Executive Director, People Partnering

Executive Director, People Partnering - WPP Media

Location: London, UK

WPP is a creative transformation company, leveraging the power of creativity to build better futures for our people
, planet, clients, and communities. WPP Media, our global media collective, operates at the intersection of media and innovation. In a world where media permeates everything, we unite the best platforms, talent, and partners to unlock limitless growth opportunities. Learn more at

The UK represents WPP Media's largest market within the EMEA region, employing over 4,500 dedicated professionals. We partner with marquee clients including Amazon, BT, Tesco, Coca-Cola, Bayer, Dell, Unilever, M&S, Ford, Nestlé, Mazda, Danone, and Colgate.

We hold a bold ambition: to establish WPP Media UK as the undisputed leader in our industry – the place where exceptional talent aspires to work and build thriving careers. As our People Partnering Executive Director, you will be instrumental in bringing this vision to life, ensuring we attract, retain, and develop the very best in the market.

WPP Media is undergoing a significant transformation, evolving our business operating model and placing data, technology, and AI at the heart of everything we do for our people and our clients. This pivotal role is an opportunity to lead the evolution of our UK People function, transforming it into a future-facing, data-driven, and technologically advanced capability that strategically underpins WPP Media's overarching growth strategy.

Reporting to the UK Chief People Officer, you will be a passionate advocate for an exceptional employee journey and the architect of a truly high-performing culture across our UK operations.

• Strategic People Partnering: Act as a trusted advisor to senior business leaders, including supporting the WPP Media UK CEO. Provide strategic guidance on organizational design, talent, performance, compensation, employee relations, and leadership development, influencing business decisions and driving organizational effectiveness.
• Team Leadership & Development: Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of People Leaders, fostering a collaborative, data-driven, and results-oriented environment within a complex matrixed HR structure. Promote continuous learning and professional growth.
• Talent Management: Partner with our Centers of Value to implement comprehensive talent acquisition, development, and retention strategies, ensuring alignment with business needs and championing a diverse and inclusive workforce.
• Change & Transformation Leadership: Drive significant organizational change initiatives (restructuring, culture change, leadership development), navigating complex scenarios. Design and implement strategic solutions to impact culture and drive desired behavioral changes, particularly at executive leadership levels.
• Employee Relations Oversight: Provide expert guidance on complex UK employee relations issues, ensuring compliance and promoting a positive, productive work environment. Partner closely with the Employee Relations Centre of Value.
• Compensation & Benefits: In collaboration with the Compensation team, articulate WPP Media's reward philosophy, guide managers on compensation decisions, and effectively communicate programs to employees.
• People Operations & Analytics: Partner with the Operations lead on People operations, Workday management, data analytics, and reporting. Leverage data to identify trends, measure People effectiveness, and inform strategic decisions.
• Client Focus: Cultivate a client-centric mindset, ensuring exceptional service delivery and strong relationships with both internal and external clients, supporting client teams with people-related aspects as needed.
• Collaboration: Build strong, effective relationships across all People functions and Centers of Value (Talent Acquisition, Compensation, DEI, etc.) and the broader organization.
• Compliance: Ensure adherence to local laws and regulations, staying abreast of best practices and trends.

• Within 3 Months: You'l…