Head of People Operations & Development
SKILLS
FULL DESCRIPTION
Head of People Operations & Development
[Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] Group is the UK’s leading independent media agency. We are hiring a Head of People Operations & Development to lead the operational People function.
Location: London | Work type: Hybrid | Employment type: Full-time | Department: HR and Talent Acquisition
About [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] Group
[Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] is the UK’s leading independent media agency, purpose-led, data-driven, and founder-run. Recognised as Campaign Best Place to Work for six consecutive years, Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2025, Campaign’s Independent Agency of the Year 2024, Media Week’s Independent Agency of the Year 2025, and IPA Effectiveness accredited. Clients include Hovis, IG, Sharps Bedrooms, SunLife, Standard Life, Ancestry, Laithwaites Wine, Save the Children, Guide Dogs, Alzheimer’s Society, RNLI and Clearscore.
Your Next Challenge
Reporting to the Chief People & Culture Officer, you will take ownership of the day-to-day People function, driving operational people and process excellence across the full employee lifecycle through strong business partnership. Your analytical, data-driven approach will be crucial for optimising processes, giving you significant board-level exposure and influence.
How You Will Make an Impact
- Own the operational engine of the People function, ensuring processes from complex employee relations to payroll are efficient, scalable, compliant and commercially focused.
- Translate raw data into insightful, board-level reports to drive decision-making and ensure seamless people operations.
- Coach leaders on effective performance management and embed clear pathways for career progression.
- Lead the overarching L&D strategy by partnering with senior leaders to identify skills gaps and implement targeted initiatives.
What You Bring to the Team
Must Have Skills
- Proven track record of delivering seamless people operational and process excellence across the full employee lifecycle in a fast-growing environment.
- Strong leadership skills with experience in managing and developing a high-performing team.
- Excellent relationship-building and influencing skills, with a commercial and empathetic approach.
- Data-driven and analytical mindset, using insights to drive improvements.
- Highly organised with strong project management skills and accountability.
- Agile and adaptable, thriving in a fast-moving business environment.
- Excellent and up-to-date knowledge of UK employment law.
Nice to Have Skills
- Experience with HRIS/People systems, automation and AI.
- Experience submitting for industry learning accreditations (e.g., IPA CPD Platinum award).
- Experience working in a media, marketing or creative industry environment.
Our Commitment to You
Competitive salary package, pension, season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, weekly social events, big summer/end of year parties, 25 days holiday (+ Christmas closure), birthday day off, holiday buying scheme, flexi-hours, work abroad and cultural bank holiday swap scheme, hybrid working (3 days in office), flexible working arrangements, quarterly reviews, CPD Platinum accredited training, mentoring, private medical insurance, health cash plan, gym discounts, wellbeing apps, Mental Health First Aiders, free professional counselling, enhanced parental leave, life assurance, paid charity days, sustainability initiatives, retail discounts, long-service trips.