At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead our people strategy, support managers, and champion culture and wellbeing.
- Company: Join a diverse team at Southpaw, part of a global advertising group.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, creative environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with no two weeks the same and a supportive team atmosphere.
- Why this job: Shape company culture and make a real impact in a growing agency.
- Qualifications: Solid HR experience, creativity, and a passion for diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
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. We've driven brand growth for challenger brands across the beauty, premium drinks, lifestyle and entertainment sectors - helping them shift behaviours, build communities, spark conversation, and shape culture. We are also part of the global and award-winning advertising group, Hakuhodo, headquartered in Tokyo.
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
- 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.
People and Culture Manager in Royal Tunbridge Wells employer: Southpaw
At Southpaw, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that champions creativity and collaboration. As a People and Culture Manager, you'll have the opportunity to shape our talent strategies while working in a dynamic environment that values personal growth and well-being. With a commitment to diversity and a focus on employee development, Southpaw offers a unique chance to make a meaningful impact within a global advertising group based in Tunbridge Wells.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land People and Culture Manager in Royal Tunbridge Wells
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current employees at Southpaw. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Show your personality! When you get an interview, let your passion for culture and people shine through. Share your ideas on how to enhance workplace vibes and make it a fun place to be.
✨Tip Number 3
Do your homework! Research Southpaw’s values and recent projects. Tailor your conversation to show how your experience aligns with their mission of building communities and sparking conversations.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Southpaw team.
We think you need these skills to ace People and Culture Manager in Royal Tunbridge Wells
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your passion for people and culture shine through! We want to see how your values align with ours and how you can contribute to our vibrant team.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of People and Culture Manager. Highlight your relevant experience in HR, recruitment, and employee engagement, and don’t forget to sprinkle in some examples of your creative flair!
Be Authentic:We love authenticity! In your cover letter, share your unique perspective on what makes a great workplace and how you can help us foster a positive culture at Southpaw. Be yourself – we want to get to know the real you!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
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 work in the beauty, drinks, and entertainment sectors. This will help you align your experience with their mission and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your HR Skills
Be ready to discuss your HR experience in detail, especially in a small or growing business. Prepare examples of how you've handled employee relations, recruitment, and performance management. Highlight your ability to balance detail with the bigger picture, as this is crucial for the People and Culture Manager role.
✨Bring Ideas to the Table
Think about how you can contribute to Southpaw's culture and wellbeing initiatives. Come prepared with ideas for celebrating team achievements or promoting mental health awareness. This shows that you're proactive and ready to engage with their internal social committee, The Vibe.
✨Demonstrate Your DEI Passion
Since diversity, equity, and inclusion are key aspects of the role, be prepared to discuss your understanding and experience in these areas. Share any initiatives you've been part of and express your enthusiasm for championing DEI within the agency. If you have insights on B Corp certification, definitely mention that too!
