HR Director

HR Director

Full-Time 80000 - 100000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
NBC Universal

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead HR strategies for a dynamic international production team in London.
  • Company: Join NBCUniversal, a global leader in media and entertainment.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for community engagement.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of entertainment while fostering creativity and talent.
  • Qualifications: Proven HR leadership experience with a passion for creative environments.
  • Other info: Be part of a collaborative team that values diversity and innovation.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 ÂŁ per year.

Universal Television Entertainment is responsible for world‑class television entertainment. The division programs and markets content across leading entertainment brands Bravo, NBC and Peacock, and produces over 3,000 hours of television annually through Universal Studio Group, the studio business comprised of Universal Television, UCP, Universal International Studios and Universal Television Alternative Studio. Together, these teams align NBCUniversal’s content and production expertise to inspire global audiences with television that entertains and shapes culture.

We are looking for an experienced HR Director to serve as the HR leader for the Universal International Studios team based in London, with additional responsibility supporting our portfolio of international production companies. Reporting to the VP, Human Resources (Los Angeles), this position is high‑impact and high‑visibility. You will operate as the HR leader on the ground in London — trusted to act with significant autonomy while remaining closely connected to and aligned with the broader global HR organisation. You will sit at the heart of a dynamic, production‑led business, partnering daily with Studio and Production leadership teams to influence decisions that shape our business. You will be a strategic advisor, thought partner, and coach to senior leaders — guiding them through moments of growth, change, and complexity, and ensuring the people strategy enables both creative ambition and commercial success.

Success in this position requires confidence navigating ambiguity, comfort operating in grey areas, and the judgment to balance local business realities with global frameworks. Highly collaborative by nature, you will lead a team of HR professionals, foster strong cross‑functional partnerships, and play an active role in the global HR leadership community. Above all, you will help build environments where creativity thrives, leaders perform at their best, and people feel connected, supported, and inspired to do their best work.

Key Responsibilities
  • Strategic HR & Planning: Act as the HR leader for Universal International Studios in London, providing strategic HR leadership and independent decision‑making while collaborating closely with the VP of HR in Los Angeles. Develop and deliver people strategies that support Studio and Production business priorities across international markets, ensuring alignment with broader global HR principles. Partner closely with executive and senior leaders to shape culture, enable high performance, and drive organisational effectiveness in a creative, production‑led environment. Operate effectively in complex and evolving business contexts, using sound judgment to navigate grey areas and competing priorities.
  • Leadership & Culture: Partner with leaders to design and implement organisational structures that support growth, creative excellence, and operational effectiveness across Studios and Production entities. Lead cultural and engagement initiatives that reflect both the creative nature of the business and Universal’s values, adapting approaches to local and regional contexts. Leverage employee data, feedback, and insights to inform decision‑making and continuously improve the employee experience. Collaborate with cross‑functional partners to ensure belonging is embedded in ways of working and leadership expectations. Lead a team of HR employees to execute across business plans while supporting individual growth and development. Be a valued and active partner to the EVP Studio, forming a part of the UIS SLT and leading by example across the International teams.
  • Talent Management & Recruitment: Own workforce planning, talent identification, and succession planning for the International Studio team and supported production companies. Partner with Talent Development and Learning teams to create meaningful development pathways for creative, production, and corporate talent. Coach and advise leaders and employees at all levels, providing thoughtful, pragmatic guidance that balances empathy with business needs. Support hiring initiatives in partnership with Talent Acquisition, ensuring strong selection, onboarding, and integration practices globally.
  • Employee Relations: Lead complex and high‑risk employee relations matters, applying strong employment law knowledge and sound judgment to deliver fair, timely, and appropriate outcomes. Serve as a trusted advisor to leaders on sensitive people issues, conflict resolution, performance management, and change management. Identify themes and trends across employee relations matters and proactively address root causes through leader capability building and process improvement. Partner closely with Employment Legal, global HR colleagues, and external advisors as needed. Work closely with global HR partners to ensure consistency, collaboration, and best practice sharing. Be an active member of the local NBCU UK HR community, sharing information and contributing to joined team initiatives. Balance global consistency with local nuance, ensuring solutions are practical, relevant, and culturally informed.
Qualifications Skills and Experience
  • Proven experience at HR Director or equivalent senior level, with a strong track record of partnering with Executive and Senior Leadership teams.
  • Demonstrated ability to operate independently as the senior HR leader within a location or market, while effectively reporting into a remote global leader.
  • Extensive experience navigating complex people situations, ambiguity, and competing stakeholder interests with confidence and credibility.
  • Strong background supporting creative, studio, media, or production‑led environments across multiple geographies.
  • Deep knowledge of UK employment law, with experience managing complex ER cases, change programmes, and organisational transformation.
  • Proven success working within a highly matrixed, global organisation, collaborating across time zones and business functions.
  • Exceptional relationship‑building, influencing, and communication skills, with the ability to flex style across cultures and seniority levels.
  • Strategic thinker with the ability to balance long‑term people strategy with hands‑on execution.
  • Highly organized, solution‑oriented, and resilient, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple complex priorities.
  • A genuine passion for the “human” side of HR — empathetic, thoughtful, and committed to creating environments where creative talent and teams can thrive.

All applicants must be able to provide documentation to prove they are able to work in the United Kingdom. The responsibilities associated with this position are not limited to the above description and may be modified at any time by the Company.

HR Director employer: NBC Universal

At NBCUniversal, we pride ourselves on being a leading employer in the media and entertainment industry, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. Based in London, our HR Director role provides an exceptional opportunity to influence and shape the people strategy within a dynamic production environment, while benefiting from our commitment to employee growth, inclusivity, and community engagement. Join us to be part of a team that values innovation and supports your professional journey in a globally recognised organisation.
NBC Universal

Contact Detail:

NBC Universal Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land HR Director

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. The more people know you’re looking for an HR Director role, the better your chances of landing that dream job.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. Understand how NBCUniversal operates and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your vision for HR in a creative, production-led environment. Show them how you can influence decisions and drive organisational effectiveness while keeping creativity at the forefront.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the NBCUniversal family.

We think you need these skills to ace HR Director

Strategic HR Leadership
Employee Relations
Change Management
Talent Management
Succession Planning
Organisational Effectiveness
UK Employment Law
Relationship Building
Influencing Skills
Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Cultural Awareness
Collaboration
Attention to Detail
Resilience

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the HR Director role. Highlight your experience in strategic HR leadership and your ability to navigate complex environments. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our creative culture. Be genuine and let your personality come through.

Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've influenced decisions or improved employee experiences in previous roles. We love seeing results!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at NBC Universal

✨Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, dive deep into NBCUniversal's values and recent projects. Familiarise yourself with their culture and how they operate in the media landscape. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you align your experience with their needs.

✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking

As an HR Director, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to think strategically. Prepare examples of how you've successfully navigated complex people situations or implemented effective talent management strategies in previous roles. Be ready to discuss how you can bring that expertise to Universal International Studios.

✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills

This role requires strong cross-functional partnerships. Share specific instances where you've collaborated with senior leaders or teams to drive organisational effectiveness. Highlight your ability to adapt your communication style to different audiences, especially in a creative environment.

✨Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that assess your judgement in ambiguous situations. Think of scenarios where you've had to balance local business realities with global frameworks. Practising your responses will help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.

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