Employee Relations Director

Group M Worldwide Inc.; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Director of Employee Relations for its EMEA operations. This pivotal role involves managing employee relations, conducting investigations, and ensuring compliance with employment laws. You will develop effective relationships across the People community and drive a high-performing culture. The ideal candidate will have senior management experience in Employee Relations, strong communication skills, and a deep understanding of EMEA employment laws. Join a forward-thinking company that values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace.

Qualifications

• Senior management experience in Employee Relations with EMEA responsibilities.
• Strong understanding of employment laws across key EMEA countries.

Responsibilities

• Manage employee relations matters across the EMEA region.
• Conduct HR investigations and provide expert guidance.

Skills

Employee Relations

Investigations

Employment Law

Communication Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Analytical Skills

Education

CIPD Qualification

Equivalent HR Certification

Job description

Title: Director, Employee Relations, GroupM EMEA

Reports To: Executive People Director, GroupM EMEA

Department: People Team

About GroupM

GroupM is WPP’s media investment group and the world’s leading media investment company

with a mission to shape the next era of media where advertising works better for people. The

company is responsible for more than $60 billion in annual media investment, as measured by

the independent research bureau COMvergence. Through its global agencies Mindshare,

EssenceMediacom, and Wavemaker. GroupM’s portfolio includes Data & Technology, Investment

and Services, all united in vision to shape the next era of media where advertising works better

for people. GroupM leverages a unique combination of global scale, expertise, and innovation to

generate sustained value for clients wherever they do business. Discover more at

www.groupm.com

Role Summary & Impact

The UK is the largest market within EMEA region where 4,500+ people are employed within the

GroupM ecosystem. Marquee UK key clients include the likes of Amazon, BT, Tesco, Coca Cola,

Bayer, Dell, Unilever, M&S, Ford, Nestle, Mazda, Danone, Colgate and Paramount.

We have a bold ambition: to make GroupM UK the undisputed leader in our industry, the place

where everyone aspires to work and build a thriving career. As Director, Employee Relations

EMEA, you will play a key role in helping to bring this vision to life; ensuring we attract, retain,

and develop the very best talent in the market.

The Opportunity

The Director, Employee Relations EMEA manages a Senior Manager, Employee Relations EMEA,

being accountable for Employee Relations GroupM EMEA. You will have a wide-ranging brief to

maintain and develop effective working relationships across the wider People community,

creating a trust-based, high-performing culture that drives consistent delivery across your

business area. This role is central to supporting the broader business in all areas of People

teams.

The Director, Employee Relations, GroupM EMEA, is responsible for providing expert guidance

and directly handling employee relations matters across the EMEA region. This role ensures fair

and respectful treatment of employees by advising and supporting employees, managers, and

People Partners (HRBPs) on a broad range of escalated employment issues. The Director,

Employee Relations conducts thorough investigations, provides recommendations, upskilling in

the wider people team, and mitigates risks to the organization while ensuring compliance with

relevant employment laws and regulations within the EMEA region.

Key Responsibilities:

• Interpret and apply understanding of corporate policies and practices, relevant

employment laws and regulations across the EMEA region, and other relevant

regulations to provide advice, guidance, or clarification for Employee Relations

inquiries.

• Conduct HR investigations, including gathering and analyzing facts, applying relevant

laws, policies, and best practices to reach conclusions, recommend, and influence

management actions.

• Manage complex, high-risk, and sensitive investigations, ensuring fair and consistent

treatment/approach across different cultural and legal contexts within EMEA.

• Navigate the organizational implications of investigations with key stakeholders through

a balance of directness, objectivity, and compassion.

• Consider all facts to satisfactorily resolve matters for employees while mitigating

broader risks to the organization.

• Partner with the WPP Legal, as necessary.

• Maintain required documentation, including intake and investigative notes, supporting

documents, and final reports within the case management system.

• Help design and deliver training for employees, managers, and the People team that

ensures compliance with relevant legislative changes and guide ER best practices

specific to the EMEA region.

• Identify strategies to enhance the employee relations capabilities of our managers

within the EMEA context, considering regional differences.

• Ensure use of the ER Tracker across all markets in the region, report, and analyse case

trends utilising a case management system, providing insights into regional variations

and trends.

• Collaborate effectively with other People functions and Centres of Value, including

Talent Acquisition, Compensation, Payroll, Organisational Development & Growth, DEI,

and Data & Analytics.

• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders across the organisation.

• Stay up-to-date on best practices and trends in employee relations and employment

law across the EMEA region.

• Live a client-centric mindset ensuring that we deliver exceptional service and build

strong relationships with our key clients both internally and externally.

• Live the One GroupM mindset providing support where required across the organisation.

Qualifications:

• Senior management level experience in Employee Relations, including experience

leading and conducting investigations, preferably with EMEA-wide responsibilities.

• Experience identifying, diagnosing, and resolving complex issues in a human, unbiased,

and legally compliant manner, across different cultural and legal contexts.

• Proven ability to provide expertise, consultation, guidance, and coaching to managers,

people team, to address employee behavior and performance concerns.

• Strong understanding of employment laws and regulations across key EMEA countries

(e.g., UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, CEE, Nordics).

• Ability to handle confidential information in a professional manner and appropriately

escalate issues.

• Strong communication, interpersonal, and persuasion skills.

• Ability to convey ideas and recommendations in a clear, compelling, and succinct way

(written and verbal).

• Ability to establish influential partnerships working with peers, senior leaders, and

across organizational lines.

• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.

• Exceptional judgment, active listening, and critical thinking skills.

• Comfortable working with data to analyse key metrics to uncover trends and root

causes.

• CIPD qualification desirable, or equivalent HR certification relevant to the EMEA region.

• Fluency in English is essential. Additional European languages are highly desirable.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not

discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation,

age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status