Manager, People Partner

About WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.

About WPP Media

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients and communities. For more information, visit wpp.com.

WPP Media 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

Role Summary And Impact

The UK is the largest market within EMEA region where 4,500+ people are employed within the GroupM ecosystem. UK key clients include the likes of Amazon, BT, Tesco, Coca Cola, Bayer, Dell, Unilever, M&S, Ford, Nestle, Mazda, Danone, Colgate and Paramount.

We have a bold ambition: to make GroupM UK the undisputed leader in our industry, the place where everyone aspires to work and build a thriving career. As Manager, People Partner you will play a key role in helping to bring this vision to life; ensuring we attract, retain, and develop the very best talent in the market.

The Opportunity

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

Key Responsibilities & Competencies

Strategic HR Partnering & Advisory:

• Serves as a trusted advisor to designated stakeholders, understanding their business goals and identifying people-related risks and opportunities.
• Supports the implementation of people strategies aligned with business objectives and the "One WPP Media" culture.
• Provides expert guidance on HR matters including talent, performance, compensation, and employee relations.
• Proactively contributes to a "client-centric mindset" across internal client groups.
  
  

Talent Management & Organisational Development Support

• Works with managers to identify talent needs, skill gaps, and development opportunities, facilitating talent reviews.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Proactively builds and maintains strong, trusting relationships with key internal business stakeholders and managers.
• Strives to make HR processes and communications clear, efficient, and easily navigable for the business.
• Supports managers in communicating and implementing changes, translating leadership updates into actionable detail.
  
  

Handles privileged and sensitive information with utmost discretion and confidentiality, demonstrating integrity and resilience.

Skills And Experience

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.
  
  

The Manager, People Partner requires someone with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective partnerships with leaders and teams. You should have experience collaborating with People functions and Centres of Value to support business goals.

Moreover, you have the following qualifications:

• Experience in a Human Resources role, demonstrating the ability to partner with leadership, provide guidance, and support on people-related matters.
• Demonstrated experience in supporting core HR functions, including talent management programs, employee relations, performance management, compensation guidance, and assisting with organisational development initiatives.
• Strong communication, influencing, and coaching skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships and provide guidance to leaders and employees at all levels.
• Proven knowledge and ability to ensure compliance with UK employment laws and regulations, company policies, and sound HR practices.
• Experience using HR data to inform decision-making and collaborating with analytics teams.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional People teams (e.g., Talent Acquisition, Compensation, DEI, Employee Relations, People Operations) and key stakeholders across a large organisation.

A client-centric mindset, focused on delivering exceptional service and building strong internal relationships.

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 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

Please read our Privacy Notice (https://www.wppmedia.com/pages/privacy-policy) for more information on how we process the information you provide.

Please read our Privacy Notice for more information on how we process the information you provide.