Senior Manager, People Partner (Parental Leave Cover)

About WPP Media

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships – all united by our pioneering agentic marketing platform, WPP Open – we help clients navigate change, capture opportunity, and deliver transformational growth. WPP Media is WPP's AI-driven media operating unit, bringing together media, data, and partnerships to deliver creative personalisation at scale.

Role Summary and Impact

As Senior Manager, People Partner, you'll act as a trusted partner to leadership, providing expert guidance and support on people-related matters, including talent management, organizational development, employee relations, compensation, and performance management. The Senior Manager will work closely with Centres of Value to ensure alignment and effective delivery of People programs and services. This is a significant opportunity to contribute to our culture and develop our talent.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Partnership: Serve as a partner to leadership understanding their business goals, challenges, and opportunities. Support the implementation of people strategies that align with business objectives and drive organizational performance. Provide guidance on people-related matters, including talent acquisition, performance management, compensation, employee relations, and development.
• Talent Management: Support the implementation of talent management programs, including succession planning, leadership development, and employee development for your employee population. Identify and support the development of high-potential employees. Work with the Talent Acquisition team to ensure effective recruitment and onboarding processes. Support diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives to create a welcoming and inclusive workplace.
• Organizational Development: Assist with organizational design and change management initiatives to improve organizational effectiveness.
• Employee Relations: Provide guidance and support to managers on employee relations issues, ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Conduct investigations into employee complaints and resolve conflicts, partnering closely with the Employee Relations Centre of Value.
• Compensation & Benefits: In partnership with the Compensation team, provide guidance to managers on compensation decisions. Communicate compensation and benefits programs to employees.
• Performance Management: Support the performance management process, ensuring alignment with business objectives and ongoing conversations across your employee population. Provide support as needed to assist with performance management conversations.
• Data & Analytics: Partner closely with the Data & Analytics Centre of Value to use data to inform decision-making and communicate with the business.
• Client Focus: Live a client-centric mindset ensuring that we deliver exceptional service and build strong relationships with our key clients both internally and externally. Partner with our Client teams, as needed, to support with people related aspects, including, but not limited to, participation in client meetings, onboarding new client teams or addressing employee concerns.
• Collaboration: Collaborate effectively with other People functions and Centres of Value, including Talent Acquisition, Compensation, Payroll, Organisational Development & Growth, DEI, Employee Relations, Data & Analytics, and People Operations. Build strong relationships with key stakeholders across the organization. Live the One GroupM mindset providing support where required across the organization and participating in key People projects and initiatives.
• Compliance: Ensure compliance with local laws and regulations. Stay up-to-date on best practices and trends.

Skills and Experience

The Senior Manager, People Partner requires someone with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective partnerships with leaders and teams. You should have experience supporting a diverse workforce and working with people centres of excellence to deliver business goals. Moreover, you have the following qualifications:

• Progressive experience in business partnering, with a focus on operational and strategic responsibilities.
• Preferably experience and affinity with Media, IT, Data and/or Technology companies.
• Experience in areas such as employee relations, performance management, compensation, and talent development.
• Experience of supporting change management initiatives, with a focus on improving organizational effectiveness and driving business transformation.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to support leadership and coach teams at all levels.
• Possess knowledge and ability to ensure all actions are in compliance with appropriate employment laws, company policies and sound business practice.

Life at WPP Media & Benefits

• Competitive medical
• Group retirement plans
• Vision
• Dental insurance
• Significant paid time off
• Preferential partner discounts
• Employee mental health awareness days

WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers. We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

Please note this is a UK based role and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location.