People Manager (Maternity Cover)
London-based | Multi-site | International exposure
Maternity Cover | Start ASAP
A senior people role with real influence.
We’re working with a creative, fast-paced organisation looking for a People Manager to lead their people function during a maternity cover period.
This is a standalone HR role with genuine scope, autonomy, and visibility. You’ll partner closely with senior leaders, shape culture, and ensure people practices are best in class across London and international offices.
If you thrive in creative environments, enjoy being hands-on, and believe HR should be a strategic driver (not just a support function), this could be a brilliant next step.
The Role
As People Manager, you’ll take ownership of the full employee lifecycle and act as the trusted people lead across the group.
You’ll be responsible for:
*End-to-end onboarding and offboarding
*Acting as the primary HR contact for employees and leadership
*Partnering with senior leaders on performance reviews and pay review cycles
*Championing initiatives that strengthen culture, engagement, and retention
*Supporting and documenting succession planning
*Maintaining accurate and compliant employee records
*Tracking and reporting on key HR metrics including:
*Sickness
*Attrition
*Capability mapping
*Appraisals and objectives
*Ensuring consistency and best practice across multiple UK offices and International HQ’s.
About You
You’re confident, organised, and passionate about people and culture.
You’ll ideally bring:
*Experience operating as a sole HR lead or in a highly autonomous role
*Strong stakeholder management skills and confidence working with senior leaders
*A proactive, improvement-led mindset
*A belief that HR and recruitment play a pivotal role in business success
Nice to have (but not essential):
*CIPD qualifications
*Exposure to international employment law
*An interest in working in a creative environment
Why This Role?
*High-impact, visible role with real ownership
*Exposure to senior leadership and strategic decision-making
*Creative, collaborative working environment
*Opportunity to shape culture and people processes
*Ideal for someone who enjoys autonomy and variety