People Manager, Management

IMA is a creative agency that builds brands people want to be part of. We’re looking for a proactive and approachable People and Relationships Manager to provide day-to-day advice and support to our colleagues across the global business.

If you are a professional who leads by example, possesses a deep interest in the people profession, and thrives on building strong relationships, we want to hear from you.

• A working environment that champions a people first approach and balances professionalism with having fun.
• A values-led culture where your contribution is recognised, amplified and supported.
• The opportunity to lead and mentor a dedicated team of People specialists.
• The opportunity to work on global people projects, collaborating with teams across South Africa, Amsterdam, US, Dubai to name a few!

As our People and Relationships Manager, you will report to the Global People Executive. You will act as a central point of contact for the whole agency across multiple territories, providing a confidential and proactive support service whilst delivering operational excellence. You will manage members of the People team, ensuring they are committed to people company objectives, successfully delivering key transformational projects, while also providing daily guidance to managers and colleagues across the business.

• Effectively managing your team, including their recruitment, assessment, engagement, and development.
• Providing expert guidance around complex employee relations issues where needed, and proposing solutions to prevent recurrence.
• Ensuring the business has a creative and relevant induction process that works effectively across all locations.
• Reviewing final payroll documentation for accuracy and completeness before submission to Finance.
• Maintaining and recommending changes to key policies and procedures while ensuring they are followed within the business.
• Identifying and initiating necessary projects across the business and wider group, and completing them effectively and on time.
• Facilitating regular team meetings to encourage effective relationships, knowledge sharing, and smooth workflow.
• Delivering global people projects across the IMA & Smollan matrixed environment.

• 5 years+ of People experience in line with this role.
• Advanced knowledge and experience in guiding employee relations, with the ability to guide disciplinary and grievance processes.
• Awareness and working knowledge of key areas of employment law, both in the UK and in other territories such as South Africa, Dubai and the US.
• Experience working with managers to provide effective solutions to people-related issue.
• A confident project leader, with a keen eye for detail and due-diligence.

Please be aware this is based in our Leeds HQ and requires three days in the office.

We’re curious. We challenge. We commit. These principles shape how we work — with each other, with clients, and with the world.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. If this People and Relationships Manager role sounds like a fit, we’d love to hear from you.