Sephora Head of HR Business Partner, Retail
- Employment
- Full-Time
- Seniority
- Manager
- Department
- Human Resources, People & Culture
- Posted
- Jul 9, 2026
About Sephora
Sephora is a global prestige beauty leader, renowned for redefining the retail experience through creativity, inclusivity, and expert service. Founded in France and now part of LVMH, the company brings together an exceptional portfolio of beauty brands with a distinctive culture of discovery and innovation. As an employer, Sephora offers a dynamic, customer-centered environment where talent is encouraged to learn, experiment, and grow across retail, digital, merchandising, operations, and corporate functions. Its teams are united by a passion for beauty, entrepreneurship, and belonging, making Sephora a compelling workplace for professionals seeking impact within a fast-moving international brand.
Sephora seeks Head of HRBP Retail in Milan—strategic HR leader with 5+ years retail experience to drive talent management and organizational culture.
Role & Responsibilities
- Partner with the HR Director and Area Managers to define annual payroll and headcount strategy through the National Committee
- Identify talent needs, risks, and gaps; develop and execute comprehensive talent management plans to address shortfalls
- Facilitate and lead Talent Reviews and Succession Planning processes across the business unit and its functions
- Translate business strategy into targeted HR initiatives in support of assigned clients and geographic areas
- Support Area Managers in developing people strategies aligned with company vision and operational requirements
- Define recruitment needs in cooperation with Area Managers and establish appropriate recruitment strategies
- Monitor organizational climate and cultural health across the retail network, ensuring consistency and fairness across locations
- Lead communication flows between Area Managers, stores, and the HR Department; act as a key liaison
- Ensure adherence to HR policies and coordinate disciplinary actions in collaboration with Area Managers
- Establish and deploy training strategies with the L&D Manager; oversee cascading of learning initiatives across retail operations
- Manage labor disputes, disciplinary actions, and employee grievances in compliance with local labor law
- Champion occupational health and safety policies, standards, and practices across the network
- Embody and promote Sephora values; serve as an organizational ambassador
- Act as a change management agent for business transformations and organizational initiatives
Qualifications
- Minimum 5 years of on-field HR experience, preferably in retail operations
- Fluency in English; additional languages highly valued
- Demonstrated expertise in talent management, succession planning, and organizational development
- Strong knowledge of Italian labor law and regulatory compliance
- Experience managing HR teams or leading cross-functional HR initiatives
- Proven ability to drive change and influence at multiple organizational levels
Skills
Experience
Minimum 5 years in on-field HR roles, preferably in retail or multi-location service environments. Demonstrated experience in talent management, succession planning, and strategic HR business partnering with senior business leadership.
Workplace
The successful candidate will be located in Milan, Lombardy, Italy.
Benefits
Competitive tailored welfare offers; free beauty product gifts; access to discounts on Sephora and LVMH products; modern offices in central Milan with break and relaxation areas; annual convention and team building activities; smart working and flexible hours; professional development and learning opportunities.
Culture
Sephora fosters a dynamic, inclusive workplace where creativity, curiosity, and a passion for beauty are encouraged at every level. As an employer, it is distinguished by its focus on empowerment, continuous learning, and a collaborative retail culture that celebrates individuality and client-centric innovation.
About Cerulean
Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Sephora, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «HR Business Partner Manager, Retail», «Retail HR Manager», «Senior HR Business Partner», «HRBP Lead, Store Operations», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.