management: OH consultations, maternity, sickness management, and leave of absence.

HR Generalist - Enterprise Rent a Car

(2020-08 - 2024-08)

• Provided comprehensive HR generalist support across ER cases, policy governance, HRIS migrations, L&D delivery, payroll, recruitment, and engagement initiatives.
• Partnered with leadership to ensure consistency and compliance; facilitated regular coaching sessions.
• Managed disciplinary and grievance cases end-to-end; produced investigations and hearing minutes.
• Led HRIS migration to Workday/Dayforce: testing, training, and ongoing data maintenance.
• Delivered training sessions for leaders and employees; supported employee lifecycle from recruitment to exit.
• Managed payroll queries and audits; conducted comprehensive audits of employee data.
• Organised engagement activities (Employee Appreciation Day, annual awards) and charity events (4–6 per year).
• Initiated DE&I podcast 'In My Shoes' to raise awareness via employee storytelling.
• Managed absence management for all leave types: OH referrals, maternity, sabbaticals, holiday audits, and calculations.
• Collaborated with external providers (training/legal) and supported employees with personal/work-related issues.
• Owned new hire inductions and exit interviews; analysed trends to drive improvements.

Talent Acquisition Specialist - Enterprise Rent a Car

(2018-09 - 2020-08)

• Managed internal recruitment and succession planning; drafted job descriptions and ran selection processes.
• Led external recruitment: job ads, careers fairs, workshops; implemented tech (e.g., Live ware) to capture candidate data.
• Managed apprentice programme with local providers for 12-month placements.
• Supported onboarding and induction; coordinated 30/60/90-day completion.
• Ensured right-to-work documentation accuracy and GDPR compliant records.

Claims Team People Leader - Enterprise Rent a Car

(2016-04 - 2018-09)

• Managed a team of up to twenty employees; conducted appraisals and performance reviews.
• Led projects and delivered data analysis and reporting.
• Managed general administration and process improvement.

CIPD Level 5 Associate - University of Surrey (2025-01)

Business Management NVQ level 3 (2020-02)

Business Administration NVQ level 2 (2019-02)

English, Maths, ITC level 3 (2019-02)

Beauty Therapy L2 & L3 - City & Guilds