Employee Relations Director London, England

About WPP MediaWPP 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 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 A Leading WPP Media BrandRole Summary and ImpactThe Director, Employee Relations EMEA manages a Senior Manager, Employee Relations EMEA,being accountable for Employee Relations WPP Media. You will have a wide-ranging brief tomaintain and develop effective working relationships across the wider People community,creating a trust-based, high-performing culture that drives consistent delivery across yourbusiness area. This role is central to supporting the broader business in all areas of Peopleteams.The Director, Employee Relations, WPP Media, is responsible for providing expert guidanceand directly handling employee relations matters across the EMEA region. This role ensures fairand respectful treatment of employees by advising and supporting employees, managers, andPeople Partners (HRBPs) on a broad range of escalated employment issues. The Director,Employee Relations conducts thorough investigations, provides recommendations, upskilling inthe wider people team, and mitigates risks to the organization while ensuring compliance withrelevant employment laws and regulations within the EMEA region.Skills and ExperienceAt 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 Growthand Development to Mobilize the Enterprise.ResponsibilitiesInterpret and apply understanding of corporate policies and practices, relevantemployment laws and regulations across the EMEA region, and other relevantregulations to provide advice, guidance, or clarification for Employee Relationsinquiries.Conduct HR investigations, including gathering and analyzing facts, applying relevantlaws, policies, and best practices to reach conclusions, recommend, and influencemanagement actions.Manage complex, high-risk, and sensitive investigations, ensuring fair and consistenttreatment/approach across different cultural and legal contexts within EMEA.Navigate the organizational implications of investigations with key stakeholders througha balance of directness, objectivity, and compassion.Consider all facts to satisfactorily resolve matters for employees while mitigatingbroader risks to the organization.Partner with the WPP Legal, as necessary.Maintain required documentation, including intake and investigative notes, supportingdocuments, and final reports within the case management system.Help design and deliver training for employees, managers, and the People team thatensures compliance with relevant legislative changes and guide ER best practicesspecific to the EMEA region.Identify strategies to enhance the employee relations capabilities of our managerswithin the EMEA context, considering regional differences.Ensure use of the ER Tracker across all markets in the region, report, and analyse casetrends utilising a case management system, providing insights into regional variationsand trends.Collaborate effectively with other People functions and Centres of Value, includingTalent Acquisition, Compensation, Payroll, Organisational Development & Growth, DEI,and Data & Analytics.Build strong relationships with key stakeholders across the organisation.Stay up to date on best practices and trends in employee relations and employmentlaw across the EMEA region.Live a client-centric mindset ensuring that we deliver exceptional service and buildstrong relationships with our key clients both internally and externally.Live the One WPP Media mindset providing support where required across the organisation.Qualifications:Senior management level experience in Employee Relations, including experienceleading and conducting investigations, preferably with EMEA-wide responsibilities.Experience identifying, diagnosing, and resolving complex issues in a human, unbiased,and legally compliant manner, across different cultural and legal contexts.Proven ability to provide expertise, consultation, guidance, and coaching to managers,people team, to address employee behavior and performance concerns.Strong understanding of employment laws and regulations across key EMEA countries(e.g., UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, CEE, Nordics).Ability to handle confidential information in a professional manner and appropriatelyescalate issues.Strong communication, interpersonal, and persuasion skills.Ability to convey ideas and recommendations in a clear, compelling, and succinct way(written and verbal).Ability to establish influential partnerships working with peers, senior leaders, andacross organizational lines.Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.Exceptional judgment, active listening, and critical thinking skills.Comfortable working with data to analyse key metrics to uncover trends and rootcauses.CIPD qualification desirable, or equivalent HR certification relevant to the EMEA region.Fluency in English is essential. Additional European languages are highly desirable.Life at WPP Media & BenefitsOur 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 read our Privacy Notice (more information on how we process the information you provide.While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-07-12