Senior People Manager (Mat Cover)

Location: London, United Kingdom; hybrid work with required in-office days

Company

Map Project Office, part of the hirify.global Group and WPP, designs products and technologies that combine design and innovation for leading brands and start-ups.

What you will do

• Partner with studio leadership and the global People team to design and deliver people initiatives aligned with business objectives.
• Drive employee engagement, retention, career management, performance reviews, and a strong manager and leadership culture.
• Develop and improve people processes, policies, tools, and systems using workforce trends and metrics.
• Support hiring and onboarding for full-time and contract workers, manage employee relations, and deliver learning and development programs.
• Process and review monthly payroll using ADP; advise on global mobility, visas, immigration, secondments, and local compliance.
• Handle finance and studio operations, including audits, budgeting, security and safety, events, suppliers, landlord coordination, and office design.

Requirements

• Experience in an HR management or HR business partnership role supporting a creative and/or professional services business.
• Strong executive presence and communication skills.
• Ability to partner with remote teams across different markets.
• Ability to work independently, multitask, prioritise, and follow through effectively.
• Initiative to continually improve People programs, policies, and processes.
• Ability to adapt to changing schedules and priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where structure and processes may not be apparent.
• Pragmatic, outcome-oriented approach with the ability to use data to tell a story and make recommendations.

Culture & Benefits

• Fixed-term contract for approximately 9–12 months covering maternity leave.
• Hybrid working with required in-office days to support creativity, collaboration, and connection.
• Collaborative, curious culture focused on quality, continuous improvement, and employee engagement.
• Equal opportunity workplace committed to respect, inclusion, and equal career progression.

Hiring process

• The position is no longer open to applicants.