Title: Director, Employee Relations, GroupM EMEAReports To: Executive People Director, GroupM EMEADepartment: People TeamAbout GroupMGroupM is WPP’s media investment group and the world’s leading media investment companywith a mission to shape the next era of media where advertising works better for people. Thecompany is responsible for more than $60 billion in annual media investment, as measured bythe independent research bureau COMvergence. Through its global agencies Mindshare,EssenceMediacom, and Wavemaker. GroupM’s portfolio includes Data & Technology, Investmentand Services, all united in vision to shape the next era of media where advertising works betterfor people. GroupM leverages a unique combination of global scale, expertise, and innovation togenerate sustained value for clients wherever they do business. Discover more atwww.groupm.comRole Summary & ImpactThe UK is the largest market within EMEA region where 4,500+ people are employed within theGroupM ecosystem. Marquee UK key clients include the likes of Amazon, BT, Tesco, Coca Cola,Bayer, Dell, Unilever, M&S, Ford, Nestle, Mazda, Danone, Colgate and Paramount.We have a bold ambition: to make GroupM UK the undisputed leader in our industry, the placewhere everyone aspires to work and build a thriving career. As Director, Employee RelationsEMEA, you will play a key role in helping to bring this vision to life; ensuring we attract, retain,and develop the very best talent in the market.The OpportunityThe Director, Employee Relations EMEA manages a Senior Manager, Employee Relations EMEA,being accountable for Employee Relations GroupM EMEA. 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, GroupM EMEA, 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.Key Responsibilities:• Interpret 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 GroupM 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.Equal Opportunity Employer:We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do notdiscriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation,age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status
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