Senior HR Advisor (Fixed-Term - 12 Months)

Dentsuaegis; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

24/7 Virtual GP

Generous sick‑pay policy

Wellbeing days

Volunteering time

Flexible bank‑holiday swaps

Retail discounts

Gym access

Tech schemes

Job summary

Dentsu in London is seeking a Senior HR Advisor to lead complex employee relations and strategic people initiatives within the CXM (Merkle) practice. You will partner with People Leaders, deliver trusted ER guidance, and drive key HR projects across the employee lifecycle.

This 12-month maternity cover role offers hybrid working from our London office and the chance to influence the UK CXM People Plan. CIPD-qualified professionals with strong data analysis skills are preferred.

Qualifications

• Experience handling complex employee relations matters and coaching senior stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of HR processes across Talent Development, Engagement, Reward and Benefits.
• Proactive, timely and effective HR support in fast-paced environments.

Responsibilities

• Act as senior point of expertise for People Leaders with ER and people matters guidance.
• Partner with HR to deliver a seamless, high‑quality HR service across functions.
• Lead key HR projects, implement new initiatives and tackle strategic people challenges.
• Use data insights to diagnose trends and inform decisions with CXM HR Team.
• Lead on complex Employee Relations cases and provide expert advice on performance, disciplinaries, grievances, and capability issues.
• Build influential relationships using data on performance, engagement, absence and retention to improve outcomes.

Skills

Employee relations

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Excel

Education

CIPD qualification or equivalent

CIPD Level 7 in progress

Tools

Excel

Job description

Senior HR Advisor | dentsu | London | Fixed Term (12 Months) | Hybrid

Make an impact as a Senior HR Advisor at dentsu, leading complex employee relations and strategic people initiatives across our CXM (Merkle) business.

Purpose of the Role

The Senior HR Advisor will partner closely with People Leaders across the CXM (Merkle) Practice Area, providing trusted expertise throughout the employee lifecycle, leading on complex employee relations (ER) cases, and driving the delivery of HR projects.

This role is a key strategic enabler and will have a significant impact on the delivery of the UK CXM People Plan. Reporting to the Senior HR Business Partner, the Senior HR Advisor will take ownership of key HR initiatives, lead cyclical people processes, and act as a senior point of guidance within the service line.

This role will report to our Senior HR Business Partner, the contract is 12 months.

What you'll do

• Act as a senior point of expertise for People Leaders, providing timely, professional second‑line guidance across the full spectrum of people matters.
• Partner collaboratively with all areas of the HR function to deliver a seamless, high‑quality HR service
• Support the Practice Area and Senior HR Business Partner by leading and contributing to key projects, implementing new HR initiatives, and addressing strategic people challenges.
• Leverage data insights and people metrics to diagnose trends, shape recommendations, and inform decision‑making in partnership with the CXM HR Team.
• Lead on complex Employee Relations cases and provide expert advice to People Leaders across performance management, disciplinaries, grievances, and capability issues.
• Build trusted, influential relationships across the business, using data such as performance, engagement, absence, and retention to drive improved people and business outcomes.
• Own the delivery of HR projects, ensuring outputs are delivered on time, within scope and budget, and contribute positively to colleague engagement.
• Create and deliver training for business stakeholders, this will be a combination of in‑person and online facilitation
• Provide second‑line support for escalated HR queries from the HR Operations team, ensuring clarity, consistency, and appropriate escalation to the HR Business Partner or HR Director where required.
• Line management of HR Advisor within immediate team
• Champion a culture of positive change, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the Service Line, acting as a visible advocate for progressive people practices

What you'll bring

• Significant experience in an HR Advisory/Senior HR Advisory role, including ownership of complex employee relations matters and coaching senior stakeholders.
• Solid understanding of key HR centre of excellence processes, including Talent Development, Engagement, Reward and Benefits. Demonstrates strong business acumen with the confidence and initiative to identify opportunities and drive positive change.
• Thrives in fast‑paced environments, delivering proactive, timely and effective HR support.
• Applies sound judgement, intellectual agility and a collaborative approach to problem solving.
• Strong analytical capability, including advanced Excel skills and the ability to interpret and derive insights from data.
• Well‑rounded HR generalist with experience across the full employee lifecycle.
• Passionate about people engagement, confident and pragmatic in building relationships
• CIPD Level qualified, working towards CIPD Level 7, or equivalent experience
• Previous People management experience or a demonstrable ability to coach and develop others

What success looks like

• Trusted HR partner to CXM (Merkle) leaders.
• Effective management of complex ER activity.
• Successful delivery of key People Plan initiatives.
• Positive stakeholder feedback and engagement outcomes.
• Development and support of the HR Advisor.

What we offer

• This is a 12-month Maternity Cover role. The team is based from our London office on a hybrid working basis.
• From company‑funded Private Medical Insurance, a 24/7 Virtual GP and a generous sick‑pay policy, to wellbeing days, volunteering time, flexible bank‑holiday swaps and great everyday perks like retail discounts, gym access and tech schemes - we make it easier to live well, not just work well.
• Our employee‑led resource groups have helped shape policies that genuinely matter: enhanced maternity, paternity and carers leave, extended sick leave, menopause and baby‑loss support, plus 10 fertility treatment days. Combined with life assurance, income protection, financial education tools and flexible savings options, you'll find a workplace that invests in you - your health, your family, your future.

About Dentsu

Dentsu is an integrated growth and transformation partner to the world's leading organisations. Founded in 1901 in Tokyo, Japan, and now operating in approximately 120 countries and r