Home. There’s no place like it. And there’s no feeling like helping people create the joy of feeling truly at home. At Dunelm, that’s what we do. We’re the UK's number one choice for homewares because we make home life lovelier for our customers. And the caring and supportive culture we've created makes this a place you'll feel right at home too.
We are the UK’s Number One homewares retailer offering over 70,000 products building a consumer-focused total retail business that delights customers through our multichannel operation.
We are ambitious in our plans to drive further expansion of the business to more customers, shopping more frequently, with more choice, enhanced digital and physical services, and new capabilities to innovate and operate at pace in a fast-changing landscape. In developing the business for the long-term benefit of our customers, we are investing in our supply chain, stores and technology to improve the customer proposition as we move forward.
Department Overview
The People team is a central space where all things colleague take place; from recruitment and onboarding of new colleagues to training, development and reward. At Dunelm, colleagues are at the centre of everything we do and that’s why we have such a dedicated team of professionals working to support them.
The team has a diverse wealth of knowledge, ranging from specialised roles focused on Management Information/analytics, Learning & Development and Diversity & Inclusion alongside more People generalised roles such as People Partners.
There are always exciting initiatives and projects underway, with endless opportunities to improve the quality of our colleagues’ experience. From feedback gathered in a variety of ways, such as our colleague Voice forum, we have introduced all kinds of fantastic ideas such as “Moments of Kindness”!
By utilising accurate and relevant colleague data and collaborating with teams across the business, the Belonging Partner role will help deliver our Belonging strategy.
Reporting to the Senior Belonging Manager, the role would suit an individual who is used to working in a fast-paced environment, where adapting to change, and flexibility is vital for success. Through taking ownership for Inclusion & Diversity (I & D) projects, the Belonging Partner will have the opportunity to influence people initiatives across Dunelm.
Role Responsibilities
- Be an ambassador for I&D and the People team, taking a focussed and proactive approach to development for yourself and others with particular focus on I&D.
- Ensure I&D is embedded and promoted in every touchpoint of the colleague experience.
- Centrally manage the Colleague Networks (Disability & Neurodiversity, Ethnicity & Race, Gender, and LGBTQ+), liaising with Co-Chairs and the wider business to ensure alignment to the People Plan.
- Supporting the Colleague Networks to help deliver projects, campaigns, celebrations, and education initiatives.
- Collate and analyse data and make recommendations off the back of it to make Dunelm more inclusive.
- Show initiative and creativity in your approach to delivering on our Belonging strategy.
- Co-design and deliver inclusive training programmes and workshops alongside the Learning & Development team.
- Develop and build relationships with colleagues, providing constructive challenges as well as acting as a sounding board and advisor.
- Work with our strategic partners to act as an advisor on I&D at all levels through the full colleague experience. Work with the wider People team to help assist the successful and inclusive delivery of all annual processes.
- Take ownership of your role in driving inclusivity in the colleague experience team projects.
- Build strong relevant internal and external networks and to assist with the coordination and facilitation of employee-led forums that drive real, tangible change in our business.
- Proactively use internal and external networks and resources to advance and share I, D & W knowledge, and awareness.
- Create content on I&D for colleagues to engage with on internal communication and learning platforms.
- Organise and facilitate listening groups with colleagues at all levels on I&D.
- Work with internal teams and our colleagues to promote I&D on relevant platforms and to celebrate key dates such as Pride, Black History Month, International Women’s Day, Mental Health Awareness Week and much more.
- Responsible for the design, development and implementation of policies and leader guidance document to support life events.
- Identify and develop support for colleagues (policies, manager guides) relating to areas of I&D.
What We Will Look For In You
- Passion for inclusion, diversity, and wellbeing (I&D).
- Confident in challenging others in a constructive manner.
- Ability to build and maintain strong, meaningful relationships.
- Data analytical skills.
- Confident communicator, comfortable communicating with colleagues at all levels.
- Presentation skills and/or experience of delivering training and awareness.
- Project management skills.
- Creativity, passion, and a drive to deliver exceptional results.
- Organisation and planning skills.
- Decision making.
- Able to work proactively to identify and resolve issues.
- Be visible, credible and a consistent positive role model.
- Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities.
- Able to think critically and reflect objectively on the ideas, opinions, and arguments of others.
Find your happy place
Dunelm is committed to becoming a fully inclusive business that is representative of our customers and locations. We recognise the value in diversity and welcome applications from all candidates regardless of sex, age, race, religion, ability, gender or sexual identity, socio-economic background or education. We are committed to making Dunelm a place where everyone can enjoy a successful career and have systems in place to support all our colleagues. We are seeking applications from candidates who share our values and celebrate diversity in all its forms.