Director, People Partner (Parental Leave Cover)

About WPP Media

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships – all united by our pioneering agentic marketing platform, WPP Open – we help clients navigate change, capture opportunity, and deliver transformational growth. 

WPP Media is WPP's AI-driven media operating unit, bringing together media, data, and partnerships to deliver creative personalisation at scale. Connected through WPP Open and powered by Open Intelligence, clients see exactly where, how, and why their media investment is working.

For more information, visit wppmedia.com .

About WPP Media

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients and communities. For more information, visit wpp.com.

WPP Media is WPP’s global media collective. In a world where media is everywhere and in everything, we bring the best platform, people, and partners together to create limitless opportunities for growth. For more information, visit wppmedia.com

Role Summary and Impact

As Director, People Partner, you'll act as a trusted advisor to leadership, providing expert guidance and support on all people-related matters, including talent management, organizational development, employee relations, compensation, and performance management. The Director will work closely with Centres of Value to ensure alignment and effective delivery of People programs and services. This is a high-impact opportunity to shape our culture and develop our talent.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Partnership:

• Serve as a strategic business partner to leadership understanding their business goals, challenges, and opportunities.
• Develop and implement people strategies that align with business objectives and drive organizational performance.
• Provide expert advice and counsel on all people-related matters, including organizational design, talent acquisition, performance management, compensation, employee relations, and leadership development.
• Anticipate future workforce needs and proactively develop solutions to address them.

Team Management:

• May lead or mentor a small team of People Partner/s, fostering a high-performing and collaborative environment.
• Provide coaching and guidance to team members on complex people issues.
• Set clear expectations, provide regular feedback, and conduct performance reviews.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning and development within the team.

Talent Management:

• Implement talent management programs, including succession planning, leadership development, and employee development for your employee population.
• Identify and develop high-potential employees.
• Work with the Talent Acquisition team to ensure effective recruitment and onboarding processes.
• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives to create a welcoming and inclusive workplace.

Organizational Development:

• Assist with organizational design and change management initiatives to improve organizational effectiveness.

Employee Relations:

• Provide guidance and support to managers on employee relations issues, ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
• A point of escalation for the team and managing high profiles cases.
• Conduct investigations into employee complaints and resolve conflicts, partnering closely with the Employee Relations Centre of Value.

Compensation & Benefits:

• In partnership with the Compensation team, provide guidance to managers on compensation decisions.
• Communicate compensation and benefits programs to employees.

Performance Management:

• Ensure that performance management is aligned with business objectives and that ongoing conversations are happening across your employee population.
• Provide coaching and support as needed to assist with performance management conversations.

Data & Analytics:

• Partner closely with the Data & Analytics Centre of Value to use data to inform decision-making and communicate with the business.

Client Focus:

• Live a client-centric mindset ensuring that we deliver exceptional service and build strong relationships with our key clients both internally and externally.
• Partner with our Client teams, as needed, to support with people related aspects, including, but not limited to, participation in client meetings, onboarding new client teams or addressing employee concerns.

Collaboration:

• Collaborate effectively with other People functions and Centres of Value, including Talent Acquisition, Compensation, Payroll, Organisational Development & Growth, DEI, Employee Relations, Data & Analytics, and People Operations.
• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders across the organization.
• Live the One GroupM mindset providing support where required across the organization and participating in key People projects and initiatives.

Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with local laws and regulations, ensuring implementation of changes to the team and business.
• Stay up-to-date on best practices and trends.

Skills and Experience

At WPP Media, we believe in the power of our culture and our people. It’s what elevates us to deliver exceptional experiences for both our clients and each other. In this role it will be critical to embrace WPP & WPP Media’s shared core values:

• Be Extraordinary by Leading Collectively to Inspire transformational Creativity.
• Create an Open environment by Balancing People and Client Experiences by Cultivating Trust .
• Lead Optimistically by Championing Growth and Development to Mobilize the Enterprise .

The Director, People Partner requires a strategic HR leader with great business acumen, who can act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and drive significant organizational impact through people initiatives.

Moreover, you will possess the following qualifications and experience:

• Proven track record in a senior HRBP role, developing and implementing people strategies aligned with business objectives and advising senior leadership on complex matters including organizational design, talent management, change leadership, compensation, and complex employee relations.
• In-depth experience managing high-profile ER cases, providing senior guidance, conducting investigations, and partnering with specialist teams.
• Success in implementing comprehensive talent programs (e.g., succession planning, leadership development) and leading/supporting large-scale OD and change management initiatives.
• Exceptional ability to build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, including C-suite, and collaborate effectively with People Centres of Value.
• Experience leading, mentoring, and developing HR professionals, fostering a high-performing team.
• Strong analytical skills to leverage HR data for strategic decisions and effective communication.
• Comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of UK employment legislation and HR best practices.
• Previous experience and affinity with Media, IT, Data, and/or Technology companies is highly advantageous.

Life at WPP Media & Benefits

Our passion for shaping the next era of media includes investing in our employees to help them do their best work, and we’re just as committed to employee growth as we are to responsible media investment. WPP Media employees can tap into the global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, grow their networks, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising. We have a variety of employee resource groups and host frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our benefits include competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision, and dental insurance, significant paid time off, preferential partner discounts, and employee mental health awareness days.

WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

Please note this is a UK based role and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location

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