Interim Head of HR, UK & Ireland (Maternity Cover)

Publicisresources; London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Head of HR to lead the HR function during a fixed-term maternity cover. This hands-on leadership role involves driving HR initiatives, ensuring compliance with policies, and managing a team to foster a high-performance culture. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment and has significant experience in HR management. The position offers a hybrid working pattern, allowing for a balanced work-life experience while contributing to a vibrant and inclusive workplace culture. Join a company dedicated to innovation and employee well-being.

Benefits

Annual Leave (25 days plus 8 bank holidays)

Flexible Bank Holidays

Help@Hand lifestyle and wellbeing app

Inclusive Policies for Family Leave

Local discounts at restaurants & retailers

Onsite Café with complimentary breakfast

Qualifications

• Significant managerial HR experience in the UK.
• Ability to advise on HR best practices while being empathetic and supportive.
• Experience in a fast-paced HR generalist role.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR initiatives aligned with company goals and support a high-performance culture.
• Ensure compliance with Publicis Groupe policies and manage HR operations.
• Provide daily support and development for direct reports.

Skills

Employment law & HR best practice

HR policies and procedures

Microsoft Office skills

Time management

Communication skills

Education

CIPD qualification

Job description

Company description

Publicis Groupeis one of the largest advertising agency holding companies in the world and a global leader in the fields of marketing, communications, and digital transformation. AConnecting Companyfor the Connected Age, Publicis Groupe delivers winning solutions for clients through thePower of One - driven by a common purpose, a powerful spirit, shared behaviours, great character and a relentless focus on our clients. Publicis Re:Sourcesis the backbone of Publicis Groupe. Re:Sources has grown to 5,000+ professionals servicing a network of prestigiousagencies across the globe supporting 63+ markets. Re:Sources is Publicis Groupe'sShared Services Platform.Weprovide Publicis Groupe agencies with the business solutions, technology platforms and expertise they need to transform, innovate and increase productivity.

Overview

We are looking for an experienced Head of HR (12 months Maternity Cover) to provide strategic and operational leadership for the HR function during a fixed-term 12 months contract. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will play a key role in driving HR initiatives aligned to our company’s goals, supporting a high-performance culture, and ensuring operational excellence across all HR disciplines, while leading a team of three direct reports. This is a hands-on leadership position, ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

This role will be based in ourLondonoffice.Please only apply if you have the right to work in UK.

Position Summary:

• HR lead for Re:Sources UK and Ireland. Responsible for the delivery of HR activities - hiring, employee engagement, employee relations, performance improvement, training and Groupe-wide initiatives.
• To ensure that the HR department’s practice is in line with Janus (Publicis Groupe Policies), in addition to audit and compliance activities.
• To act as escalation to the Publicis Groupe UK Brands, ensure that SLAs and KPIs are met.
• Provide daily support to direct reports in the delivery of their work as well as their professional development.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

HR Strategy

• Work closely with HR Director EMEA to ensure any Talent strategies and programmes are rolled out to the UK & Ireland in line with Global Groupe initiatives.
• Work with HR Director EMEA and Global C&B Team to carry out compensation reviews for bonus/merit rounds.
• Support Managing Director with quarterly town hall updates and presentations.

Advisory (Re:Sources UK and Ireland only)

• Lead and provide guidance on procedures such as Disciplinaries, Raising Concerns (Grievances), Probations, Redundancies, Terminations, TUPE Transfers, etc.
• Act as escalation point for Employee Relations issues.
• Interpreting and communicating appropriately with managers and employees company policy and legislation.
• Engaging with employment legal when necessary, and following advice accordingly.

Team Management

• Ensure support and feedback is provided via regular one-to-one meetings, quarterly and annual performance reviews.
• Perform the evaluation process in Career Conversations at given periods.

