At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic people solutions and enhance employee relations in a dynamic agency.
- Company: Join IMA, a creative agency that values people and innovation.
- Benefits: Career growth, recognition, autonomy, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Embrace a people-first culture that encourages curiosity and courage.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global projects while developing your HR expertise.
- Qualifications: Extensive HR experience with strong relationship-building and analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
IMA is a creative agency that builds brands people want to be part of. We are looking for a passionate, driven senior people advisor to join our dynamic People team. If you are an HR professional who wants to work within a fast-paced environment to deliver first-class, strategic people solutions across a global agency, this is the perfect place to elevate your career.
What You’ll Get From Us
- Career Growth: A chance to develop your career within an award-winning, people-first creative agency.
- Recognition: A values-led culture where your contribution is recognised and supported.
- Autonomy & Support: Ownership and variety from day one, with the support of a collaborative team.
- Real Impact: The opportunity to lead projects across live campaigns, retail activations and brand experiences.
- Our Culture: A people-first environment where we challenge, grow, and deliver together.
The Role
As a Senior People Advisor, you will be fully embedded as a strategic people partner working collaboratively with key stakeholders across our global offices. This is an immersive, high-impact opportunity designed to provide effective, consistent, and first-class Employee Relations (ER) advice on a wide range of people management matters. You will act as a critical touchpoint for talent, recruitment, and employee relations, ensuring our regional teams are supported and our company frameworks thrive. In this role, you will get a 360-degree view of how our global agency aligns commercial needs with people development. You will experience the full lifecycle of employee relations and talent management—from triaging complex cases and coaching managers to elevate their leadership capabilities, to leveraging data-driven insights that address business performance gaps. It’s a space where you are encouraged to challenge conventional approaches, champion a people-led approach, and treat every challenge as a chance to drive what is right for the agency.
Key Responsibilities
- Stakeholder Engagement: Building proactive relationships with key global stakeholders to advise on current legislation, identify risk, and offer pragmatic solutions.
- Employee Relations Management: Resolving challenging situations and facilitating employee relations matters (such as grievance, disciplinary, absence, and capability investigations) to mitigate business risk.
- Talent Development & Recruitment: Coaching and upskilling line managers on employment legislation and consistent, legally compliant recruitment practices.
- Data Analysis & Reporting: Leveraging people data, tracking trends (including leaving chats and D,E&I statistics), and providing recommendations to close performance gaps.
- Policy & Compliance: Reviewing frameworks like sickness absence, ensuring company policies remain legally compliant and fit for purpose in an agency environment.
- Team Collaboration: Actively engaging in annual People activities—such as promotions, probations, performance, talent, and salary reviews—while supporting the wider People team.
- Representing: Acting in the best interest of IMA Agency and Smollan Group Companies at all times.
What We Are Looking For
The Essentials (Must-Haves)
- Experience: Extensive experience working in a similar generalist Advisor role or equivalent, with a proven track record in complex case management across ER-related issues.
- The Fundamentals: Robust working knowledge across recruitment, employee relations, onboarding, reward and recognition, health and wellbeing, learning and development, and D,E&I.
- Legal & Commercial Acumen: Up-to-date knowledge of employment law required for an Advisor level, with the ability to conclude ER matters providing commercial, pragmatic advice.
- Relationship Building: Exceptional ability to gain credibility with stakeholders, influence best-practice decision-making, and coach people managers.
- Tech‑Savvy: Highly competent with Google Suite, Microsoft Office, as well as modern people management systems.
- Workflow: Exceptionally organized with strong attention to detail, the capability to work on your own initiative, and the ability to meet strict deadlines.
- Attitude: A proactive completer‑finisher whose approach matters with absolute confidentiality and discretion, bringing a positive, approachable, and "can‑do" mindset.
- Logistics: A flexible approach with the ability to react calmly and professionally within a fast-moving, changing environment.
The Desirables (Nice‑to‑Haves)
- Experience working directly within a global agency environment or managing cross‑border stakeholder networks.
- A proven track record of designing and delivering upskilling sessions or training frameworks for recruitment compliance.
Our Values
- Curiosity: We explore it.
- Courage: We challenge it.
- Commitment: We run with it.
These principles shape how we work — with each other, with clients, and with the world.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. If this role sounds like a good fit, we’d love to hear from you.
Senior People Partner in Leeds employer: The Home Agency
IMA is an exceptional employer that prioritises a people-first culture, offering extensive career growth opportunities within a dynamic and award-winning creative agency. Employees enjoy recognition for their contributions, autonomy in their roles, and the chance to make a real impact on global projects, all while being supported by a collaborative team. With a focus on challenging conventional approaches and fostering talent development, IMA provides a vibrant work environment where every team member can thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior People Partner in Leeds
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at The Home Agency!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at The Home Agency.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior People Partner in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at The Home Agency. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to The Home Agency and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at The Home Agency. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to The Home Agency's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Home Agency
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with The Home Agency.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at The Home Agency will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact The Home Agency and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
