Job Description
HR Business Partner - Projects & Integration
Location: London, England.
Company Description:
Merkle is a leading data-driven, technology-enabled, global performance marketing agency that specialises in the delivery of unique, personalised customer experiences across platforms and devices. We call it ‘people-based’ marketing, and with over 25 years’ experience, we are proud to be recognised as a global leader.
Merkle’s heritage in data, technology and analytics is the foundation for our understanding of consumer insights that drives our people-based marketing strategies. Combined with our expertise in performance creative and media, we can then offer our clients content-driven, contextual and compelling customer experiences that drive business growth.
In 2016, the agency joined dentsu, one of the world’s biggest media companies to form the Customer Experience Management (CXM) Line of Business.
Job Description:
Dentsu CXM is a business which has grown and changed substantially over the past 4 years via organic growth and acquisition. The CXM Service Line comprises of upwards of 1,000 employees in the UK supporting a revenue budget of c. £115m for 2021. As we continue to acquire businesses, we’re also working to change our structure through the integration of eCommerce capabilities into the CXM service line whilst integrating our business functions into our parent company - to bring synergies between the business units and support the company as we move toward our ‘one company’ culture and structure.
The HR Business Partner role will sit within the dentsu UK HR Business Partnering function, aligned to the CXM service line. The role will primarily be responsible for the delivery of projects associated with integrating the CXM service line including but not limited to the integration of eCommerce into the CXM service line across EMEA, the integration of a recent acquisition into Merkle and the integration of our business functions into dentsu, our parent company.
The individual must have strong change management experience as you will play a critical role in driving forward the integration of the eCommerce business into the dentsu CXM service line – a key component of dentsu’s accelerated business transformation. You will be well versed in working across EMEA, and importantly be able to successfully influence change with SLT and getting projects signed off. Experience in developing and delivering EMEA wide integration /harmonisation projects spanning policy development, reward, talent development is important and experience with Workday would be beneficial – although not necessary. More so, experience in creating comprehensive project plans and managing all aspects of delivery including analysis, project planning, execution of activities and cost. You will enjoy working in a wider people team and be very comfortable with autonomy. Due to the nature of this role - experience in TUPE, Employee Relations and Integration is critical. It’s important to note that there is always a lot to get done and therefore a ‘can do’ attitude is key for the collective success of the team. As we bring our business together, there will be many different projects throughout the year associated with integration and with this does bring some ambiguity to work through and solve BUT we are a very friendly, supportive team who enjoy working together – not only in HR but across the broader business.
Please note that we need to hire this role rapidly as many of the projects will be commencing in the next few weeks. We will therefore be looking to interview and offer rapidly and will prioritise applications from candidates available to start immediately or with a months’ notice. Please inform us of your notice period upon application.
Life as a Senior HR Business Partner at dentsu CXM
- There is never a dull moment in the CXM HR team, having gone through significant change over the last 4 years connected to growth, innovation and integration, the next step in our journey is finalising our integration into dentsu whilst continuing to improve our business for our people, to drive our strategic business goals.
- The HR team culture is certainly one of work and play hard, we enjoy one another’s company and believe that work should be challenging to drive growth but also fun. We’re also very respectful of the different priorities each and everyone of us has – be it work-life balance, development opportunities or the nature of work.
- Our business stakeholders are incredibly smart, driven and determined to make dentsu CXM a great place to work – many of them have created their own DEI objectives (for the whole business) and personally driven the delivery of these objectives. Always approachable, they’re all a pleasure to work with.
A few of the benefits
Whether it’s the joy of working with people at the top of their game or the Merkle social calendar, people love working here – and we hope you will too
- Private Medical Insurance, Company Pension, life insurance and other corporate benefits
- Career development through Merkle University and other tools
- Plenty of holidays including: 25 days holidays, Birthday day off, 3 Wellness Days where we close down the whole office globally for the day and Christmas week off
- A selection of other benefits including ability to buy additional holiday, season ticket loan and 2 volunteer days
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
At Merkle, a dentsu company, we believe that creating diverse and balanced teams is not just a moral imperative, it is a business imperative. To help our clients reach millions of different people every day, we need our people to reflect the society that we represent.
We aim to create an inclusive culture where all talent thrives, and we champion meaningful progress in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) for our people, clients and partners.
DEI is firmly embedded into our shared values - the 8 Ways to Never Before - and our Leadership Framework, which applies to all of our people. And our Global DEI Principles reflect our pledge to be an organisation that promotes wellbeing and inclusivity for everyone - regardless of ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, gender (incl. gender identity and gender expression), age, neurodiversity or physical ability.
We are proud of what makes us different and encourage applicants from all different backgrounds to apply to join us. We are always happy to discuss all flexible and agile approached to working and should you have any reasonable adjustment needs arising from a disability or medical condition to fully participate in the recruitment process, please discuss this with our recruitment teams.
Qualifications:
- TUPE experience is critical for your success in this role however note that the TUPE transitions will be relatively simple – no unions or complex pensions to manage.
- Strong HR project management experience e.g. successful implementation of change programs, post M&A integration, Org Design - Change and Implementation.
- Experience across different HR activities such as talent, performance and reward is desirable as we will be aligning benefits, performance management frameworks and career frameworks as part of the integration.
- Strong employment law knowledge and an ability to identify, assess and advise on risks at both a company and individual level.
- A proven ability to build effective senior level relationships and to be a trusted advisor and confidante. Able to facilitate, persuade and build credibility with senior stakeholders.
- Excellent influencer who has a clear sense of key stakeholders and can adjust their approach to influence change in the business.
- Strong business and commercial acumen along with leadership skills that drive high performance in line with company values.
- A strong team player who acts collaboratively within the HR function.
- To be flexible, resilient, adaptable and able to work in complex and ambiguous situations.
At the point of application, the candidate must have the legal right to work in the UK as we are unable to sponsor visas as this time.
Merkle does not discriminate againstjobapplicants on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Experience stipulated in this job description serves as a guide only and all applications will be considered on their merits, irrespective of experience.
As part of our Diversity and Inclusion agenda, and as an Equal Opportunities employer, if you require reasonable adjustments during the selection process please engage directly with your Recruiter.
Our Culture: Merkle’s energy and personality lives through everything we say and do. Learn all about what defines our people and our vibe.
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