People Partner- 12 month FTC (maternity cover)

Wunderman Thompson; London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the creative and consultancy space seeks a People Partner for a strategic role focused on enhancing employee engagement and performance. This 9-12 month FTC position involves working closely with senior leaders to implement HR strategies aligned with business goals. Ideal candidates will have proven HR expertise, communication skills, and experience in managing complex employee relations.

Qualifications

• Exceptional relationship-building skills with business leaders.
• Experience in change management initiatives.
• Strong business acumen to align HR strategies with business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Strategic business partnership to develop understanding of client group goals.
• Implement people strategies, talent management, and performance management practices.
• Lead employee engagement initiatives to foster an inclusive culture.

Skills

Strategic HR expertise

Leadership

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Data analytics knowledge

Education

Level 7 CIPD or equivalent

Job description

Who We Are:

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.

Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences.Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.

Role: People Partner
Line Manager: People Director
Contract: 9-12 month FTC (maternity cover)

We're seeking a strategic and influential People Partner at VML to be a key member of our team. You'll serve as a trusted advisor to business leaders, ensuring our people strategies directly advance our overall objectives. This role is dedicated to fostering a high-performing, engaged, and inclusive work environment for all employees. Bring your HR expertise to provide strategic guidance, grow our talent, and champion continuous cultural improvement.

You’ll be responsible for:

• Strategic business partnership to your designated client groups, developing a deep understanding of their goals, challenges, and opportunities.

• People strategy development & implementation, by collaborating with senior leaders in your client group to develop and implement people strategies that support business objectives, including talent planning, development, performance management, and employee engagement.

• Talent management & development, by leading talent management initiatives, including succession planning, people development, and supporting career pathways, to ensure a pipeline of high-potential employees.

• Performance management leadership, guiding and supporting leaders in implementing effective performance management practices, including goal setting, performance reviews, and development planning.

• Employee relations expert, providing expert guidance and support to managers on complex employee relations matters, ensuring fair and consistent approach to our policies and mitigating risk.

• Change management leadership, by leading and supporting change management initiatives, ensuring effective communication, employee engagement, and successful implementation.

• Employee engagement & culture building by developing and implementing initiatives to foster employee engagement, promote a positive and inclusive work environment, and strengthen our company culture.

• Data-driven insights, by utilising data and analytics to identify trends, measure the effectiveness of People initiatives, and make data-driven recommendations for improvement.

• Compensation & benefits strategy, collaborating with the People Ops team to develop and implement competitive compensation and benefits programs that attract and retain top talent.

• Legal compliance, ensuring compliance with all applicable employment laws and regulations, and mitigating risks.

• Collaboration & teamwork, working collaboratively with the wider People team and agency leaders to achieve shared goals and objectives.

What You'll Bring:

• Strategic HR expert with a deep understanding of HR principles and practices and a proven track record of developing and implementing successful people strategies.

• Strong business acumen with a strong understanding of business principles and the ability to align People strategies with business objectives.

• Leadership & influence as a trusted People advisor with the ability to influence and inspire others.

• Exceptional relationship-building skills and the ability to build trust and credibility with business leaders and employees at all levels.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, enabling you to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.

• Strategic thinking with strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

• Experience leading and supporting change management initiatives.

• A deep understanding of employee relations principles and best practices.

• Data and analytics knowledge to inform HR decisions.

• A recent background of People Partnering in a complex business.

• Level 7 CIPD or equivalent

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 an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to 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.

VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram, LinkedIn,and X .

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