Director, People Partner (12 Month FTC)

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. Connected through WPP Open and powered by Open Intelligence, clients see exactly where, how, and why their media investment is working.

For more information, visit wppmedia.com.

6907 - Director, People Partner (12 Month FTC)

About WPP Media

WPP Media, part of WPP, is WPP’s global media collective. In a world where media is everywhere and in everything, we bring the best platform, people, and partners together to create limitless opportunities for growth. For more information, visit wppmedia.com

At WPP Media, we believe in the power of our culture and our people. It’s what elevates us to deliver exceptional experiences for both our clients and each other. In this role it will be critical to embrace WPP & WPP Media’s shared core values:

• Be Extraordinary by Leading Collectively to Inspire transformational Creativity.

• Create an Open environment by Balancing People and Client Experiences by Cultivating Trust.

• Lead Optimistically by Championing Growth and Development to Mobilize the Enterprise.

Role Summary & Impact

As Director, People Partner for Europe, reporting to the Regional Executive Director, People, WPP Media, you will serve as a strategic People leader and trusted advisor for our Data, Technology & Analytics (DT&A) and Media Management & Delivery (MM&D) teams across the European markets. This is a 1-year fixed-term contract covering a maternity leave.

You will play a critical role in partnering with senior stakeholders and people leads across European markets to drive the people strategy, ensuring we attract, retain, and develop exceptional talent within these specialized and rapidly evolving functions. You'll act as a trusted advisor and coach for leadership within DT&A and MM&D and their respective people teams, spearheading the people strategy tied to their employee value proposition and business objectives.

You will provide expert guidance and support as well as collaborate with in-market People teams on all people-related matters, including but not limited to talent management, organizational development, employee relations, compensation, and performance management. This role requires close collaboration with Centres of Value within regional and global WPP Media teams to ensure alignment and effective delivery of People programs and services. This is a high-impact opportunity to shape our culture and develop our talent within key strategic areas for WPP Media across Europe.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Partnership:

• Serve as a strategic business partner to leadership within the Data, Technology & Analytics (DT&A) and Media Management & Delivery (MM&D) functions across Europe, supporting local people teams in understanding their business goals, challenges, and opportunities, driving alignment and success across employee populations.

• Develop and implement people strategies that align with business objectives of DT&A and MM&D and drive organizational performance across Europe.

• Provide expert advice and counsel on all people-related matters, including organizational design, talent acquisition, performance management, compensation, employee relations, and leadership development, specific to the DT&A and MM&D employee populations.

• Anticipate future workforce needs for these functions and proactively develop solutions to address them within the European context.

Team Management:

• Mentor a small team of People Partner/s, fostering a high-performing and collaborative environment within the region for this population.

• Provide coaching and guidance to team members on complex people issues.

• Set clear expectations, provide regular feedback, and give input to performance reviews, where required.

• Promote a culture of continuous learning and development within the team.

Talent Management:

• Implement and support markets with talent management programs specific to DT&A and MM&D, including succession planning, leadership development, and employee development for your employee population within these functions, working in collaboration with local in-market people teams on such initiatives as and when needed.

• Identify and develop high-potential employees within DT&A and MM&D.

• Work with the Regional Talent Acquisition Leads, Regional Resource Management Leads and local markets to ensure effective recruitment, onboarding and mobility processes for DT&A and MM&D roles, as necessary.

• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives to create a welcoming and inclusive workplace across these European teams.

Organisational Development:

• Assist with organizational design and change management initiatives to improve organizational effectiveness within DT&A and MM&D functions across Europe.

Employee Relations:

• Provide guidance and support to managers on employee relations issues, ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations across European markets.

• A point of escalation for the team and managing high profiles cases.

• At times lead on high level Employee Relations cases to resolve conflicts and issues that arise, partnering closely with the Employee Relations Centre of Value and local market teams.

Compensation & Benefits:

• In partnership with the Regional Compensation team, provide guidance to managers and in-market teams on compensation decisions for DT&A and MM&D employees and hiring decisions.

Performance Management:

• Ensure that performance management is aligned with business objectives and that ongoing conversations are happening across your DT&A and MM&D employee population in Europe, collaborating as needed across the in-market People teams to understand key trends within their market DT&A and MM&D teams.

• Provide coaching and support as needed to assist in-market people teams & regional leadership teams with performance conversations.

Data & Analytics:

• Partner closely with the People Data & Analytics Centre of Value to use data to inform decision-making and communicate with the business stakeholders in DT&A and MM&D.

Business Partnership Focus:

• Live a business-centric mindset, ensuring exceptional service and building strong relationships with key internal stakeholders within DT&A, MM&D, and across the European markets.

Collaboration:

• Collaborate effectively with other People functions in markets as well as Centres of Value Globally and Regionally within WPP Media, including Talent Acquisition, Compensation, Payroll & Benefits, Organisational Development & Growth, DEI, Employee Relations, Data & Analytics, and People Operations.

• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders across the organization.

• Live the One WPP Media mindset providing support where required across the organization and participating in key People projects and initiatives.

Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with local European laws and regulations, ensuring implementation of changes to the team and business.

• Stay up-to-date on best practices and trends in HR and employment law across Europe.

Skills and Experience

The Director, People Partner requires someone with strong influencing skills who is empathetic and connects easily with people across diverse European cultures and specialized functions (DT&A, MM&D). Moreover, you have the following qualifications:

• Relevant progressive working experience from operational to strategic People consulting, business partnering and/or management roles, with a proven track record across multi-country European teams.

• Demonstrable experience supporting Data, Technology & Analytics and/or Media Management & Delivery functions is highly desirable.

• Proven success in driving execution in a global or multi-country European matrixed environment is critical.

• Experience managing a fixed-term contract or maternity cover role, demonstrating an understanding of the unique dynamics and requirements of such assignments.

• Professional HR qualifications are beneficial but not essential.

• Possess knowledge and ability to ensure all actions are in compliance with appropriate employment laws, company policies and sound business practice across Europe.

• Strong, impactful leadership and coaching skills.

• Fluency in written and verbal English. Due to the international character of the organisation there will be some travelling required for this role.

Life at WPP Media & Benefits

Our passion for shaping the next era of media includes investing in our employees to help them do their best work, and we’re just as committed to employee growth as we are to responsible media investment. WPP Media employees can tap into the global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, grow their networks, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising. We have a variety of employee resource groups and host frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our benefits include competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision, and dental insurance, significant paid time off, preferential partner discounts, and employee mental health awareness days.

WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to 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.

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While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

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