Senior People Manager (Fixed Term Contract)

Contract: 12-month FTC (Maternity Cover) Start date October (TBC)

Hybrid Policy: 3 days in the office 2 days remote

Location: London

WHO WE ARE

We are RAPP world leaders in activating growth with precision and empathy at scale.

As a global next-generation precision marketing agency we leverage data creativity technology and empathy to foster client growth. We champion individuality in the marketing solutions we create and in our workplace. We fight for solutions that adapt to the individuals needs beliefs behaviours and aspirations.

We foster an inclusive workplace that emphasizes personal well-being.

THE ROLE

We are seeking an experienced proactive commercially minded Senior People Manager to join our People Team and lead a blend of strategic business partnering responsibilities and high-impact HR operations. This role will be pivotal in driving both the day-to-day operational excellence of the People function and delivering strategic initiatives that foster a positive high-performance culture.

As a trusted partner to department leaders across the agency youll provide expert guidance on employee relations organisational design and people strategy while also ensuring core HR processes run seamlessly. Youll lead and coach a small team assisting with critical annual cycles and champion employee engagement and experience.

Key Responsibilities

Business Partnering & Employee Relations

• Act as a strategic HR partner to department leads advising on organisational planning team development and workforce strategy.
• Manage complex employee relations cases providing expert solutions-focused guidance to leaders while ensuring fair and compliant processes.
• Oversee immigration and visa compliance processes acting as escalation point for complex cases.

HR Operations & Process Excellence

• Work with People Director to deliver annual HR cycles including salary reviews talent mapping and performance review processes ensuring alignment with business goals and market benchmarks.
• Launch and coordinate the annual employee engagement survey providing analysis and actionable insights to leadership via online platform Culture Amp.
• Streamline and enhance HR policies processes and structures to improve efficiency and employee experience.

Leadership & Team Management

• Line manage the People Coordinator and People Advisor holding weekly 1:1s providing mentorship and ensuring professional growth.
• Oversee and act as the escalation point for onboarding and offboarding challenges ensuring a smooth employee lifecycle experience.
• Drive a high-performance culture within the People Team ensuring the delivery of high-value people-centric support to the agency.

Strategic Projects

• Partner with the People Director to scope design and implement strategic HR projects that align with the agencys growth and cultural objectives.
• Proactively research and recommend innovative HR practices and tools to enhance organisational effectiveness.

THE OPPORTUNITY

• Equal focus on strategy and operations
• Direct influence on the employee experience
• Hands-on leadership of a small high-impact team
• Variety of work no two weeks the same
• Cultural influence in a creative people-centric environment

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Proven experience in a senior HR/People Manager role with a balance of strategic business partnering and hands-on operational delivery.
• Strong track record managing complex ER cases with professionalism and sensitivity.
• Expertise in leading annual HR cycles including performance management and reward.
• Confident with HR systems (Success Factors Culture Amp or similar) data analysis and reporting.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and build trust across all levels.
• Experience managing coaching and developing a small team.
• Up-to-date knowledge of UK employment law and best practice HR processes.

We are RAPP. And we cant wait to meet you.