Compliance

• ISO27001
  • Lead POC for ensuring HR department is compliant ahead of annual audits - internal and external.
  • Approval of documents list and ensuring trackers, version numbers and changes are updated and recorded correctly.
  • Supplier Security Risk Assessments – via GSO (Global Security Office).
  • Annual review of Business Contingency Plan (BCP).
• GDPR
  • Ensure controls are followed up such as deletions in line with our Retention Policy.
  • Ensuring necessary assessments are undertaken regarding the addition or removal of vendors to internal supplier risk assessment lists.
• CSR
  • Approver for quarterly CSR submissions.
  • Prepare and submit information to Finance on a quarterly basis.

HR Operations (all Brands including ReSources)

• Ensure contract templates used are Groupe approved (by Employment Lawyer) and agreed with Agency representative. Ensure the templates are maintained and updated when necessary.
• Act as escalation for the UK Brands and Re:Sources Poland. Attend monthly HR Ops service/projects review.
• Lead any new agency integration projects, Country Ops Review & New Projects.

Payroll Monthly Actions

• Review and approve payroll actions for Re:Sources UK and Ireland staff.
• Action any complex adhoc actions for the Re:Sources UK and Ireland payroll.
• Responsible for sign off ahead of final MD approval for monthly payroll.
• HSBC File approver for Ireland payrolls.

Other Tasks

• Supporting the HR Director EMEA in any ad hoc projects.
• Lead for the Re:Sources D&I Champions and Steering Committee, as well as the Headline (Mental Health & Wellbeing) initiative.
• Lead and coordinate various DEI initiatives i.e. mentorship and work experience programmes.
• Learning and Development – put together and roll out training for various topics including D&I initiatives (Unconscious Bias), new Groupe policies, manager workshops and HR systems training.

Qualifications

Experience/Qualifications/Certifications

Significant work experience in a managerial HR role in the UK.

Ability to give appropriate advice on a range of HR best practices whilst being empathetic, supportive and risk adverse.

Experience of being in a standalone, fast paced and varied HR generalist role.

Used to dealing with multi-regional stakeholders.

Preferable Shared Service Centre experience.

Preferable experience of HR practice in Ireland.

CIPD qualification not essential.

Knowledge & Skills (including technology)

• Employment law & HR best practice.
• HR policies and procedures.
• Strong Microsoft office skills.
• Excellent time management, prioritisation and multi-tasking.
• Strong Communication skills with all levels.
• Ability to analyse and display sound judgment over complex and sensitive matters.

Attributes/Behaviours

• Leadership, coaching, empathetic, forward thinking.
• Organised and methodical.
• Proactive and positive attitude.
• Display discretion when managing confidential information.

Additional information

We offer ahybrid workingpattern of 3 days in the office and 2 days WFH. Our main office islocated in the iconic Television Centre (TVC) at White City, London.

We are aDisability Confident Employerand are committed to providing a fair assessment process and are happy to discuss and explore reasonable adjustments during the hiring process. Publicis Groupe UK fosters and inclusive environment through our inspirationalEmployee Action Groups(EAGs).

We have a comprehensivebenefitsoffering. Our full health and lifestyle benefits package will be shared with you, when you join us. In addition to key benefits like Pension, Life Assurance, Income Protection and Private Medical, some of our other benefits are:

• Annual Leave(25 days plus 8 bank holidays), increasing after 5 years, by 1 day per additional service up to 30 days.Birthday Day Off that can be used in your birthday monthand the opportunity toBuyor Sell Holidayat the start on each year.
• Flexible Bank Holidays,you can switch the 2 Easter bank holidays for other days of your choosing.Reflection Days for time away from work to focus on what works best for you.
• Help@Hand,our lifestyle and wellbeing app that supports you and your family; 24/7Helpline, Remote GPs, Medical or 2nd Opinion, Mental Health &Wellbeing,Physiotherapy,1-2-1 Lifestyle Coaching,Nutritional Consultations, Savings & Discounts and lots more.
• Inclusive Policiesto support you and your family including enhanced Family Leave, Disability, Carers, Transitioning at Work, Flexible Working, Menopause.
• Local discounts,restaurants & retailers in Westfield White City.Onsite Caféwith complimentary breakfast, a subsidised lunch menu, and an in-house barista.