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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 Director, Employee Relations EMEA manages a Senior Manager, Employee Relations EMEA, and is accountable for Employee Relations across WPP Media. You will maintain and develop effective working relationships across the wider People community, creating a trust-based, high-performing culture that drives consistent delivery across your business area. This role supports the broader business in all areas of People teams. The Director provides expert guidance and directly handles employee relations matters across the EMEA region, ensuring fair and respectful treatment of employees by advising and supporting employees, managers, and People Partners on a broad range of escalated employment issues. The Director conducts thorough investigations, provides recommendations, upskilling the wider people team, and mitigates risks to the organization while ensuring compliance with relevant employment laws and regulations within the EMEA region.
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.
Responsibilities
* Interpret and apply understanding of corporate policies and practices, relevant employment laws and regulations across the EMEA region, to provide advice, guidance, or clarification for Employee Relations inquiries.
* Conduct HR investigations, including gathering and analyzing facts, applying relevant laws, policies, and best practices to reach conclusions, and influence management actions.
* Manage complex, high-risk, and sensitive investigations, ensuring fair and consistent treatment across different cultural and legal contexts within EMEA.
* Navigate the organizational implications of investigations with key stakeholders through a balance of directness, objectivity, and compassion.
* Consider all facts to satisfactorily resolve matters for employees while mitigating broader risks to the organization.
* Partner with the WPP Legal team as necessary.
* Maintain required documentation, including intake and investigative notes, supporting documents, and final reports within the case management system.
* Help design and deliver training for employees, managers, and the People team that ensures compliance with relevant legislative changes and guides ER best practices specific to the EMEA region.
* Identify strategies to enhance the employee relations capabilities of our managers within the EMEA context, considering regional differences.
* Ensure the use of the ER Tracker across all markets in the region, report and analyse case trends using a case management system, providing insights into regional variations and trends.
* Collaborate effectively with other People functions and Centres of Value, including Talent Acquisition, Compensation, Payroll, Organisational Development & Growth, DEI, and Data & Analytics.
* Build strong relationships with key stakeholders across the organization.
* Stay up to date on best practices and trends in employee relations and employment law across the EMEA region.
* Maintain a client-centric mindset, delivering exceptional service and building strong relationships with internal and external clients.
* Live the One WPP Media mindset by providing support where required across the organization.
Qualifications
* Senior management level experience in Employee Relations, including experience leading and conducting investigations, preferably with EMEA-wide responsibilities.
* Experience 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 and the 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 professionally and appropriately escalate issues.
* Strong communication, interpersonal, and persuasion skills; ability to convey ideas clearly in writing and verbally.
* Ability to establish influential partnerships with peers, senior leaders, and across organizational lines.
* Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail; exceptional judgment, active listening, and critical thinking skills.
* Comfortable working with data to analyze key metrics to uncover trends and root causes. 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 & Benefits
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. We support employee growth and provide access to networks, ERGs, and frequent events. We are an equal opportunity employer and foster a culture of respect where everyone belongs and has opportunities to progress.
We have a hybrid work approach with in-office presence around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss with the hiring team during the interview process.
Please read our Privacy Notice for more information on how we process the information you provide. The notice is available at: wppmedia.com/pages/privacy-policy.
While we appreciate all applications, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Seniority level: Director
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Human Resources
Industries: Advertising Services
WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect and opportunity for all.
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