HR Business Partner - 12 Month Maternity Leave Cover in London

Kekst CNC is a global strategic communications firm that specializes in protecting and enhancing reputations. From 15 offices around the globe, our team of over 300 professionals provides expert communications counsel, informed by judgment, insights and data‑led analysis. We apply our communications expertise across high‑stakes corporate, financial, and political matters, helping businesses communicate effectively through periods of disruption, transformation and growth.

We are looking for a driven and self‑motivated HR Business Partner to support our growing and ambitious organisation. If you have a strong background in HR operations and recruitment and are looking for a new challenge, this could be an exciting opportunity for you.

You will be part of Kekst CNC’s global HR Team, working closely with the London‑based HR Advisor and report directly to the Head of Employee Engagement based in Dubai. This is a varied role that requires flexibility, strong attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities with both speed and accuracy. Alongside supporting local HR activity, you will also have the opportunity to contribute to global HR projects, initiatives and policies, helping shape the future of the firm.

To be successful in this role, you should have experience independently managing broad HR operations, ideally across the full employee lifecycle as well as end‑to‑end recruitment processes. You will play a key role in ensuring the smooth running of day‑to‑day HR operations and will act as a main point of contact for employees in London. While supported by the Head of Employee Engagement, you will be expected to work independently, take initiative, and approach challenges in a proactive and solution‑oriented way.

Responsibilities

• Providing hands‑on support and guidance to all employees, managers, and senior stakeholders across the business.
• Managing the recruitment processes for London including drafting and posting job adverts, selection, and tracking of applications, liaising with candidates, hiring managers and external recruitment partners.
• Scheduling interviews and tasks, conducting first‑level screening, and participating on interview panels.
• Overseeing the HR Advisor in administration for all elements of the employee lifecycle locally.
• Ensuring local HR processes run smoothly and are effectively designed.
• Supporting implementation of global HR policies/programmes/processes in your local market.
• Managing contact with the Publicis shared service centre, covering topics such as employment contracts, payroll, benefits, employment law and IT.
• Contributing to innovation, continuous improvement and the implementation of best practices in all HR processes – Employer Branding, Talent Attraction, Recruiting, Onboarding, Development, Compensation, Performance Management, Employee Services and Retention.
• Ad‑hoc administrative duties, project assistance and reporting as required.

Qualifications

• Previous professional HR experience in a generalist capacity, including talent acquisition.
• A passion for people and everything relating to the employee experience, including culture and DEI.
• A curiosity about data and the ability to collect, analyse and report regularly.
• A growth mindset and an ability to demonstrate curiosity and a commitment to learning and development.
• An ability to quickly build strong and credible working relationships across the business.
• Proven track record of having business acumen and commercial understanding to enable you to effectively support stakeholders.
• Be organised and able to demonstrate a strong track record in meeting deadlines while maintaining great attention to detail.
• The ability to take responsibility and work independently.
• Excellent spoken and written English.
• Proficiency in MS office including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Proficient and curious in using AI‑powered tools, such as Microsoft Copilot, Claude and other emerging platforms, in their day‑to‑day work.

What we offer

Kekst CNC offers an inspiring working atmosphere, characterized by the highest level of professionalism in a challenging environment, lots of fun at work and an open corporate culture where you can be yourself. We value diversity highly and are certain that we work better because of our differences and that we best serve our clients and colleagues through bringing together diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds. The London office is a sociable and dynamic workplace and continues to grow at a rapid pace. Although you will be based in London, you join an international team and assist cross‑border projects. We offer a competitive salary, private health insurance, employee assistance program, flexible public holiday policy so you can celebrate the days which are special to you without having to comprise your own holiday allowance, volunteering hours, wellbeing programme and much more!

Recruitment Process

The recruitment process will consist of several steps, such as interviews, verbal and written tests and reference checks. Please do not hesitate to let us know if any reasonable adjustments are needed during the recruitment process. We look forward to your application!

Equal Opportunity

Kekst CNC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive considerations for employment without regard to race, colour, age, religion / belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity / expression, national origin, disability, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and parental status, or any other characteristic protected under EU, state or local law, where applicable.