Area P&O Business Partner

Location – Rome: 50% remote, 50% field-based

Hours – 40 hours per week

Job Purpose
The Area People Partner (P&O BP) serves as the primary P&O business partner for an Operating unit. This role aligns people strategies with business needs, champions a culture of well-being, and cultivates a workplace where people flourish and pets thrive. The position drives operational excellence while offering strategic guidance, supporting leaders and associates across the full employee lifecycle—from onboarding and development to retention and compliance. This role exists to align people strategies with business goals, drive organizational performance, and enable workforce agility within the area.

Key Responsibilities

Partner with Operating Unit leadership teams to understand business challenges and develop tailored people solutions. Support talent management, workforce planning, performance management, succession, L&D initiatives and associate engagement initiatives across the region

Advise on organizational design and change management needs to support business growth and transformation

Partner with area and hospital leadership to understand business challenges and provide strategic, people-focused P&O support tailored to veterinary practice

Support associate engagement through proactive listening, pulse checks, and action planning

Lead associate relations, including investigations and disciplinary actions, ensuring compliance with labour regulations and company policies

Collaborate with P&O Centers of Excellence and cross-functional teams (Legal, Benefits, Payroll, etc.) to implement policies, resolve associate issues, and drive the overall P&O strategy

Use people analytics to identify trends, mitigate risk, and inform interventions

Provide leadership coaching and facilitate training in people management, compliance, and best practices

Champion inclusion and diversity initiatives, ensuring alignment with Mars' values and principles

Stay current on P&O issues and policy updates, ensuring timely communication and training within the team

Represent and role-model Mars culture in all interactions, supporting key initiatives such as MAS follow-up and People Development Plan (PDP) execution

The job responsibilities include board positions that may be required according to the needs of the company, as well as any tasks or representations for or on behalf of the company that may be required for the company to conduct its business in a country

Context and Scope
This role operates across multiple sites or hospitals in a designated region, balancing strategic and operational P&O responsibilities. It demands the ability to manage multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced, multicultural, and matrixed environment. The Area P&O Partner is a key influencer and connector between the field and corporate teams, contributing to both local success and broader enterprise goals.

Job Specifications/Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field

5+ years experience in P&O business partnering, preferably in a multi-site or multi-country context

Excellent spoken and written Italian and English

Strong knowledge of labor laws and employment practices within the area

Proven ability to influence and build trusted relationships with senior leaders

Experience in change management and organizational development

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Ability to manage complexity, ambiguity, and multiple priorities

Data-driven mindset with ability to interpret and act on people metrics

Outstanding writing skills for documentation and case management

Data-driven mindset with ability to interpret P&O metrics

Whatwe Offer

Permanent employment contract

Initial Remuneration: From €45.801,00 gross per annum at commencement of employment. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualised factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience and applicable collective agreements

Applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement (CCNL): Commercio Terziario

Classification Level: 1

Relevant CCNL Provisions: The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, if