At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead our people strategy, support managers, and champion culture in a creative agency.
- Company: Join a diverse team at Southpaw, part of a global advertising group.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working hours, and a vibrant workplace culture.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of our agency and make a real impact on our people.
- Qualifications: HR experience, creativity, and a passion for culture and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
Location: Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Salary: £50k pro rata
Type: Part-Time, Permanent (0.8 FTE)
About Southpaw
We’re a diverse group of creators, producers, strategists and client service pros, all united by a passion for brilliant work and a challenger mindset. Now we’re looking for a People and Culture Manager to align our talent strategies with our company values.
The Role
We are looking for a People & Culture Manager to join us four days a week, working closely with our MD, Ops Manager, and Financial Controller to ensure Southpaw remains a great place to work and that our people agenda keeps pace with our growth. This is a broad, hands-on role covering the full people function - from day-to-day HR operations through to longer-term priorities around talent, development and culture. You’ll need to be comfortable managing both the detail and the bigger picture, and confident working with a high degree of autonomy in a small, busy agency environment.
What you’ll be doing
- People & Culture
- Work with the MD and senior leadership team to evolve our people strategy as we grow
- Support and coach our managers to have better conversations, develop their teams, and handle the difficult stuff with confidence
- Lead on employee relations - being a calm, sensible, trusted voice when things get complicated
- Keep our HR policies up to date and compliant, and provide the training to the managers and employees to support them
- Oversee performance management and help us build a culture of honest, useful feedback
- Recruitment & onboarding
- Lead on hiring - from briefing to offer, working with the hiring manager and office manager on the logistics
- Work on our employer branding to ensure we’re positioned to attract the best talent
- Make sure new starters land well and feel part of the team from day one
- Learning & development
- Spot development gaps and build L&D approaches that work for a creative team
- Oversee our IPA CPD Gold accreditation, making sure we’re recognising and investing in learning across the agency
- The Vibe - Culture & wellbeing
- Get stuck into The Vibe, our internal social committee, bringing ideas and energy to how we celebrate, connect, and have fun as a team
- Think proactively about awareness moments that matter - Mental Health Awareness Week, World Inclusion Day, IWD etc and make sure we mark them in ways that feel authentic
- Champion wellbeing in a way that’s practical, visible, and welcomed by the team
- Employer Brand - Southpaw Social Club
- Work with our social media offering, Southpaw Social Club, to help tell our employer brand story - what it’s like to work here, who we are, and why people should want to join us
- Feed ideas and content angles into our social channels that showcase our culture and people
- Keep website jobs page updated and enticing
- DEI & New Business Support
- Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion across everything we do - from how we hire to how we listen
- Help us build on what we’re doing well and be honest about where we can do better
- Help pull together people and culture information when it’s needed for new business pitches - credentials, team stats, culture narrative, policies etc
- We’re interested in exploring B Corp certification, and if you’ve got experience in this space - brilliant. If not, an appetite to learn and lead on it would go a long way
What we’re looking for
- Solid HR experience, ideally including time in a small or growing business where you’ve had to be resourceful and make things happen without a big team behind you
- A genuine generalist - comfortable moving between ER advice, recruitment, policy, and culture
- Creative, media, or agency experience would be a real plus - you’ll get the pace and the personalities
- A good understanding of UK employment law and how to apply it commercially in a growing agency
- Some experience with or curiosity about DEI, employer brand, and employee engagement beyond the usual survey and away day
- B Corp knowledge or experience could be a bonus
- CIPD qualification or on the journey to being CIPD trained
Why Southpaw?
- A team that’s talented, collaborative, and takes the work seriously without taking themselves too seriously
- Real variety - no two weeks will look the same
- The chance to shape culture and be part of the conversation at a growing, global-connected independent
- Tunbridge Wells base with flexibility – Ideally this role will be onsite Monday to Thursday but there is some flexibility around this
- There could be some flexibility around the work pattern of this role - if you are looking for a 3 day week or shorter days across 5 days please get in touch
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.
Locations
People and Culture Manager in Kent, Royal Tunbridge Wells employer: Southpaw
At Southpaw, we pride ourselves on being a vibrant and inclusive workplace where creativity thrives and every voice is valued. As a People and Culture Manager, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping our dynamic culture while enjoying the benefits of a flexible part-time schedule in the picturesque setting of Tunbridge Wells. With a commitment to employee growth and well-being, we offer a collaborative environment that encourages innovation and celebrates diversity, making Southpaw an exceptional place to advance your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People and Culture Manager in Kent, Royal Tunbridge Wells
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend events, and engage on social media. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their mission. Remember, they want to see if you fit into their vibe!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online resources to refine your answers. The more comfortable you are speaking about your skills and experiences, the better you'll come across.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace People and Culture Manager in Kent, Royal Tunbridge Wells
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the People and Culture Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in HR, especially in small or growing businesses, and show how you align with our values at Southpaw.
Showcase Your Personality:We love a bit of creativity! Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your application. Share examples of how you've contributed to culture and wellbeing in previous roles – we want to see the real you!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate straightforward communication, so get straight to the good stuff!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about who we are!
How to prepare for a job interview at Southpaw
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Southpaw's values and culture. Familiarise yourself with their recent projects and how they align with your experience in HR. This will help you demonstrate that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the company.
✨Showcase Your Flexibility
As a People and Culture Manager, you'll need to juggle various responsibilities. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed multiple tasks or adapted to changing priorities in previous roles. This will show that you can thrive in a busy agency environment.
✨Prepare for Real Conversations
Expect questions about handling difficult employee relations or performance management situations. Think of specific instances where you've navigated these challenges and be prepared to discuss your approach and the outcomes. This will highlight your calm and sensible nature.
✨Bring Ideas to the Table
Southpaw values creativity and innovation. Come prepared with ideas on how to enhance their employer branding or improve team wellbeing initiatives. This shows that you're proactive and genuinely interested in contributing to their culture from day one.
