Talent Operations Assistant (Entry-Level)

IPG Mediabrands is the media and marketing solutions division of Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). Mediabrands manages approximately $40 billion in marketing investment globally on behalf of its clients and provides strategic services and solutions across its award-winning, full-service agency networks UM, Initiative and Mediahub and through its innovative marketing specialist companies Kinesso, Magna, Orion, Rapport and Mediabrands Content Studio. Mediabrands clients include many of the world’s most recognisable and iconic brands from a broad portfolio of industry sectors. The company employs more than 13,000 marketing experts in more than 130 countries, representing the full diversity of humanity.

We are looking for a Talent Operations Assistant or Apprentice with superb administrative skills and a passion for HR to join our Talent Operations team. The wider Talent Operations team has two sub-teams; Payroll and Operations, which is made up of a Junior Talent Operations Advisor, Talent Operations Assistants, Talent Operations Administrator, Reward Manager, reporting into the Talent Operations Director. The Talent Operations team are responsible for all Talent operations and are critical to the evolution of our Talent model, as we look to streamline and automate the way we work. The focus of the team is to create a great people experience for employees as well as support the generalist team.

About You

You will understand the importance of confidentiality and discretion, have a service-minded approach and be happy working in a matrix structure as you will be providing administrative support for several different agencies. We work in an industry where things are continually changing and evolving so you will need to be flexible and adaptable. Working in a team where Business Partners, Talent Development, Payroll and Reward, Talent Acquisition and DEI all sit and work closely together, this is a fantastic opportunity for someone interested in refining their administration skills in the Talent space.

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate creation of offers letters of employment and contract paperwork for Talent Business Partners
• Check employees’ right to work before first day and save relevant documentation
• Administer employee references via HireRight, check and report irregularities, download and save report to relevant file
• Draft and send probation confirmation emails/letters
• Liaise with IT and Facilities to ensure starters and leavers equipment is issued and returned
• Manage personnel files, taking note of retention periods
• Collate new starter onboarding forms verifying accurate completion
• Maintain the Talent Starters and Leavers spreadsheet, ensuring it is always up to date (starters, leavers, fixed term contractors, maternity/paternity, etc).
• Send weekly Starters and Leavers to relevant groups
• Coordinate new starter inductions with Finance and Legal
• Carry out all HR Partner actions in Workday such as position management, pay and reporting line changes
• Reporting from Workday to collate and provide employee data for census and diversity surveys
• Support administration of performance management system, runs reports when needed
• Assist with the preparation of data for IPG and external HR Audits
• Keep accurate records on employees’ right to work for immigration purposes, including keeping the HR Immigration spreadsheet up to date
• Assist Talent Advisors with checking and monitoring visas during the annual immigration audit
• Monthly payroll processing; submitting payroll changes in Workday and via ADP spreadsheet, raising tickets with IPG Shared Services Payroll team, ensuring approvals are received by the payroll trial deadlines and working closely with IPG Shared Services and Talent Partners to ensure issues and corrections are resolved
• Good knowledge of our company benefits to advise employees. Working with Benefits Helpdesk and Reward Manager to resolve queries
• Running payroll variance reports and updating to capture reasons for the variances, escalating any errors to Reward Manager
• Manage the AskTalent mailbox, responding to general HR queries within the designated timeframe, including reference requests (employment references, letting agent and bank references), letters for visa applications and business invitation letters for foreign travel
• Update Employee Handbooks, including part time employee bank holiday entitlements and Christmas shutdown adjustments
• Administer pay review and bonus letters

Desired Skills & Experience

• Well-organised and looking to start your career within HR.
• Excellent attention to detail and methodical approach to problem solving.
• Understand how the work you produce adds value to the HR Department and the whole Company.
• You may have completed or are in the process of studying towards your CIPD level 3 or equivalent.
• Experience working in HR is also applicable.
• Office/admin experience, ideally within HR
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel
• Some knowledge of Office 365 applications
• Delivering against SLAs or KPIs
• Working with databases and systems
• Passionate about a career in HR and can articulate the role of HR and how it adds value to the business
• Strong aptitude for IT systems
• Confident interacting with people at all levels of seniority
• Exceptional attention to detail, rigour and process
• High regard for confidentiality
• Flexible, can adapt to manage new priorities as they arise and willing to roll sleeves up and get stuck in
• Pro-active, a self-starter who works well on their own initiative
• Solutions orientated with natural problem-solving skills
• Highly organised, efficient, and able to multi-task and remain calm under pressure
• Honest and open
• Good relationship-building skills

Employee Transparency

At IPG Mediabrands, we celebrate differences and believe this makes us stronger. IPG Mediabrands are an equal-opportunity employer committed to championing an inclusive culture that provides a sense of belonging for all our employees. We do not discriminate against any applicant based on age, disability, race, colour, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, belief, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Perks

We aim to provide all our people with a supportive and fun work environment where you can develop your full potential and benefit from the broad range of opportunities within the agency. When you join us, we want to make sure you feel valued – and that you are rewarded for your fantastic work. So, we also offer a range of benefits:

• Flexi–leave, with 25 days annual leave to be taken as minimum. In addition to your holiday entitlement, the office usually closes between Christmas & New Year
• Free breakfast and free lunch
• Early finish Fridays
• Core Hours (Mon-Thurs, flexible start/finish times)
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifices car scheme
• Interest free season ticket loan
• Paid time off for Volunteering
• Group Income Protection
• Life Assurance
• Private Medical Insurance or Health Cash Plan (dependent on level)
• Group Personal Pension Plan with matched contributions from 3-6%
• Generous Parental Leave & Pay
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free eye tests
• Flexible benefits including Dental, Travel insurance, Cycle to Work, Gym Discounts and many more!