Senior People & Culture Advisor

About XR

XR is revolutionizing the advertising world by transforming how brands and agencies create, connect, and deliver creative content across all platforms. As the global leader in creative operations, XR provides innovative technology and expert services to marketing and entertainment sectors. The company fosters a dynamic, collaborative environment that prioritizes innovation, risk-taking, and growth, where every employee's voice and ideas are valued.

Role Overview

The Senior People & Culture Advisor is instrumental in offering proactive and commercially astute HR services focused on enhancing the employee experience and operational excellence throughout the employee lifecycle. This role encompasses employee relations, HR operations, payroll, performance management, organizational change, talent development, employee engagement, and policy management.

Responsibilities

• Deliver expert counsel and support to managers on employee relations, including handling disciplinary actions, grievances, absence management, capability, and performance issues.
• Lead and resolve complex employee relations cases fairly and consistently, ensuring compliance with employment laws and organizational policies.
• Assist with investigations, hearings, and appeals as needed.
• Manage daily HR operational tasks to ensure a superior employee experience, including onboarding, probation assessments, contractual changes, and offboarding.
• Maintain and improve HR systems and records, ensuring GDPR and data protection compliance.
• Prepare employment contracts, offer letters, policy documentation, and handle employee communications.
• Support benefits, pensions, and reward program administration.
• Develop and refine HR processes to boost efficiency, compliance, and service quality.
• Monitor HR metrics and report on trends to identify improvement opportunities.
• Coordinate audits, compliance checks, and ensure accurate documentation.
• Act as a primary HR operational contact, providing responsive service to employees and managers.
• Manage payroll processes, liaise with payroll providers, and ensure accuracy in employee data and payroll changes.
• Conduct payroll audits, resolve employee payroll inquiries, and support year-end payroll functions.
• Ensure adherence to payroll regulations, taxation, pensions, and company policies.
• Contribute to learning and development by supporting performance management, talent reviews, succession planning, and fostering a culture of continuous development and accountability.
• Drive employee engagement, wellbeing, and inclusivity initiatives while analyzing feedback to recommend enhancements.
• Maintain compliance with employment laws and company policies through ongoing review and policy updates.
• Analyze workforce data, prepare insightful reports for leadership, and utilize data to guide strategic decisions.
• Support People & Culture projects, identify process improvements, and assist with implementing the People strategy.

Requirements

• Essential: CIPD Level 5 certification or equivalent; CIPD Level 7 preferred.
• Proven experience in a generalist HR/People Advisor capacity.
• Experience supporting international or global teams.
• Strong background managing complex employee relations cases.
• In-depth knowledge of employment law and HR best practices.
• Excellent relationship management, communication, coaching, and influencing skills.
• Ability to analyze HR data and provide actionable insights.
• Capability to juggle multiple priorities effectively in fast-paced environments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and HR information systems.
• Desirable: experience in organizational change management, multi-site or matrix environments, engagement/wellbeing/DE&I programs, and project management.

Why Join XR?

• Meaningful, impactful work influencing media and creative industries worldwide.
• Opportunity to collaborate with over 1,100 professionals serving 140 markets, combining global reach with a local touch.
• A culture focused on innovation, growth, creativity, and collaboration.
• An inclusive environment where your contributions help deliver client stories globally with precision and style.