HR ADVISOR - L&D SPECIALIST

THE OPPORTUNITY: Medialab are the UK’s leading independent media planning, buying and data agency. As we continue our incredible growth journey, we want to ensure we have the ability to scale seamlessly while maintaining the core values that have successfully guided us so far - which all starts with our people. We are hiring for a newly created HR Advisor role, to join our best-in-class HR Team. Reporting to the Head of HR, this role will work alongside a Senior HR Advisor, with the support of a shared HR Coordinator, leading day-to-day running of HR Operations & ER, supporting on a variety of projects and talent initiatives along the way. Medialab are proudly recognised by the IPA with a Platinum accreditation in CPD and Learning & Development. We invest heavily in our teams' personal development, training and progression - a learning culture which has been embedded from day one. The new HR Advisor would have a key focus on leading and implementing key L&D initiatives, including ownership of our annual training plans and mentoring programme, partnering with managers to support team development, continue building a high-performing team and promote our culture of continuous learning, encouraging personal and professional development across the organisation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• HR Operations
  • Manage the end-to-end employee lifecycle for relevant business units, including onboarding, pay increases, promotions, reviews, and exit interviews, ensuring smooth, efficient & effective processes.
  • Support employee wellbeing, mental health initiatives, benefits, and employee engagement projects.
  • Contribute to maintaining cultural initiatives and accreditations such as IPA People First and Campaign's Best Places to Work.
  • Collaborate on updating and sharing company policies with the Head of HR and ensure compliance.
  • Support HR operational projects to enhance HR technologies, processes, and ways of working for greater efficiency.
• Employee Relations
  • Manage Employee Relations cases, offering support and advisory guidance to employees and managers.
  • Work with Head of HR in managing more complex ER cases, including grievances and disciplinary procedures.
  • Coach managers on performance management processes and handling difficult conversations.
  • Oversee maternity, paternity, adoption, and shared parental leave cases, providing proactive support.
• Learning & Development
  • Lead the formulation of 'Medialab University' by centralising and managing companywide training programmes across all teams.
  • Identify and address skills gaps by recommending relevant training partners and courses.
  • Lead the schedule of 'Lunch & Learn Labs' and company meetings, sourcing engaging content and external trainers.
  • Develop and implement entry-level training programmes, collaborating with discipline leads and external media partners.
  • Manage and continually improve Medialab’s internal mentorship programme, matching mentors/mentees and tracking progress and success.
  • Promote external DEI mentorship opportunities and work with DEI experts to deliver training around inclusion and mental health.
  • Deliver internal workshops and Line Management training in collaboration with wider HR team.
  • Assess training feedback, making recommendations for further improvements, and addressing any gaps.
• Team Management / Coaching
  • Indirect management of HR Coordinator - coaching and developing them to ensure efficient HR administration and employee lifecycle management.
  • Support continuous development and training of the HR Coordinator and the wider HR team.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

• Technical:
  • Proven experience in HR Advisory / Employee Relations role, ideally within a similar media/marketing/creative/data driven business.
  • Experience in planning and executing companywide training programmes, with a passion for L&D.
  • Intermediate level of employment law knowledge.
  • Process driven approach, experienced in using HRIS and applicant tracking systems.
  • Expert in MS Outlook for diary management and scheduling tools.
  • Intermediate skills in PowerPoint and Excel.
  • Competent in data analysis, able to interpret, present, and extract actionable insights.
  • Understanding of IR35, visa, and immigration regulations, keeping up-to-date with changes.
  • Ideally CIPD Level 5 qualified.
• Personal:
  • Clear, concise communication skills, both written and verbal.
  • Excellent attention to detail with strong organisational abilities to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
  • Adaptable and resilient in a fast-paced, changing environment.
  • Trusted to handle confidential information with integrity.
  • Positive, proactive approach, always seeking solutions and anticipating team/business needs.
  • Able to build successful working relationships at all levels, up to Board, with a professional and approachable manner.
  • Strong problem-solving and project management skills, independently leading initiatives.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM US: Working at Medialab comes with lots of perks including all the usual things you would expect, such as a competitive salary package, pension, season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, weekly social events and big summer / end of year parties. On top of that, we offer extra incentives which make life at Medialab even more rewarding: 25 days holiday (plus office closure between Christmas and New Year), Birthday day off, Mental Health Awareness Day off, Holiday buying scheme, Hybrid working between office and home, Flexi-hours, Work abroad scheme, Private Medical Insurance, Health Cash Plan, Life Assurance, Discounted Gym Membership & Retail discounts, Quarterly reviews to enhance career progression, Professional development and training - CPD Platinum accreditation by the IPA, Internal mentoring programme, Membership to Bloom and bespoke mentorship for female talent, A long weekend/week away at Medialab’s expense for long service, Charity volunteering days fully paid, Free access to Health and Wellbeing Apps, Free professional counselling, Access to Mental Health Allies, Industry leading enhanced parental leave pay for new parents.

WHO WE ARE: Medialab is the UK’s leading independent media agency, and one of the fastest growing. We’re a media agency that’s made differently. Purpose-led, data-driven, founder-run and proudly independent. Our independence means we can focus 100% on doing the right thing to secure success for our clients and our brilliant people. We work with a wide variety of clients including SunLife, Standard Life, Laithwaites Wine, EMMA, Save the Children, Mind, Guide Dogs, Alzheimer’s Society, RNLI and Clearscore. We’re a diverse team of 170 people (and growing), based near Oxford Circus. Our people-first, purpose-driven culture has been key to our success. We commit to creating a more sustainable future through our partnership with FuturePlus, and foster a diverse and inclusive culture, though a number of DEI Communities to drive real change. We offer a supportive environment for working parents, carers, those who are (peri)menopausal and anyone else who needs it, and flexible working opportunities to all, from day one. Our entrepreneurial spirit means success is rewarded and there are no limits to what you can achieve, which our employees agree with, by supporting our place in Campaign’s ‘Best Places to work’ for 6 years in a row, and we recently placed In The Sunday Times Best Places to Work.