Job Purpose: To support the Upperdog team by leading and managing HR operations, with a key focus on employee engagement, behaviour frameworks and day-to-day HR support.
Who are Upperdog?
Upperdog is a digital marketing agency based in Bournemouth with clients across the globe. We're a team of digital pioneers who live by our motto 'work hard and be nice to people'. If you want to know more, take a look at our website or have a nose on Instagram.
Due to continuous growth, we are looking for a driven and organised Head of People to join our team. If after reading this job description it sounds like the ideal role for you, please email us with an introductory email and a copy of your CV.
Job Summary: You will play a key role in driving Upperdog's HR function, supporting recruitment, onboarding, training, and employee engagement. You'll be responsible for managing our HR system, overseeing team development plans, and ensuring all HR policies and processes are up-to-date and effective. While HR is the primary focus, the role will also include occasional office management tasks to maintain an organised and welcoming workplace. This role is a standalone HR role where you will be responsible in leading the agency's end-to-end people operations.
Hours: Full time 40 hours per week, or negotiable part time hours - attendance still required across 5 working days. This role requires being able to work from our central office in-person in Bournemouth on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Responsibilities
Day-to-day HR support
· End-to-end management of people operations for the agency
· Be available daily to employees for HR support, both in a planned and unplanned capacity
· Provide HR advice and support to the business/employees across all HR topics, including absence management and grievances
· Handle general HR administration tasks
HR system management
· Manage and maintain our HR system with employee data and information, schedule and track 1-1s, monitor objectives, and document performance reviews.
· Set up notifications for employees and managers to prepare for 1-1s and ensure agendas are shared in advance.
· Maintain accurate records of employee feedback, training, and progress.
· Recommend and implement secure efficiencies utilising AI to reduce manual work.
Employee Engagement & Relations:
· Review and implement employee engagement frameworks.
· Oversee compensation reviews, salary benchmarking, and reward strategies.
· Oversee 360-degree feedback and collate responses for team evaluations.
· Support managers in setting team objectives and tracking progress.
· Join formal 1-1 meetings and take notes and manage actions.
Training and Development:
· Create and manage an annual training programme for all team members.
· Develop and maintain a skills matrix and career progression framework for roles
· Research and recommend training platforms and providers.
· Monitor and evaluate training outcomes to ensure continuous development.
· Collaborate with management to set and manage the annual training budget.
· Coach and empower line managers on HR practices.
Recruitment, Onboarding and Offboarding:
· Manage the hiring process, including posting job ads, screening candidates and hosting interviews.
· Produce and manage offer letters, contracts and reference requests.
· Onboarding new team members and offboarding leavers.
Policies and Processes:
· Update and implement HR policies and ensure compliance with employment regulations.
· Manage disciplinaries and facilitate difficult conversations.
Office Management
· Ensure the office remains organised and welcoming for visitors.
· Occasionally support administrative tasks, such as coordinating team events and answering the phone.
Essential Skills and Experience
· Previous HR experience, within a digital/marketing/tech/creative agency OR a SME of 20-50 people.
· Proficiency in managing HR tools or systems, such as People HR or similar platforms.
· Knowledge of UK employment law and HR compliance practices.
· Strong understanding of recruitment processes, including hiring for creative or technical roles.
· Proven experience in organising and managing training programmes, skills matrixes, or progression frameworks.
· Exceptional organisational and multitasking skills to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
· Background in managing employee engagement initiatives, such as performance reviews, 1-1s, and team development plans.
· Exposure to compensation reviews, salary benchmarking, and reward strategies.
· Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to work collaboratively with different teams.
· High attention to detail, especially when handling sensitive HR documentation and data.
Personal Attributes
· Proactive, self-motivated, and driven to improve HR processes.
· Friendly but firm, professional, and approachable.
· Able to work independently and as part of a team.
· Adaptable and capable of managing multiple priorities.
· Passionate about efficiencies and AI to speed up manual processes.
What benefits can Upperdog offer you?
· 30 days' holiday plus Bank Holidays.
· Monthly team lunches.
· Quarterly team-building activities.
· Private medical insurance.
· Parking or gym membership contribution.
· Pension scheme.
· A great office location near Bournemouth's gardens and beach.
Salary: Dependent on candidate experience.
Application Process
First stage interview – A short Teams call to learn more about you and your experience while providing details about the role.
Second stage interview – An in-person interview at Upperdog HQ in Bournemouth, involving a more in-depth discussion and scenario-based questions to understand how you approach and resolve specific HR situations.
For more information and to ensure your details reach the correct person, please submit a copy of your CV and a cover letter. You will hear back within 28 days to confirm if we'd like to invite you to interview; due to a high volume of applications if you do not hear back, please assume you have not been selected for interview. Please no recruitment agencies.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Application question(s):
* Do you live in Dorset and can travel to Bournemouth (BH2 5BD) twice a week for this job on Tuesdays and Wednesdays?
Experience:
* HR: 3 years (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Bournemouth BH2 5BD